Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Judi Powers Takes Over As President of CJDG
She succeeds Julie Bergstein Romanenko, who just completed her three-year term as head of the Contemporary Jewelry Design Group.

New York—The Contemporary Jewelry Design Group announced via Facebook that it has a new president of the executive board, jewelry designer Judi Powers.
Powers was appointed to the post this month, taking over for Julie Bergstein Romanenko of Just Jules Jewelry.
Powers handcrafts her eponymous line in Hudson, New York, drawing inspiration from nature and architecture. She began studying jewelry-making in 2002 and earned her AAS in jewelry design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2013.
As president, she said she wants to deepen communication, provide even greater service to members and build relevant partnerships.
“What I love most about CJDG is our community. Our members are dynamic, engaged, generous and fiercely committed to outstanding jewelry design,” she said. “When I became a member, I felt like I’d found my people, and it’s that feeling that I hope to engender among our membership during my term as president of the CJDG executive board.”
Romanenko served a three-year term that ended June 1.
“When I became president,” she said, “I wanted to do more than self-promote the group’s talents. [I wanted to] figure out a way to also give back to the industry I have loved for many years.”
During her term, she oversaw the launch of the Cindy Edelstein Memorial Auction, the event organized in memory of the late designer advocate and held at Couture in 2017 and 2018.
Romanenko said she hopes the event continues after this year’s hiatus.
The Contemporary Jewelry Design Group is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the craft of creative jewelry design and maintaining the highest standards of integrity and ethics in business and in design.
As president, Powers will work alongside Executive Director Marylouise Sirignano Lugosch, Erika Winters, Dana Bronfman, and Elizabeth and Jack Gualtieri of Zaffiro Jewelry, as well as past executive board members.
The Latest

David Walton will serve three years’ probation after an incident in a hotel bar led to the death of West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger.

The retailer also provided an update on how the tariffs situation in the U.S. is affecting its business.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

The family-owned jeweler in Great Falls, Virginia, will be celebrating its golden jubilee with a year’s worth of events.


The nonprofit elected five judges who will decide the winners of its design competition.

This year’s edition includes articles on the favorite tools of notable designers, evaluating when to outsource production, and more.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

The jeweler’s high jewelry collection features extraordinary gemstones, like a 241.06-carat emerald and the world’s fourth-largest spinel.

In a special column for the State of the Majors, Edahn Golan breaks down what the top-performing fine jewelry sellers are doing right.

The bolo tie necklace is inspired by “Queen Bey” and set with a nearly 15-carat black diamond.

The nonprofit focused on mining communities in East Africa has added three new members to its advisory council.

Current Diamond Council of America President and CEO Terry Chandler is set to retire in January 2026.

The company's Series A shares will continue to trade following a reverse stock split while its Series B shares will be delisted.

Communicating clearly with your staff is key to navigating turbulent times, writes columnist Peter Smith.

The “Inner Journey” collection debuted as the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary, with designs inspired by Morais’ journey.

Tanishq is expanding its presence in the United States with a new store in Santa Clara, California, which is its largest in the country.

Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.

Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.

The retailer’s new flagship is set to open in October at the Tuscan Village development in Salem, New Hampshire.

Sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are finding their place in a U.S. market captivated by the gemstones once referred to as “semi-precious.”

Plus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.

Peter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.

The necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.

Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show

A private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.

The designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.