IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
MajorsDec 14, 2020
Owner of Ross-Simons Acquired by Private Equity Firm
Nonatum Capital Partners bought Luxury Brand Holdings Inc. for an undisclosed sum.
These 0.94-carat Diamond Starburst drop earrings in 14-karat white gold retail for $1,895 on the Ross-Simons website. Ross-Simons parent company, Luxury Brand Holdings, has been acquired by private equity firm Nonatum Capital Partners.
Boston—Private equity firm Nonatum Capital Partners has acquired Luxury Brand Holdings Inc., the companies announced last week.
Luxury Brand Holdings is the parent company of retailers Ross-Simons and Sidney Thomas and has a majority stake in Luca + Danni, a Rhode Island-based direct-to-consumer jewelry brand known for its inexpensive, stackable and collectable bangle bracelets.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but CEO Jim Speltz told National Jeweler in an interview Friday that the company’s leadership will remain unchanged, as will its location and channels of business.
Speltz took over as CEO from Darrell Ross at the beginning of the year.
At that time, Ross stepped back from the day-to-day operations of the business to spend more time with his family. He remains on the company’s board and will still represent Ross-Simons at trade shows (whenever they return), Speltz said.
Headquartered in Boston, Nonatum Capital Partners is a middle-market private equity firm. Its specialties include investing in family- or founder-run businesses.
Goodwin Procter advised Nonatum on the transaction, while Consensus Advisors and law firm Hinckley Allen acted as advisors to Luxury Brand Holdings.
Ross’ father, Sidney Thomas Ross, opened the first Ross-Simons store in downtown Providence, Rhode Island in 1952.
At its peak in the early 2000s, the retailer had 15 stores and its business was about 50 percent fine jewelry and 50 percent tabletop and giftware, a category driven primarily by bridal registries, Speltz said.
That business all but evaporated as changing consumer tastes led to a steep drop in demand for china patterns and crystal vases, and Ross-Simons shifted its focus to e-commerce, backed by the catalog business it had been operating since the ‘80s.
Today, Luxury Brand Holdings has three stores—a flagship in Warwick, Rhode Island along with Sidney Thomas stores in Newark, Delaware and Short Hills, New Jersey—which are all part of the Nonatum acquisition.
Brick-and-mortar retail, however, represents a “very small slice” of the Luxury Brand Holdings’ business, Speltz said.
The company doesn’t plan to open additional physical stores.
It will instead focus on expanding e-commerce both in the United States and internationally, and growing fashion jewelry categories (the company does not sell any bridal) where it sees opportunity, such as personalized and custom jewelry.
“From a strategic standpoint, we will continue to focus on our value proposition—high-quality jewelry that will exceed expectations for the price you are paying,” Speltz said.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Luxury Brand Holdings ranks No. 11 on National Jeweler’s 2020 $100 Million Supersellers list, with an estimated $553 million sales in 2019.
More on Majors
The Latest
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
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.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 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.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 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 & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
