Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
OtherNov 07, 2013
Hearts on Fire names top retailers for 2013
Bernie Robbins Jewelers took home Global Retailer of the Year and Northeastern Retailer of the Year honors at this year’s Hearts on Fire University (HOFU), which took place Oct. 27 to 30.
Singer and songwriter Jewel was a surprise guest performer at this year’s Hearts on Fire University, held last week in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas--Bernie Robbins Jewelers took home Global Retailer of the Year and Northeastern Retailer of the Year honors at this year’s Hearts on Fire University (HOFU), which took place Oct. 27 to 30.
Held in Las Vegas, HOFU is a motivational and educational event organized by the brand. It brings together Hearts on Fire-carrying retailers from all over the world and recognizes top-selling retailers and their sales associates.
At this year’s event, Wimmer’s Diamonds in Fargo, N.D. was named Midwestern Retailer of the Year while Thomas Markle Jewelers in Houston was the Southern Retailer of the Year.
Simmons Fine Jewelry in Meridan, Idaho won Western Retailer of the Year while Majesty Jewelers from the Caribbean island of St. Maarten was named International Retailer of the Year. Beaverbrooks, with stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland, took home the award for Rookie of the Year.
The sales associates who earned best-in-class championship status were: Frank Krause of Lucido Fine Jewelry, Shawn Rummel of Meyers Jewelry, Mukesh (Max) Kumar of Noble Jewelers, Hae Yon Domingo of The Wedding Ring Shop and Shelley Fitzgerald of Smales Jewellers.
In addition, Hearts on Fire welcomed five stores into its Hall of Fame: Greenberg’s Jewelers in Iowa, Hursts’ Berwyn Jewelers in Illinois, Michael C. Fina in New York, The Wedding Ring Shop in Hawaii and Walters & Hogsett Fine Jewelers in Colorado.
HOFU has been an annual event for more than 15 years. It offers a comprehensive training program for HOF retailers that aim to develop stronger business strategies and develop teams.
Guest speakers, seminars, and small class sessions are all part of HOFU.
The brand focused on digital innovation this year, offering retailers extensive education on digital marketing and expanding its course schedule with hands-on workshops taught by experts in the fields of business, sales and personal development.
“Consumer shopping habits have changed dramatically in the past few years, and our goal was to refocus and reinvigorate the HOFU experience to reflect and embrace those changes. This year, we were able to integrate changes to the program and provide educational and motivational tools that will impact our retail family immediately … and most importantly during the upcoming holiday season,” said Gilly Strauss, executive vice president of global sales at Hearts on Fire.
This year’s HOFU was held at the Bellagio Resort, with more than 650 Hearts on Fire retailers in attendance.
Speakers at the event included Erik Wahl, a graffiti artist and author of Unthink: Rediscover your Creative Genius; Jeffrey Gitomer, a New York Times bestselling author; Susanne Conrad of Lululemon Athletica; and Scott Gallway of L2 Think Tank, who also is a professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business.
In addition, Grammy nominee Jewel performed at the event.
In addition, Grammy nominee Jewel performed at the event.
More on Other
The Latest
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
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.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
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.
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
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.”
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ ListExpanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.
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.
