CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
OtherMar 05, 2014
WJA recognizes its ‘Shining Stars’ for 2014
Following its all-day conference on Wednesday, the Women’s Jewelry Association moved to the 44th floor of the Hearst Tower in Manhattan for the evening and recognized its 10 “Shining Stars” for the year.
New York--Following its all-day conference on Wednesday, the Women’s Jewelry Association moved to the 44th floor of the Hearst Tower in Manhattan for the evening and recognized its 10 “Shining Stars” for the year.
The WJA’s Shining Stars awards are presented each year to a member from each of the WJA’s regional chapters who has provided exceptional service in her region. In addition to being recognized at Wednesday night’s event, the winners receive an expenses-paid trip to New York and discounted tickets to the In the Know conference.
RELATED CONTENT: Five retailers on redefining the customer experience
The 10 WJA members recognized as Shining Stars for 2014 were as follows.
Edith Wun, Northern California chapter: Wun does wholesale sales of natural fancy color diamonds and has worked for a Diamonds International Watch & Design store, as well as sold jewelry and watches at Neiman Marcus and Tiffany & Co.
Rebecca Moskal, Los Angeles chapter: Moskal is a partner at Communique, a Los Angeles-based boutique marketing firm that focuses on fine jewelry and watches. She has done marketing for Bulgari, David Yurman, Beaudry and Van Cleef & Arpels in the past.
Lisa Slovis Mandel, San Diego chapter: Mandel owns Lisa Slovis Mandel Metalsmith in San Diego, and is a metalsmith, jeweler and teacher who has exhibited her work in galleries, museum and art shows across the country.
Penny Ruston, Midwest chapter: Ruston has been in the jewelry industry for 45 years and was a charter member of the WJA. She started her career in retail in and sold for Lagos, Ebel and Roberto Coin. She is now on the board as chair of the Midwest chapter’s mentorship program.
Kathy Carey, Twin Cities chapter: Carey has worked at Stebgo Metals, a refining company in South St. Paul, Minn., for more than 15 years and is a longtime active member of WJA. She joined the WJA Twin Cities board as membership chair in 2012 and is now the group’s treasurer.
Billie Sutter, Metro New York chapter: Sutter owns Luxe Alliances in New York City, which works to build strategic partnerships for brands across industries, including jewelry. She has been a member of the launch and repositioning teams for Vanity Fair, Connoisseur, Elle, The Four Seasons Hotel and the Social Register.
Keri Campbell, New England chapter: Campbell is executive vice president of marketing and sales at Armbrust International in Providence,
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
R.I. She is the president of the New England chapter.
Andrea Li, Colorado chapter: Li, of Andrea Li Designs, has been creating jewelry for 10 years. She has a hands-on approach to the entire process and never sketches her designs before the process of creation begins, with her hand-selected gemstones dictating the direction.
Diane Flora, Southwest chapter: Flora is the membership and education manager at the American Gem Trade Association, a graduate gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America and a certified gemologist appraiser of the American Gem Society. Prior to joining the AGTA, she was the AGS’ director of education and, before that, was an instructor at the GIA.
Debbie Hiss, Seattle Chapter: Hiss has an eponymous consulting company in Seattle that is currently working with the AGS, HRA/Crossworks, Canada’s largest diamond manufacturer, and MK Diamonds in Los Angeles. She also has worked at Lazare Kaplan International, Hearts on Fire and Forevermark.
More on Other
The Latest
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner Collab on Bridal Earrings GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with Jenner’s 818 Tequila brand to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
