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.
MajorsApr 04, 2018
JBT Confirms Richard Weisenfeld as President
He has been serving as acting president since October, when Anthony Capuano went on medical leave.
After serving as acting president since the fall, Richard Weisenfeld has been confirmed as president of the Jewelers Board of Trade.
Providence, R.I.--The board of directors of the Jewelers Board of Trade has confirmed the appointment of Richard Weisenfeld as president.
He has been serving in the position since October 2017, when Anthony Capuano announced he would be out on medical leave. Capuano then announced his retirement earlier this year.
Weisenfeld has served on the JBT board for 17 years. He was elected to the executive committee in 2008 and also served as chairman from 2014 to 2015.
He also has experience in executive positions in various jewelry companies over the last 45 years, including Pranda North America and most recently Riva Precision Manufacturing in Brooklyn, New York.
Weisenfeld is a member of the 24 Karat Club, Providence Jewelers Club, Boston Jewelers Club, Women’s Jewelry Association and International Precious Metals Institute.
He lives in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, with his wife, Jan.
His appointment follows closely on the heels of the announcement that Michael Kaplan, president of packaging and display company Rocket, is the new chairman of the board.
The board also recently elected the following officers and directors to serve a one-year term.
--First Vice-Chairman: Ann S. Arnold, Buyers International Group, LLC
--Second Vice-Chairman: Richard Katz, Richline Group, Inc.
--Secretary: Brenda M. Pimentel
--Treasurer: Richard Weisenfeld
Brian D. Fleming of Carla Corporation also was appointed to the JBT Executive Committee.
The following people were elected to the board for a two-year term.
-- Keven Peck, Color Merchants, Inc.
--Jeffrey Sarfaty, Head of Credit Division, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC
Directors re-elected to the board for two years are as follows.
--Ann S. Arnold, Buyers International Group
--Ira Bergman, The Gordon Company, Inc.
--David Bonney, Lux Bond & Green, Inc.
--Edward N. DeCristofaro, LDC, Inc.
--Roderick H. Lichtenfels, W. R. Cobb Company
--Nilesh Sheth, Forever Collections, Inc.
--Todd Wolleman, Leo Wolleman, Inc.
Re-elected to the advisory board for a period of two years are the following.
--Phyllis Bergman, Mercury Ring (Div. of Kiran Jewels USA)
--Richard Greenwood, A. F. Greenwood Co., Inc.
These board members will continue to serve existing terms.
--Danielle Ingwer Cohen, Leo Ingwer Inc.
--Jeffery Corey, H. E. Murdock Company Inc.
--Brian D. Fleming, Carla Corporation
--Kevin Green, Seiko Corporation of America
--Michael L. Kaplan, Rocket Jewelry Box, Inc.
--Richard Katz, Richline Group, Inc.
--Michael Pelto, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company
--Avi Raz, A & Z Pearls, Inc.
--Pinny Rubin, Quality Gold Inc.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports HistoryThe museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure ProgramThe new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.
CollectionsMay 04, 2026
Melanie Georgacopoulos Turns Pearls Into Light for ‘Eclipse’ CollectionThe “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.
ColumnistsMay 04, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
