Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
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
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
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
