CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
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
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
