Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
AGS names NY/NJ chapter as guild of the year
The American Gem Society recognized the New York/New Jersey Guild as its most active and productive in 2013, naming it as the “Guild of the Year” at its recent Conclave in San Diego.

New York--The American Gem Society recognized the New York/New Jersey Guild as its most active and productive in 2013, naming it as the “Guild of the Year” at its recent Conclave in San Diego.
The Guild of the Year award is presented based on number of meetings and attendees; quality of speakers and variety of topics; interaction with GIA alumni chapters and the local community; number of leads for new AGS members; and number of members in the geographic area.
The New York/New Jersey chapter is headed by Marcellia Cruz-Hicks, who serves as president of the guild. Accepting the award alongside her in San Diego on April 25 were fellow guild members Angela Crespo, Marc Nanasi, Nicky Mehta, Andy Padte and Peter Stavriandis.
“The New York/New Jersey Guild is one of our oldest running guilds. They meet frequently and have enticing programs. In 2013, programs ranged from diamond cutting to a tour at Google. They really do set a standard for maintaining the integrity and growth of our national guilds, thus contributing immensely to the American Gem Society quality of membership,” said Laura Stanley, who is chair of the international guilds for AGS.
Robert M. Shipley founded the American Gem Society in 1934. It is a not-for-profit trade association that focuses on ethics, knowledge and consumer protection in the jewelry industry. Member jewelers must pass annual recertification exams to maintain their titles. Less than 5 percent of U.S. jewelers qualify as members of the AGS.
The Latest

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.


The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Former Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.

The veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.

Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).

The labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.

“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.

This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.






















