The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
Appointments: Kering moves Sowind CEO to Gucci
Michele Sofisti will step down from his role as CEO of the Sowind Group to focus on running Gucci Watches and Jewelry as part of a reorganization at parent company Kering.
Each company in Kering’s Luxury Watches and Jewelry division, which includes Sowind and Gucci, now will be managed by a dedicated CEO, according to the company. No other details have yet been given by the company about the renewed organizational structure.
Sofisti’s appointment to the new role will be effective Oct. 1. His replacement at Sowind will be named in the coming weeks, Kering said.
Sofisti joined Gucci Group Watches as the strategic advisor in 2009. He was promoted to CEO in 2010 and then was named CEO of the Sowind Group as well in 2011.
The watch and jewelry division is a relatively new development for Kering, which just established it in May, initially leaving each brand under the operational responsibility of their respective CEOs.
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Sterling Jewelers has named Judy Fisher as corporate vice president, merchandising, to replace Dawn McGuire, who retired on May 16 after 25 years with the company.
In her new role, Fisher will oversee all aspects of the Sterling Merchandising Department, comprised of the mall, Jared, regional and outlet channels.
Fisher joined Sterling in 2008 as director for the diamond fashion and ring categories within the Merchandising Mall channel, and also has served as director for the Jared channel and merchandising divisional vice president, overseeing the mall and outlet channels.
In addition, Sterling promoted Ellen Mackenzie-Nutter to divisional vice president, merchandising, to succeed Fisher in the role. In the new position, she will be responsible for the development and execution of top-level business strategies and plans for the company’s mall channel.
Mackenzie-Nutter has been with the company since 1996, holding a number of positions including corporate timepiece buyer, senior buyer diamond fashion and, most recently, director, mall bridal, colored gemstone, and men’s.
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Manfra, Tordella & Brookes Inc. (MTB) has hired Michael Barlerin Associates to provide sales and marketing services for its bullion-based jewelry line and promotional products. The line includes silver and gold ingot pendants, customizable packaged precious metal ingots and a silver calendar positioned for corporate gift-giving.
MTB was founded in 1957 and is
The Latest

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

The author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.


Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

























