SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
Weekly QuizAug 20, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
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.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2026
MJSA Education Foundation Names 5 Scholarship WinnersThe five students were awarded a total of $10,000 through the nonprofit’s 2026 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.
MajorsAug 20, 2026
Plumb Club Elects 2026-2027 BoardSteven Lerche is now beginning his term as the youngest member to become president of The Plumb Club’s elected executive committee.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Mike Alexander To Succeed Scott Murphy as Jewelers Mutual CEO Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
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.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
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.
