FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
