CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
EditorsSep 29, 2017
Marie Helene Morrow on What Puerto Rico Needs
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, the well-known, and well-loved, jeweler talks about the state of the island she’s called home for five decades.
Jeweler Marie Helene Morrow recommends those who want to help Puerto Rico donate to a charity called United for Puerto Rico. “I know, like everything else, life turns, the clock never stays on one number,” said Morrow, who’s lived on the Caribbean island since the 1960s. “I know we will survive this.”
I first met Marie Helene Morrow in Las Vegas around 2008 or 2009 through my boss at that time, Whitney Sielaff.
Here is an excellent retailer for you to know, he said to me as he introduced me to the woman he was seated across from, and he was right.
For those who don’t know her, Marie Helene owns and operates a total of 12 jewelry stores in Puerto Rico. Her flagship is Reinhold Jewelers in the Plaza Las Américas mall in San Juan, where she carries more than 40 designers.
She is known and loved for having a true passion for the art of jewelry, for being the first to spot talent (like David Yurman back in the day) and, moreover, just for being a very warm and sweet person.
She’s lived on Puerto Rico since the 1960s, but happened to be in Dallas with husband David visiting her daughter when Hurricane Maria hit last week.
Marie Helene hasn’t been able to get back yet but said she’s been in constant contact with neighbors, friends and her 70-plus employees about the situation on the ground.
A week after Maria, there’s still no power in the building where she lives, it’s “very scary” in the streets, there’s very little food and it’s difficult to get water.
Flooding and safety issues forced the closure of all of her stores, though she said she has continued to pay her sales associates. “I consider them my family,” she said, then reinforced that: “They are my family.”
Marie Helene is hopeful that Reinhold Jewelers and her boutiques will be able to reopen soon.
There still is a tremendous need on the island for the basics--food, water, power, clothing, shelter--yes, but Marie Helene said the people also need to feel that things are going to go back to normal.
They also need to feel that they won’t be forgotten.
“I think it’s very important for the island of Puerto Rico and for Puerto Ricans to feel that people still like them and people will still come,” she said.
There are several ways you can help the people of Puerto Rico right now.
The charity Marie Helene recommended is Unidos Por Puerto Rico (United for Puerto Rico), which Beatriz Rosselló, the wife of Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, started.
After Hurricane Irma hit Florida, Jewelers of America expanded the scope of its disaster relief fund, which originally was created for Harvey victims, to include jewelers
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
in the United States and its territories hit by any natural disaster. This includes Puerto Rico as well as other storm-ravaged Caribbean islands.
As of Thursday afternoon, more than $20,000 had been donated to what is now being called the Jewelers Disaster Relief Fund.
You can donate more on the campaign’s GoFundMe page.
There are also websites, like CharityNavigator.com, that compile lists of highly rated charity organizations that are responding to specific disasters. The site has a page for Hurricane Maria relief.
As of Thursday afternoon, more than $20,000 had been donated to what is now being called the Jewelers Disaster Relief Fund.
You can donate more on the campaign’s GoFundMe page.
There are also websites, like CharityNavigator.com, that compile lists of highly rated charity organizations that are responding to specific disasters. The site has a page for Hurricane Maria relief.
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
Events & AwardsSep 30, 2026
Jewelers of America, JA New York to Host Networking EventThe event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
