TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
MajorsMar 31, 2016
Todd Wolleman Elected JBT Board Chair
Wolleman recently headed the search process to replace outgoing JBT President and CEO Dione Kenyon.
Warwick, R.I.--The Jewelers Board of Trade just announced the results of its annual elections, held during meetings in February and March.
Todd Wolleman, of Leo Wolleman, Inc. in New York, was elected to a one-year term as chairman of the JBT Board.
Wolleman recently chaired the search process to select a new president and CEO to replace Dione Kenyon, who has announced she will retire from the JBT this year as soon as a replacement is found.
First vice chairman is Michael Kaplan of Rocket Jewelry Box Inc. in Bronx, N.Y., while Ann Arnold, of Norwood, N.J.-based Arnold Advisory Group, was elected to serve as second vice chairwoman.
Kenyon remains the organization’s president and was elected treasurer while Brenda M. Pimentel retains her post as secretary.
Richard Katz of Samuel Aaron Inc. was appointed to the JBT Executive Committee.
Newly elected to the board for a two-year term were Ira Bergman, president of The Gordon Company Inc.; Lux Bond & Green Chief Financial Officer David Bonney; and Nilesh Sheth, president of Forever Collections Inc. in New York.
Re-elected to the board for a period of two years were: Arnold, Anthony Capuano of HSBC Bank USA, Edward DeCristofaro of LDC Inc., Roderick Lichtenfels of W. R. Cobb Company, Richard Weisenfeld of East Greenwich, R.I. and Wolleman.
Newly elected to the organization’s Advisory Board for a two-year term was Phyllis Bergman of Mercury Ring, while Richard Greenwood of A. F. Greenwood Co. Inc. and F. Daniel Pharr of Pharr Valuation & Business Svcs. LLC were re-elected.
In addition, the JBT announced that the nine following board members will continue to serve their existing terms:
--Jared Ashland of Appleton, Wisc.;
--Danielle Ingwer Cohen, Leo Ingwer Inc. in New York;
-- Brian Fleming, Carla Corporation in E. Providence, R.I.;
-- Kevin Green, Seiko Corporation of America in Mahwah, N.J.;
-- Kaplan of Rocket Jewelry Box;
-- Katz of Samuel Aaron Inc.;
-- Richard LeStage, LeStage Manufacturing Co. in Attleboro Falls, Mass.;
-- Avi Raz, A & Z Pearls, Inc., Los Angeles; and
-- Pinny Rubin of Quality Gold Inc. in Fairfield, Ohio.
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
