SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2017
Here Are the Winners of the 2017 WJA Awards
The annual awards gala returned to Chelsea Piers in New York last night and honored some familiar faces.
Wendy Brandes received the Women’s Jewelry Association’s Award for Excellence in the design category.
New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association honored a number of jewelry industry leaders at its annual Awards for Excellence gala, held Monday night at Chelsea Piers in New York.
The first award of the night, for Design, went to Wendy Brandes, who thanked those who helped her launch her second career--the designer said she worked as a journalist at publications including The Wall Street Journal and People magazine before getting into jewelry.
Betty Sue King, owner of King’s Ransom, was honored with the award for excellence for a Manufacturer, Dealer, Supplier. King told the audience that her parents came to the United States from China and she had lived the American dream. “The WJA has no glass ceiling,” she said.
Laura Klemt, president of Artistry Ltd., won the award in the Merchandising and Product Development category, and Donna Jolly, director of marketing for the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories, won for Marketing and Communications.
The award for Editorial went to Severine Ferrari of Engagement 101, while Pat Henneberry, vice president of learning and development for Hearts On Fire and a National Jeweler columnist, won the Business Services award.
The retail award winners were: Alexis Padis, director of operations, Padis Jewelry, in the Independent category; Beth Gerstein, co-CEO of Brilliant Earth in the new Open Format category; and Judy Fisher, senior vice president of merchandising at Signet Jewelers Ltd. in the Large-Scale retail group.
Design: Wendy Brandes, owner/president, Wendy Brandes Jewelry
Manufacturer, Dealer, Supplier: Betty Sue King, owner, King
Merchandising and Product Development: Laura Klemt, president, Artistry, Ltd
Business Services: Pat Henneberry, vice president of learning and development, Hearts On Fire
Large-Scale Retail: Judy Fisher, senior vice president of merchandising, Signet Jewelers
Independent Retail: Alexis Padis, director of operations, Padis Jewelry
Open-Format Retail: Beth Gerstein, co-CEO, Brilliant Earth
Marketing and Communications: Donna Jolly, director of marketing, American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories
Editorial: Severine Ferrari, editor in chief, Engagement 101
And the first Cindy Edelstein Mentorship Award--named in honor of a woman who was a beloved mentor to many--went to longtime industry writer and editor Peggy Jo Donahue, who got her start at JCK magazine and currently contributes to a number of publications, including this one.
Donahue said she “threw a hissy fit” at the initial suggestion that this new award be earmarked for women only.
“It has been men who have mentored us when were just starting out,” she said from the podium. “And it has been men ... who need to continue to give us a hand up and to help us to reach that 50 percent number in the board room and in the executive suites of our companies.”
While winners in the aforementioned categories were announced live Monday night, a few industry leaders announced ahead of time as honorees were also there to accept awards of the lifetime-achievement nature.
Cecilia Gardner, the former longtime head of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, received the
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
WJA Lifetime Achievement Award. She recalled her shock at being “the only woman in the room” for much of her career, after having been raised in a family that never limited her potential due to gender.
Gardner urged women to strive for professional success and for men to make room at the table by allowing women to come into roles typically occupied by their male counterparts.
Michael Pollak, CEO of Hyde Park Jewelers, accepted the Ben Kaiser Award, which goes to a man who has been supportive of women in the industry. He encouraged the industry to embrace how people buy jewelry today, by both clicks and bricks.
The WJA Corporate award went to Jeff Corey and Kathy Corey of Day’s Jewelers.
“On the first day we met, we pledged to get married, have children and open a jewelry business together,” Kathy Corey told the audience, adding jokingly that her husband is a great salesman.
She said that she and her husband shared the award with Day’s 150 employees and noted the importance of relationships.
“Do you want to know how to get young people into your store?” Jeff Corey asked the audience.
“Hire them,” he said, adding that millennials are the most “value-driven” generation ever.
Gardner urged women to strive for professional success and for men to make room at the table by allowing women to come into roles typically occupied by their male counterparts.
Michael Pollak, CEO of Hyde Park Jewelers, accepted the Ben Kaiser Award, which goes to a man who has been supportive of women in the industry. He encouraged the industry to embrace how people buy jewelry today, by both clicks and bricks.
The WJA Corporate award went to Jeff Corey and Kathy Corey of Day’s Jewelers.
“On the first day we met, we pledged to get married, have children and open a jewelry business together,” Kathy Corey told the audience, adding jokingly that her husband is a great salesman.
She said that she and her husband shared the award with Day’s 150 employees and noted the importance of relationships.
“Do you want to know how to get young people into your store?” Jeff Corey asked the audience.
“Hire them,” he said, adding that millennials are the most “value-driven” generation ever.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
