FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2018
WJA Honors its 2018 ‘Shining Stars’ in L.A.
Women and men from chapters nationwide were recognized at the Women’s Jewelry Association’s In the Spotlight event.
Redondo Beach, Calif.--The Women’s Jewelry Association gathered members from across the country Saturday to honor those whose dedication to their local chapters makes them vital resources for women in the industry.
Held at the Shade Hotel in Redondo Beach, California, outside of Los Angeles, the In The Spotlight event saw 12 WJA members honored as “Shining Stars” for their chapter.
“Local chapter” proved to be a relative term at the awards.
Designer Debra Navarro of Debra Navarro Jewelry, for example, has been involved with WJA Dallas since about 2015, attending most of its events, though she resides 365 miles away in Wichita, Kansas.
The WJA Dallas 2018 Shining Star and chapter treasurer said in her acceptance speech, “When I wanted to do this thing I felt so called to do, which was design jewelry the way that I saw it and wanted to wear it, I knew I couldn’t do this alone from Wichita … Dallas was my closest chapter and I am from Texas so that made sense.”
She wasn’t the only Shining Star whose WJA commute was a bit of a journey.
Andrea Koenig of Annie K Jewelry, treasurer of the Ohio/Kentucky chapter, has been traveling an hour and a half each way to monthly WJA meetings for the past four years.
“What started out as a networking opportunity turned into making connections, which turned into making friendships, which turned into real growth opportunities both for me and the women I was working with in the chapter,” Koenig said.
Honorees thanked their fellow WJA members for the community and family that the organization provides, with one Shining Star, who has spent more than 40 years in the jewelry industry, noting the changes he’s seen in female professional empowerment in that time.
“I was hired by a woman,” said WJA Boston’s Gerard Riveron. “I’m still friends with her today. The most positive change I’ve seen (in 40 years) is the success of many women in the jewelry industry, not only in the designing side but the business side. I think the evolution is amazing and I love to be a witness of it.”
Interest in the WJA seems to be at an all-time high. President Bernadette Mack noted at the event that 12 affiliate and interest groups are in the process of becoming official chapters.
“There’s been a tremendous amount of growth and the Shining Stars are truly the backbone of the
organization,” Mack said. “I always say that WJA has the hardest-working volunteers in this industry.”
These are the other nine individuals honored Saturday night as Shining Stars.
Olivia Zale, Artistry Ltd., WJA Chicago
Teresa Pureber, Hyde Park Jewelers, WJA Colorado
Sheila Siu, Trumpet & Horn, WJA Los Angeles
Eve Streicker, Original Eve, WJA New York Metro
Danielle Mainas, Little Bird, WJA Northern California
Lauren Paquin, ESP Global, WJA Providence
Julia Popovich, Zhulia, WJA San Diego
Anna Samsonova, Ben Bridge Jeweler, WJA Seattle
Dawn Morel Bruggeman, D. Morel Gemologist Inc., WJA Twin Cities.
These are the other nine individuals honored Saturday night as Shining Stars.
Olivia Zale, Artistry Ltd., WJA Chicago
Teresa Pureber, Hyde Park Jewelers, WJA Colorado
Sheila Siu, Trumpet & Horn, WJA Los Angeles
Eve Streicker, Original Eve, WJA New York Metro
Danielle Mainas, Little Bird, WJA Northern California
Lauren Paquin, ESP Global, WJA Providence
Julia Popovich, Zhulia, WJA San Diego
Anna Samsonova, Ben Bridge Jeweler, WJA Seattle
Dawn Morel Bruggeman, D. Morel Gemologist Inc., WJA Twin Cities.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
