SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
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
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
