IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
OtherOct 07, 2015
WJA hosting ‘speed mentoring’ event
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with industry professionals to get advice and insight on their careers, businesses or ideas.
New York--Anyone interested in learning more about careers and opportunities in the jewelry industry is invited to attend an upcoming mentoring event with professionals in the trade.
The “Speed Mentoring” event is being hosted by the Women’s Jewelry Association’s New York Metro Chapter and is scheduled for Wed., Oct. 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the GIA’s New York offices, which are located in the International Gem Tower.
The event is open to WJA members and individuals involved in the jewelry industry. Upon registering, attendees will be able to select the mentors they wish to meet for personalized career advice and one-on-one guidance, as well as the chance to have their resumes reviewed and ask questions.
The mentors that will be available for the event, as well as their expertise as described by the WJA, are as follows:
--Lita Asscher, president of Royal Asscher;
--Gail Brett Levine, an independent personal property appraiser who specializes in gem and jewelry appraising;
--Kendra Bridelle, the vice president of wholesale at Thomas Sabo with expertise in wholesale, running a business, designing and starts-ups and building brands;
--Cindy Edelstein, owner of The Jeweler’s Resource Bureau and a business coach for jewelry designers who advises on strategy, marketing and answering questions for those who want to start or grow a business;
--Deirdre Featherstone, the jewelry designer at Featherstone Inc. who also has won more than 10 AGTA Spectrum Awards;
--Cecilia Gardner, president, CEO and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee who specializes in industry-specific legal matters and responsibility;
--Myriam Gumuchian, vice president and director of sales at Gumuchian with an expertise in wholesale sales, marketing and business development;
--Ben Janowski, owner of Janos Consultants with an expertise in marketing, business consulting and strategic planning for the American jewelry market;
--Erik Jens, an employee ABN Amro Bank’s diamond and jewelry division who is known to be an inspiring motivator and can assist with the ability to be versatile and resilient;
--Michael Milgrom, the vice president of merchandising and quality assurance at Richline Group, whose expertise range from merchandising to operations;
--Lars Parker-Myers, an account executive at Reed Exhibitions/JCK Events who can offer advice on trade shows; and
--Karen Sampieri, a graduate gemologist and senior buyer for gemstones at Harry Winston who has an expertise in gemstones, auctions and career development.
Roundtable group discussions will take place for all attendees between mentor meetups.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Registration is open until Oct. 16 and is available on the WJA website.
The event costs $10 for WJA members and $35 for non-members. Questions can be directed to the WJA Metro Mentor Committee, Maria Tsangaropoulos at marialmt@live.com or Hayley Henning at hayleyhenning@hotmail.com.
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.
