This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Contemporary Jewelry Design Group Elects New Board
Julie Romanenko of jewelry brand Just Jules is the group’s new president.
New York--The Contemporary Jewelry Design Group, the nonprofit association of independent jewelry designers, has announced the members of its executive board for the next two-year term, from 2016 to 2018.
Former CJDG Vice President Julie Romanenko, the designer behind brand Just Jules, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary, will now serve as the board’s president.
“I love what the CJDG stands for and am grateful for the opportunity to be president,” she said. “I would love to see us, this amazing group of talented designers, figure out a way to give back. I was raised knowing that giving charity and being philanthropic was not just a ‘good thing to do’ but essential. There are many ways that we, as an association, can increase our involvement with charities and other organizations to enrich our world.”
Romanenko takes over for outgoing board President and Zaiken Jewelry designer Malak Atut, who also previously held the position of vice president.
Filling the 2016 to 2018 role of vice president will be Amali designer Sara Freedenfeld.
Rebecca Overmann of Rebecca Overmann Jewelry will continue to serve as a member of the executive board, as will Elizabeth and Jack Gualtieri of Zaffiro.
In addition, Vicente Agor of Vicente Agor Precious Jewelry will continue to serve as the Couture committee chair.
For more information on the Contemporary Jewelry Design Group, visit CJDG.Jewelry.
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller