CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
MajorsOct 20, 2020
Royal Chain Names Its First ‘Heroes’
The company is honoring people who have made a difference in their communities.
This is Jory Zimmerman. The Maryland-based critical care nurse practitioner moved to New York City when the pandemic took hold to assist patients at its epicenter. Zimmerman is one of the first four “heroes” Royal Chain is honoring.
New York—In a difficult year, Royal Chain is honoring people who have made a difference in their communities.
The jewelry manufacturer has named its first set of “Royal Chain Heroes.”
Announced this summer, the corporate social responsibility initiative called on Royal Chain retailers to collect and submit stories of local heroes.
Now, Royal Chain has announced its first set of four honorees from around the country and is sharing their stories online.
The first hero, Michelle Patterson, was a submission through Barbara Parker’s Diamond Vault in Conroe, Texas.
Patterson is a business executive and philanthropist whose contributions include founding the Global Women Foundation, a non-profit that advocates for various women’s initiatives. She is also a stage four breast cancer survivor.
Royal Chain has gifted Patterson a rose gold, diamond and amethyst bracelet.
The second hero, nominated through Bridgeton, Missouri’s Romantique Jewelers, is registered nurse Avery Culpepper.
Culpepper has been a frontline healthcare hero during the pandemic, putting others’ needs above her own, Royal Chain said. She received aquamarine earrings.
The third hero is Elaine Canty, nominated through Toodie’s Fine Jewelry in Quincy, Massachusetts.
Canty is a nurse who delayed her retirement after 40 years of work to aid in the pandemic healthcare efforts. When she began her nursing career in the 1980s, she recalls being on the battlegrounds of the AIDS pandemic.
She is officially retired this fall but has inspired her daughter to pursue a nursing career. Royal Chain gave Canty its “Italian Cable” bangle.
Lastly, the owner of Windy City Diamonds in Chicago nominated his son, Jory Zimmerman, as one of Royal Chain’s first round of heroes.
Zimmerman worked in the jewelry industry until a hiking accident inspired him to pursue a passion for helping others. When the pandemic hit, the critical care nurse practitioner traveled from his home in Maryland to New York City to assist at the epicenter of COVID-19.
Royal Chain has given Zimmerman a bracelet from the “Woven” collection.
The manufacturer said its next round of heroes will be announced in November and encourages its retail partners across North America to nominate people in their communities through a form on RoyalChainHeroes.org.
The Latest
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
