FinancialsNov 26, 2025
Movado CEO Talks Tariffs, Growing Interest in Accessible Luxury WatchesDuring its Q3 call, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed the deal to lower tariffs on Swiss-made watches, watch market trends, and more.
OtherAug 15, 2016
WJA names its ‘Shining Stars’ of 2015
The organization will honor these 12 members who have given extraordinary service to their respective regional chapters at its In the Spotlight event next week.
New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association has named the 12 recipients of its annual Shining Star Awards, which recognize those who have given extraordinary service to their respective regional chapters.\
The 2015 Shining Stars will be honored at WJA’s In the Spotlight event, scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 in New York immediately following the organization’s In the Know conference.
This year’s Shining Stars are as follows.
Irene Canivet, San Diego Chapter
Canivet is the owner and manager of Inspirata Vita, which provides resources and support to help jewelry professionals and employers with employment and career success. She is the web/communication chair for her WJA chapter.
Patti Geolat, Southwest Chapter
Geolat is an appraiser who also was the interim president and CEO of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. from 2008 to 2009. She has served on the WJA’s international board and is now an active member of the Southwest Chapter.
Karen Golembeski, New England Chapter
The director of sales and marketing for East Greenwich, R.I.-based manufacturer Chronomatic Inc., Golembeski has been involved with the WJA since 1989. She began as a member of the New England Chapter and became membership chair in 1999, co-president from 2004 to 2006, and then president for the following eight years.
Katie Hammond, Midwest Chapter
Hammond is the founder of online fine jewelry magazine Brighter, and is the president of KH Fine Jewelry & Consulting. She currently is vice president of the WJA’s Midwest Chapter.
Sue Karr, Twin Cities Chapter
Karr works on the wholesale side of the industry with Killian Jewelry, and also is the secretary of the GIA Alumni’s Twin Cities Chapter. She joined the WJA’s Twin Cities Chapter in 2010 and co-chairs the membership committee.
Alexis Kletjian, Boston Chapter
Working toward her graduate gemologist diploma from the GIA, Kletjian currently is creating her first collection of jewelry. She is the vice president of the WJA’s Boston Chapter.
Adrienne Krieger, Seattle Chapter
Krieger is the founder of Seattle-based Everling Jewelry, which specializes in custom and one-of-a-kind gold and platinum pieces. She serves as treasurer on the WJA’s Seattle Chapter’s board.
Janet Ma, Los Angeles Chapter
Ma is the founder of Majolie Collections, a Los Angeles-based company established in 2009 that offers handmade fine jewelry. She is treasurer of the WJA Los Angeles Chapter.
Lilly Sinelnik, Colorado Chapter
The owner of This is Lilly, which focuses on graphic design and marketing, Sinelnik joined
the WJA’s Colorado Chapter in 2013.
Lauren Thompson, Metro New York Chapter
Thompson is the communication manager at Jewelers of America, promoting the association’s retail and supplier members to trade and consumer audiences. She is the communications director for the WJA’s Metro New York Chapter and also serves as the public relations chair for the WJA international board.
Clare Ullman, Northern California Chapter
Ullman is the designer behind Clare Ullman Designs, and her pieces are carried in fine jewelry boutiques, jewelry stores and galleries around the country. She is a former president of the Northern California Chapter and now is the Western regional director of WJA’s international board.
Laurie Watt, Ohio-Kentucky Chapter
Watt is a wholesale gemstone dealer and owns a small jewelry gallery in Maysville, Ky. She helped to found the WJA chapter in Los Angeles in the 1980s and now serves on the Ohio-Kentucky Chapter.
In the Spotlight is scheduled for March 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Convene, located at 730 Third Ave. Tickets for both In the Spotlight and In the Know are available on the WJA website.
More on Other
The Latest
TrendsNov 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rosior’s Pumpkin RingRosior’s high jewelry cocktail ring with orange sapphires and green diamonds is the perfect Thanksgiving accessory.
IndependentsNov 26, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Colorful Holiday CampaignThe “Embrace Your True Colors” campaign features jewels with a vibrant color palette and poetry by Grammy-nominated artist Aja Monet.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
MajorsNov 26, 2025
Serafino Consoli Names New VP of Sales, Brand Development for the AmericasLuxury veteran Alejandro Cuellar has stepped into the role at the Italian fine jewelry brand.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 26, 2025
Grandview Klein Presents 4 Scholarships in NamibiaThe company gave awards to four students at the Namibia University of Science & Technology, including one who is a Grandview Klein employee.
IndependentsNov 25, 2025
Pearl Stringer Margaret Hoisik DiesShe is remembered as an artist who loved her craft and was devoted to her faith, her friends, and her family.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
SourcingNov 25, 2025
Finestar Opens Diamond Manufacturing Facility in JohannesburgIt joins the company’s other manufacturing facilities globally, including in India, Botswana, and Namibia.
TrendsNov 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Polka DotsThe polka dot pattern transcends time and has re-emerged as a trend in jewelry through round-shaped gemstones.
CrimeNov 25, 2025
Former Arizona AG Official Charged With Trafficking Stolen JewelryVanessa Hickman, 49, allegedly sold a diamond bracelet that was mistakenly sent to her home.
Events & AwardsNov 25, 2025
GIA Awards Susan Jacques With Its Highest HonorGIA’s former president and CEO was presented with the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement.
Recorded WebinarsNov 24, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Social Media EtiquetteSocial media experts spoke about protecting brand reputation through behaving mindfully online.
WatchesNov 24, 2025
Breitling Reveals Plans for Gallet, Universal GenèveIn 2026, the three will come together as “House of Brands,” with Gallet sold in Breitling stores and Universal Genève sold separately.
CollectionsNov 24, 2025
Muse Debuts a Wicked 'Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo' SequelThe second drop, which includes more Elphaba-inspired pieces from additional designers, will continue to benefit nonprofit Dreams of Hope.
IndependentsNov 24, 2025
J.R. Dunn Jewelers Names New PresidentSecond-generation jeweler Sean Dunn has taken on the role.
MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEOAmber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.
SourcingNov 21, 2025
De Beers’ Branded, Traceable Diamonds Roll Out to 19 Retailers Called “Origin by De Beers Group,” the loose, polished diamonds are being sold in a total of 30 stores in the United States and Canada.
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ NecklaceThe lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
