IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
OtherJul 26, 2015
JA elects Ryan Berg as new board chairman
Jewelers of America tapped Berg, of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, to lead its board at a meeting held Saturday in New York.
From left, Fred Weber along with Matthew Rosenheim, Craig Rottenberg, Simon Katz, new board Chairman Ryan Berg and Efraim Grinberg
New York--Jewelers of America elected Ryan Berg of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry as its new board chairman at a meeting held Saturday in New York.
Berg, who serves as market president in Texas for his family’s multi-state jewelry business, succeeds Lexington, Ky. retailer Bill Farmer Jr.
JA President and CEO David J. Bonaparte said it is an honor for the association to have Berg at the helm of its board. “Ryan has the right combination of experience that will make him an effective board chairman. Like so many others in the jewelry industry, Ryan is helping his family-run jewelry business adapt, grow and evolve,” Bonaparte said. “He brings a fresh perspective that focuses on growing Jewelers of America and all our members’ stores’ bottom line.”
Berg’s father Lee Michael Berg founded Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry in Baton Rouge, La. in 1978. Over the years, the family-run store has expanded to eight locations covering six markets in three states--Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.
In addition to helping run his family business, Berg is active in the community where he lives, serving on the board of directors for Junior Achievement of San Antonio and the advisory board of the San Antonio Junior League, and is a member of the Downtown San Antonio Rotary Club, a trustee for the Witte Museum of Natural History, on the board of the Young Presidents’ Organization and a member of the FBI Citizens Organization.
Berg’s involvement in the jewelry industry includes serving as president of the Jewelers of Louisiana, on the advisory committee for Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. and on the board of directors for the Jewelry Information Center.
As chairman, Berg will lead an executive committee of the following elected officers: Chair-elect John Henne of Henne Jewelers in Pittsburgh; Vice Chair Mark Light, CEO of Signet Jewelers; Vice Chair Holly Wesche of Wesche Jewelers in Melbourne, Fla.; Treasurer Coleman Clark of B.C. Clark Jewelers in Oklahoma City; and Cathy Tivol of Tivol Inc. in Kansas City, Mo.
In addition at Saturday’s meeting, the following directors were elected to begin terms on the board: Simon Katz of Simons Jewelers in St. Louis; Craig Rottenberg of Long’s Jewelers in Massachusetts; Joe Molfese of Bella Cosa Jewelers in Willowbrook, Ill.; Movado Group Inc. Chairman and CEO Efraim Grinberg and Matthew Rosenheim of Tiny Jewel Box in Washington, D.C.
Rosenheim’s father, Jim Rosenheim, is one of the
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
outgoing directors, along with Jeff Hamra of Hamra Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz. and Bill Farmer.
National Jeweler is a for-profit subsidiary of Jewelers of America, though the organizations act independently of one another. JA acquired National Jeweler from Emerald Expositions in February 2015.
More on Other
The Latest
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.
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.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
