MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
TrendsFeb 19, 2020
Silver, Jewelry Historian Rosalie Berberian Dies at 92
She was an author and a pioneer in recognizing the importance of Arts and Crafts jewelry and metalwork.
New Haven, Conn.—Author and jewelry historian Rosalie Berberian died Feb. 8 at her home in New Haven, Connecticut.
She was 92 years old. 
She married the late Karnig A. Berberian in 1954, and the two ended up eventually settling in New Haven, where they raised their son, Aram D. Berberian.
After falling in love with a small fishing village on Martha’s Vineyard called Menemsha in the late ‘60s, they spent summers there in their small cottage, where Berberian enjoyed beachcombing.
According to an online obituary, Berberian was “fiercely independent and an early feminist,” and had a love for learning that led to her earning post-graduate degrees from Yale University, where she was a faculty member at the School of Public Health and engaged in research.
She eventually turned her hobby of going to tag sales and flea markets into a full-time career, starting ARK Antiques with her husband after she retired from Yale.
She continued to research as she collected and learned about American art pottery from the Arts and Crafts period (approximately 1880-1920), eventually becoming president of the American Art Pottery Association.
ARK Antiques eventually became known as a leading authority on American silver, jewelry and metalwork from the Arts and Crafts period.
Berberian loved helping clients develop their collections as well as teaching and sharing.
One of her favorite activities, her family said, was to attend the annual Arts and Crafts Conference in Asheville, North Carolina, where she would inspire many with her speaking and group discussions.
Gail Brett Levine, executive director of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, recalled Berberian, whom she referred to as a “powerhouse,” in the early days of Jewelry Camp at the University of Maine.
“She was one of those rare individuals who presented without reading her notes; she would look at the slide and off she went,” Levine told National Jeweler. “One was spellbound!”
Berberian seemed to have that effect on many.
According to a tribute column in the Arts & Crafts Collector, she left the stage at the Arts and Crafts Conference last February—she was up there at the age of 91—after a 50-minute talk to “an extended standing ovation.”
In February 2019, her book, “Creating Beauty: Jewelry and Enamels of the American Arts & Crafts Movement,” was published, representing the culmination of her work in the field, an
accomplishment of which she was very proud.
She also won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the conference for her contributions to the field.
Berberian is survived by her son, Aram; his wife, Theresa; and grandchildren Katharine, Caroline and Dmitri.
Her family said that, true to her pragmatic nature, Berberian did not want to have formal funeral services.
She also won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the conference for her contributions to the field.
Berberian is survived by her son, Aram; his wife, Theresa; and grandchildren Katharine, Caroline and Dmitri.
Her family said that, true to her pragmatic nature, Berberian did not want to have formal funeral services.
More on Trends
The Latest
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
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.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
