CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
MajorsFeb 08, 2018
2018 Retailer Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
Dror Zadok, Cathy Tivol and Pam Mortensen are the jewelers in this year’s class of inductees.
The 2018 inductees into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame are, from left to right, Dror Zadok, Cathy Tivol and Pam Mortensen.
New York--National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame is back, and the 2018 inductees have been announced.
The publication first introduced the Retailer Hall of Fame in 1989 as a way to recognize jewelers who have made significant contributions to jewelry retailing and inspired their peers.
Each year between 1989 and 2012, National Jeweler inducted retailers in three categories based on their store’s size: single-store independent, multi-store independent and major corporations.
After a short hiatus, the Hall of Fame returned last year with a new set of winners.
For 2018, the inductees are as follows.
Single-store Independent: Dror Zadok of Zadok Jewelers in Houston
Multi-store Independent: Cathy Tivol of Tivol in Kansas City, Missouri
Majors: Pam Mortensen of J.C. Penney in Plano, Texas
Dror Zadok of is the president of Zadok Jewelers, a company he started with his wife more than four decades ago after a visit to the United States from Israel inspired them to start a new business here.
The sixth and seventh generation family-run business is located in The Galleria/Uptown area of Houston. Now encompassing more than 12,000 square feet—10 times its original size—their Houston showroom is among the largest in the country and serves customers across the world.
Zadok Jewelers is thought of as one of the city’s premier luxury jewelers.
Cathy Tivol serves as CEO of Tivol, a retail store started by her grandfather, Charles, more than a century ago and in which her father, Harold, also played a vital role in helping to build.
Under her leadership, Tivol has continued to flourish. She has helped the business grow to include two 6,000-square-foot locations in Kansas City, Missouri and Overland Park, Kansas by ensuring that both stores offer consistency, high quality product and customer service for her clients.
With her son Hunter Tivol McGrath joining the family company in 2011, there are now four generations of family involved.
Cathy Tivol also serves on the board of Jewelers of America.
Pam Mortensen is the senior vice president and general merchandise manager for J.C. Penney. She joined the company in 2009 to support its jewelry, watches and fashion accessories.
Mortensen has been integral in implementing popular customer concepts for the retailer like its “Modern Bride” and “Bijoux Bar” lines to provide a fashion and style destination appealing to consumers.
Prior to her position at J.C. Penney, Mortensen held senior roles at Walmart, including vice president and divisional
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
merchandise manager of fine jewelry and watches and vice president and divisional merchandise manager for service merchandise.
Mortensen also serves on the board of Jewelers for Children.
Mortensen also serves on the board of Jewelers for Children.
More on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby'sOf the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
