The industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
WJA Names its ‘Shining Stars’ for 2016
The 12 honorees will be recognized at the association’s annual In the Spotlight event, slated for March 10 in New York.

New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association has named its Shining Stars for 2016, those regional members who have given extraordinary service to their respective chapters over the past year.
The 12 honorees will be recognized at the WJA’s annual In the Spotlight event, scheduled for March 10 at Convene in New York, immediately following the In the Know conference.
Below are the WJA’s Shining Stars for 2016, listed alphabetically by chapter.
Martha Seely serves as co-chair of the events committee for the Boston chapter, and also is the designer behind her eponymous fine jewelry brand. She has studied with master jewelers exploring and refining various jewelry-making techniques, and her work has been carried in galleries and at various retail events and venues.
Rebecca Hinrichs Reynoso is a photographer specializing in fine jewelry and a member of the Chicago chapter. She launched her photography company A.Ver.Foto in 2015, and now has a studio on Chicago’s Jewelers Row.
Jackie Brooks chairs the scholarship committee for the WJA Colorado chapter. She works for her family’s advertising business, Bottom Line Marketing, where she oversees the jewelry division and creative department.
Robert Loving from the Dallas chapter is the vice president of sales at Time Delay Corp., a family business he has been involved with since 1991.
Sabrina Bindra is the director of sales and marketing at B&B Fine Gems and co-president of the Los Angeles chapter. A graduate gemologist and accredited jewelry professional, she also is a member of the 24 Karat Club of Southern California, the GIA Alumni Association and the Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association.
JCK magazine’s Market Editor Jennifer Heebner is the president-elect of the New York Metro chapter. An award-winning journalist, she writes about jewelry industry-specific business issues as they relate to retailers.
Sarah Thomas is an active board member of the Northern California chapter and works with Jahan Diamonds on the Square in San Francisco. A graduate gemologist, Thomas focuses her WJA efforts on special events and improving the member experience.
Meg Carroll chairs publicity and communications for the Ohio/Kentucky chapter. She is a Fashion Institute of Technology graduate and opened her own store, Meg C Jewelry Gallery, in 2012 in downtown Lexington.
Maureen Murphy is secretary of the Providence chapter and works for precious metals findings company Lee’s Manufacturing.
Pheap Lorn-Canossi of Phenomenon Jewels serves as the San Diego chapter’s secretary and public relations chair. She has her Graduate Diamonds and
Jessica Neiwert is the founder of the Seattle chapter, and currently serves as past president and vice president. She also is a fine jewelry designer and freelances in graphic design, photography and illustration.
Carol Brady handles membership and social media for the Twin Cities chapter and also serves on the board of the Minnesota/North Dakota Jewelers Association.
“Congratulations to WJA’s dedicated volunteers, who give their precious time to help women in the jewelry and watch industries advance and develop professionally through networking, education and leadership development,” WJA President Brandee Dallow said. “These individuals embody WJA’s mission and we look forward to honoring them.”
To purchase tickets for the In the Spotlight event, visit the WJA website.
The Latest

Founder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.

The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Steven Lerche is now beginning his term as the youngest member to become president of The Plumb Club’s elected executive committee.


Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.

The jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.

Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.

One is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.

In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.

9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.

The jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.

Marquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.

The inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.

The family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.

Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.

The reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.

Sponsored by American Gem Trade Association

In the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.

The 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.

Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.

The expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.

The lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.

The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.

Two suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.























