MajorsFeb 11, 2025
Midas Chain Releases First Diamond CollectionThe jewelry manufacturer has launched more than 100 pieces made with natural diamonds.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
SurveysFeb 10, 2025
Jewelry Resilient in 2024 Even As Luxury Sales Slipped, Says Bain & Co.Bain & Co.’s latest report on the luxury market examines why the market’s customer base is shrinking and how to appeal to consumers in 2025.
CrimeFeb 10, 2025
Counterfeit Jewelry Kept Kentucky Customs Agents Busy in January, CBP Says Officers in Louisville seized 28 shipments of fake jewelry and watches that would have been worth more than $27 million if genuine.
Brought to you by
3 Ways to Capitalize on America’s Newfound Love of Colored GemsColored stones are stepping into a jewelry spotlight typically reserved for diamonds—are you ready to sell color?
CollectionsFeb 10, 2025
Hearts on Fire Flips Jewelry ‘Inside Out’ in New CollectionThe collection centers on the art of tailoring, inspired by designs that feature folded fabrics, such as a tuxedo lapel.
Weekly QuizFeb 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsFeb 10, 2025
Select Jewelry Show Heads to NashvilleThe trade show has added a new location to its fall line-up.
CollectionsFeb 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jade Trau’s ‘Ladybird’ CharmFrom the brand’s latest collection of lucky charms, the ladybird is seen as a bearer of good fortune and a ward against negative energy.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
SourcingFeb 07, 2025
De Beers’ Production Guidance Slashed, Anglo Anticipates Another WritedownThe moves come amid a prolonged period of lower demand for diamonds, particularly in China.
Events & AwardsFeb 07, 2025
Registration Opens for Stuller’s Bench Jeweler WorkshopThe workshop returns in March, along with the “Battle of the Benches” mini challenge series.
IndependentsFeb 06, 2025
106-Year-Old Jewelry Store Saved by New OwnersTwo attorneys purchased Windsor Jewelry, which was set to close, and will retain all existing staff at the downtown Indianapolis store.
MajorsFeb 06, 2025
Oscar Heyman Employee Celebrates 60 Years With the Company Adam Heyman joined the family business in 1965, just weeks after graduating from Columbia Business School.
CollectionsFeb 06, 2025
De Beers Jewellers’ New High Jewelry Pays Homage to the Beauty of TreesThe “Essence of Nature, Chapter One” collection echoes trees and roots, literally and figuratively, through three sets of high jewelry.
IndependentsFeb 06, 2025
Hamilton Jewelers Revamps Palm Beach BoutiqueThe fourth-generation, family-owned jeweler has given its Worth Avenue store a new look.
CrimeFeb 05, 2025
‘The Timepiece Gentleman’ Sentenced to 5-Plus Years Behind Bars Luxury watch dealer Anthony Farrer pleaded guilty late last year to defrauding clients in a scheme with Ponzi-type elements.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Double-Digit Growth After Strong Holiday SeasonIn its full-year results, the retailer shared its 2025 outlook and an update on the global rollout of its lab-grown diamond collection.
TrendsFeb 05, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Feeling Fabulous in FebruaryCelebrate February birthstones and the gem shows in Arizona this month with a versatile stone like amethyst.
MajorsFeb 05, 2025
DCA Promotes Kristen Scheetz to Director of Education, MembershipScheetz has been with the nonprofit since 2007.
SourcingFeb 04, 2025
New Deal With Botswana Is Done, De Beers Confirms The agreement will allocate an increasing proportion of the country’s rough diamonds to the government of Botswana over the next decade.
Events & AwardsFeb 04, 2025
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Astronomy-Inspired Jewelry to Land at AMNH“Cosmic Splendor: Jewelry From the Collections of Van Cleef & Arpels,” opens April 11 at the American Museum of Natural History.
SurveysFeb 04, 2025
Valentine’s Day Jewelry Spending Forecast to Hit Record High, Says NRFThose celebrating Valentine’s Day this year are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on jewels, flowers, candy, and more.
EditorsFeb 03, 2025
Best Jewelry Moments From the 2025 Grammy Awards From Lady Gaga’s 1930s Tiffany & Co. necklace to Taylor Swift’s “T,” Michelle Graff recaps the night’s most memorable jewelry looks.
MajorsFeb 03, 2025
Qurate to Close HSN’s Florida HQ Amid RestructuringLayoffs will reportedly start next month as HSN plans to move into QVC’s location in Pennsylvania.
EditorsFeb 03, 2025
Q&A: 5 Jewelry Designers on Shopping the 2025 Tucson Gem ShowsA group of creatives talked to Associate Editor Lauren McLemore about their approach to the annual Tucson gem, mineral, and fossil shows.
AuctionsJan 31, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Bracelet Outshines Estimate at U.K. AuctionThe auction also featured the sale of a Cartier necklace made when Egyptomania was sweeping Great Britain.
CollectionsJan 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lalaounis’ Good Luck Charm for 2025The “Blossom Rosette” blooms with love, beauty, and hope for the year ahead.
IndependentsJan 31, 2025
Harvey Rovinsky, Longtime Owner of Bernie Robbins Jewelers, Dies at 77Rovinsky is remembered as a great mentor who made the employees of his stores feel like family.
