IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
Events & AwardsFeb 27, 2017
WJA Names 2017 Hall of Fame Honorees
The JVC’s Cecilia Gardner, Hyde Park Jewelers’ Michael Pollak and Day’s Jewelers will be honored on July 24 in New York.
The WJA will honor Cecilia Gardner, left, with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Michael Pollak, right, with the Ben Kaiser Award.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.--The Women’s Jewelry Association has announced the Hall of Fame honorees for its annual Awards for Excellence gala this summer.
Cecilia Gardner, president and CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award; Michael Pollak, CEO of Hyde Park Jewelers, will receive the Ben Kaiser Award; and Day’s Jewelers will receive the Corporate Award.
Gardner has been with the JVC for almost two decades, and her leadership helped put the association at the forefront of some of the industry’s most complex issues surrounding compliance and ethics.
She led the organization in its efforts around the under-karating of precious metals, the disclosure of diamond and gemstone treatments, standards used by appraisers, the enactment of anti-money laundering programs and a comprehensive review of the FTC Guides for the jewelry, precious metals and pewter industries.
Gardner also served as general counsel to the World Diamond Council from 2000 to 2015, became general counsel for the United States Kimberley Process Authority (USKPA) and served on many industry boards.
Ben Kaiser Award recipient Pollak has more than 40 years’ experience in retail management, developing a total of seven luxury jewelry and watch stores, with a focus on a combination of business strategy and vision, philanthropy, and the future of retail and omnichannel.
He founded Diamonds in the Rough, raising nearly $2.5 million to support the efforts of youth-based nonprofits and local charities, and is a former president of Luxury Jewelers Resource Group.
Pollak was inducted into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame in 2008 and was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999. He has served on the boards of Diamond Empowerment Fund, Jewelers of America and the Natural Color Diamond Association.
Corporate Award honoree Day’s Jewelers, meanwhile, is a family-owned jewelry chain with seven jewelry stores throughout Maine and New Hampshire.
The company has been in business for more than 100 years and has been owned by Jim, Kathy and Jeff Corey since 1988, with David Harris now serving as president.
The WJA said Day’s is a “standout in the jewelry industry for its integrity, transparency and responsible business practices.
The jeweler is a certified member of Responsible Jewellery Council and has received a number of honors including the
2016 “Retailer of the Year” award from the the Retail Association of Maine, recognition as one of America’s Best Jewelers by National Jeweler, and the WJA’s 2009 Retailer of the Year award.
The WJA’s 2017 Awards for Excellence will be held Monday, July 24, returning to the Chelsea Piers in New York.
During the event, the WJA also will present awards in retail, design, manufacturing, sales, marketing and communications and editorial categories. The nominees in those categories haven’t been announced yet.
The Awards for Excellence also serves to help raise money for scholarships and grants for deserving women entering or working in the jewelry industry. A silent auction will be held to raise additional funds.
Tickets and sponsorships for the gala will go on sale later this year.
“It is my utmost pleasure to be a part of honoring such a distinguished group of individuals during the 2017 Awards for Excellence,” WJA President Brandee Dallow said. “Returning to Chelsea Piers with this trio of award winners is most certainly going to make for a fabulous evening.”
The WJA’s 2017 Awards for Excellence will be held Monday, July 24, returning to the Chelsea Piers in New York.
During the event, the WJA also will present awards in retail, design, manufacturing, sales, marketing and communications and editorial categories. The nominees in those categories haven’t been announced yet.
The Awards for Excellence also serves to help raise money for scholarships and grants for deserving women entering or working in the jewelry industry. A silent auction will be held to raise additional funds.
Tickets and sponsorships for the gala will go on sale later this year.
“It is my utmost pleasure to be a part of honoring such a distinguished group of individuals during the 2017 Awards for Excellence,” WJA President Brandee Dallow said. “Returning to Chelsea Piers with this trio of award winners is most certainly going to make for a fabulous evening.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
