CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
OtherAug 04, 2014
Appointments: JA adds two to board of directors
Jewelers of America has elected Karen Goracke of Borsheims and Cartier North America’s Mercedes Abramo to its board of directors.
Karen Goracke, CEO and president of Borsheims, and Mercedes Abramo, CEO and president of Cartier North America, have been elected to Jewelers of America’s board of directors through 2017.
New York--Jewelers of America has elected Karen Goracke of Borsheims and Cartier North America’s Mercedes Abramo to its board of directors.
Both of the new directors, who have more than 45 years of experience in fine jewelry and luxury goods between them, will serve through 2017.
Goracke is the president and CEO of Borsheims Fine Jewelry and Gifts, a position she was appointed to in 2013 by Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett following the departure of Susan Jacques to lead the GIA. She initially joined the company in 1988 and has held a variety of roles across the company to give her a broad retail background.
She also is active with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Jewelers for Children, and the Women’s Jewelry Association.
Abramo was named as president and CEO of Cartier North America in June, where she oversees the strategy and operations for the company across the market including 35 boutiques, an e-commerce boutique and more than 150 specialty retailers. She has been with the company since 2008.
Prior to joining Cartier, she also held management positions with Tiffany & Co., Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Loews Miami Beach.
Abramo also serves on the advisory board of the Luxury Education Foundation.
--------
The Women’s Jewelry Association has appointed Bernadette McGovern Mack as its new executive director. She replaces Teresa Stohs, who left for another position closer to her home in Florida.
McGovern previously served as WJA’s administrative coordinator for two years, and will continue to be based at the organization’s main office in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
She also serves as a secretary of the board directors of Abilities First Inc. and is the past president of the Junior League of Poughkeepsie.
McGovern previously has held communications and fundraising positions at hospitals and universities, and also was the owner of a private skincare practice as a licensed aesthetician.
The WJA also announced that is has hired Kimberly Galvin as its new office manager in Poughkeepsie, working closely with Mack on all WJA endeavors.
--------
Belk Inc. President and Chief Merchandising Officer Kathryn Bufano has left the company to join The Bon-Ton Stores as president and CEO, effective Aug. 25. She also will be elected to the Bon-Ton board of directors.
Bufano replaces Brendan Hoffman, who elected not to renew his three-year employment agreement and will resign as president and CEO as well as a member of the board.
Hoffman
will have a role in working through the transition period, according to the company.
Bufano has served as president and chief marketing officer of Belk since August 2010 and was president of the company’s merchandising and marketing for two years before that.
Before joining Belk, she also had stints at Vanity Shops Inc., Sears Roebuck & Co., Dress Barn, Macy’s, and Lord & Taylor.
--------
The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) is aiming to increase member awareness of humanitarian issues in diamond and gemstone supply chains with the appointment of Vivien Johnston as its ethics and corporate social responsibility manager.
The appointment is a move toward following CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation’s message of “sustainability, transparency and disclosure,” according to Gem-A.
The organization has been working with Johnston since 2009 as part of the U.K.’s Jewellery Ethics Committee to assess the feasibility of a system of auditable supply chains and ethical standards, and has hired her on to help with the improvement needed in lobbying and policymaking.
More on Other
The Latest
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
