Our Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
Richemont Names Jérôme Lambert Group CEO
The news came amid its five-month fiscal results, in which sales were up 25 percent led by its jewelry division.

Geneva—Richemont has announced the promotion of Group COO Jérôme Lambert to Group CEO, effective immediately.
Lambert has served in a number of top roles at Richemont, including heading up both Jaeger-LeCoultre and Montblanc. More recently, he oversaw the company’s specialist watchmakers division before taking on the role of COO last year.
Richemont’s specialist watchmakers, online distributors and other businesses, as well as central and regional functions, will now report directly to him.
Lambert will continue to be supported by Sophie Guieysse, group human resources director; Federico Marchetti, CEO of YOOX Net-a-Porter Group; Emmanuel Perrin, head of the Specialist Watchmaker Maisons; and Eric Vallat, head of Fashion and Accessories Maisons.
He will work with Cartier CEO Cyrille Vigneron, Van Cleef & Arpels CEO Nicolas Bos and Burkhart Grund, chief finance officer on the Richemont board.
The position has been empty since March 2017, when then-CEO Richard Lepeu retired and Richemont decided to restructure the responsibilities of senior management, doing away with the position and instead giving the heads of each brand and division more autonomy.
In the press release announcing Lambert’s appointment, the company said it came at a time when “consumer habits are changing significantly.” It also said that as they aim to meet those challenges, he will lead the development of “strategic plans reflecting the long-term objectives and priorities established by the board.”
The news of his appointment came at the same time as Richemont’s reporting of its five-month results ended Aug. 31.
The company said sales for the period were up 25 percent at constant exchange rates and 22 percent at actual exchange rates.
Excluding Yoox-Net-a-Porter Group and the recently acquired Watchfinder—as the two have only been consolidated into its accounts since May 1 and June 1, respectively—sales for the five-month period increased by 10 percent at constant exchange rates and 7 percent at actual exchange rates.
The company said its double-digit sales growth was driven primarily by a strong performance from its jewelry houses—Cartier, Piaget and Van Cleef & Arpels—where sales were up 14 percent.
It also attributed the growth to the first-time consolidation of its online distributors division; in this new business area, which regrouped Yoox-Net-a-Porter Group and Watchfinder, sales grew at a double digit rate.
RELATED CONTNET: Van Cleef Picks a New President for the AmericasBy market, Richemont said all regions except the Middle East posted growth, led by “solid momentum” in Asia Pacific and the Americas.
Wholesale sales were up 2 percent as the company continued to focus on aligning inventories with client demand.
As for the rest of Richemont’s product categories, its other businesses reported a 4 percent sales growth, with most of its houses performing positively.
The Latest

The 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.

Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.


McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.

Nelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.

With refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.

The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.

The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.

The MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.

The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.

Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.

The collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.

In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

The group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

The retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.

The award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.

The “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.

The unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.

Bulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.

Awards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.

The top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.

Moses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.

Increased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.

The earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.

“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.























