Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
JA’s PAC launches awards
Jewelers of America announced last week that it would introduce the JA Political Action Committee Awards to recognize individual members who make contributions to support the organization’s legislative advocacy for the fine jewelry industry.
New York--Jewelers of America announced last week that it would introduce the JA Political Action Committee Awards to recognize individual members who make contributions to support the organization’s legislative advocacy for the fine jewelry industry.
There will be different levels of recognition based on contribution amounts. They are as follows:
-- For an annual gift of $1 to $499, members will receive a JAPAC Certificate of Recognition.
-- For an annual gift of $500 to $1,999, they will receive a JAPAC Certificate of Recognition and a sterling silver JAPAC pin.
-- For an annual gift of $2,000 to $3,499, they will get a JAPAC Certificate of Recognition and a sterling silver and gemstone pin.
-- For an annual gift of $3,500 to $5,000--the maximum amount contributors can give per year--members will receive a JAPAC Certificate of Recognition and sterling silver pin with multiple gemstones.
All contributions from JA members must be received before Dec. 31, 2014 in order to be eligible for the awards. According to the organization, there will be a recognition ceremony, the details of which will be released at a later date.
“In 2014, a year that will be critical in terms of the legislative landscape, we are looking to expand the reach of the Jewelers of America Political Action Committee,” said Susan Thea Posnock, JA’s director of public affairs and education. “That’s critical, since every day legislators make decisions that impact businesses, including jewelers. We have to be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to legislation which could hurt our industry.”
“The jewelry industry’s support of JAPAC will help ensure jewelers have a collective voice on Capitol Hill, and Jewelers of America can now gratefully acknowledge those JA members who support JAPAC with an awards pin.”
More information about the JA Political Action Committee can be found on the JA website or by contacting Sharie Fogarty through email at sfogarty@jewelers.org or by phone at 646-658-5813.
Jewelers of America’s Political Action Committee is the only PAC that supports the fine retail jewelry industry in Washington. Through it, employees of JA member firms can join with other jewelry industry professionals to back candidates for federal office who support the interests of the jewelry industry.
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.






















