IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
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
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
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.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
