Our Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
Jeffrey Bilgore named AGTA board president
During its annual elections, the AGTA selected Jeffrey Bilgore of Jeffrey Bilgore LLC as the new president of its board. He succeeds Ruben Bindra.
Dallas--Jeffrey Bilgore of Jeffrey Bilgore LLC was selected as the new president of the American Gem Trade Association’s board of directors during the organization’s annual elections.
Re-elected as directors to the board were Cynthia Renée of Cynthia Renee Inc. and Avi Raz of A&Z Pearls Inc., while Kusam Malhotra of K&K Int. and Jeff Mason of Mason-Kay Inc. were newly elected directors to the board. They will take office in February and serve three-year terms.
Continuing with their positions on the board are Gerry Manning as vice president, Pramod Agrawal as treasurer, and Bruce Bridges, Charles Carmona, William Heher, Gina Latendresse, Niveet Nagpal, Robert Van Wagoner, Simon Watt and Larry Woods as directors.
Ruben Bindra of B&B Fine Gems and Sushil Goyal of Liberty Gems Inc. will complete their board terms as president and director, respectively, by February.
The nominating committee for this year’s elections was chaired by Past President Benjamin Hackman, with committee members Bilgore, Raz, Neal Litman, Douglas Parker and Ray Zajicek.
The AGTA Board of Directors holds elections on a rotating cycle to guarantee coherence of the board’s long-term plans. The new board members will be introduced at the AGTA membership meeting, open to all AGTA members and scheduled for Feb. 5 at the AGTA GemFair in Tucson.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify the post to which Jeffrey Bilgore has been elected. He will serve as the new president of the AGTA’s board of directors.
The Latest

The 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.

Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.


McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.

Nelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.

With refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.

The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.

The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.

The MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.

The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.

Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.

The collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.

In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

The group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.

The retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.

The award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.

The “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.

The unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.

Bulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.

Awards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.

The top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.

Moses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.

Increased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.

The earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.




















