CollectionsApr 08, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30 Years By Asking a QuestionThe “What’s Your Signature?” campaign invites women to think about how they see themselves.
CrimeApr 13, 2021
2 Men Plead Guilty in Murder of Texas Jeweler
The men, one of whom is the late Theodore Shaughnessy’s son, both received 35-year prison sentences.
Austin, Texas—The son of a Texas jeweler murdered in a 2018 home invasion has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after admitting he hired someone to kill his father.
Nicolas Patrick Shaughnessy, 22, entered a guilty plea to a capital murder charge, according to an April 7 announcement from the Travis County District Attorney’s office.
Theodore (Ted) and Corey Shaughnessy, the longtime owners of Gallerie Jewelers, were awoken early on the morning of March 2, 2018 by the sound of their dogs barking.
Ted grabbed his handgun and got up to investigate. Less than a minute later, Corey heard gunfire so she also armed herself and got out of bed.
She and the intruder exchanged gunfire until she ran out of ammunition, at which time she hid in the closet and called 911, remaining there until police came.
When deputies arrived, they discovered Ted’s body with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
The Shaughnessys’ son, Nicolas, and his now ex-wife, Jaclyn Alexa Edison, were both arrested in June 2018 and charged with capital murder in a murder-for-hire plot.
According to the arrest affidavit, Nicolas was the sole beneficiary of a $2 million life insurance policy payout in the event of his parents’ death.
Along with Nicolas, 23-year-old Arieon Smith, who was arrested for his role in the plot in late 2018, also pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
The Travis County District Attorney’s office statement about the pleas said Corey Shaughnessy asked for leniency after the two men pleaded guilty, but the D.A.’s office “determined the sentence to be appropriate.”
Members of the extended family, meanwhile, have spoken out about the plea deal being too generous, according to local news reports.
Edison’s charges are still pending, as is the case involving another suspect connected to Ted’s murder, Johnny Roman Leon III, who was arrested in July 2018, according to the D.A.’s office.
Nicolas Patrick Shaughnessy, 22, entered a guilty plea to a capital murder charge, according to an April 7 announcement from the Travis County District Attorney’s office.
Theodore (Ted) and Corey Shaughnessy, the longtime owners of Gallerie Jewelers, were awoken early on the morning of March 2, 2018 by the sound of their dogs barking.
Ted grabbed his handgun and got up to investigate. Less than a minute later, Corey heard gunfire so she also armed herself and got out of bed.
She and the intruder exchanged gunfire until she ran out of ammunition, at which time she hid in the closet and called 911, remaining there until police came.
When deputies arrived, they discovered Ted’s body with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
The Shaughnessys’ son, Nicolas, and his now ex-wife, Jaclyn Alexa Edison, were both arrested in June 2018 and charged with capital murder in a murder-for-hire plot.
According to the arrest affidavit, Nicolas was the sole beneficiary of a $2 million life insurance policy payout in the event of his parents’ death.
Along with Nicolas, 23-year-old Arieon Smith, who was arrested for his role in the plot in late 2018, also pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
The Travis County District Attorney’s office statement about the pleas said Corey Shaughnessy asked for leniency after the two men pleaded guilty, but the D.A.’s office “determined the sentence to be appropriate.”
Members of the extended family, meanwhile, have spoken out about the plea deal being too generous, according to local news reports.
Edison’s charges are still pending, as is the case involving another suspect connected to Ted’s murder, Johnny Roman Leon III, who was arrested in July 2018, according to the D.A.’s office.
The Latest
SourcingApr 08, 2026
Sale of 42-Carat Blue Diamond Gives Petra a Boost in Q3The big diamond’s sale added to the company’s revenue though the market remains “challenging” overall, particularly for smaller goods.
Events & AwardsApr 08, 2026
AGS Confluence Returns with AI, Sustainability SessionsRob Bates of The Jewelry Wire will also moderate a panel on the state of the jewelry industry during the virtual event.
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.
Events & AwardsApr 08, 2026
TJS to Honor 2 Longtime Former Stuller EmployeesThe Jewelry Symposium will honor two industry veterans with lifetime achievement awards at its upcoming May event.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsApr 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: April’s Brilliant Birthstone With their durability, brilliance, and beauty, diamonds are the perfect stone for everyday birthstone jewelry.
MajorsApr 07, 2026
QVC Group’s Latest Filing Calls Its Future Into QuestionThe retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.
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.
ColumnistsApr 07, 2026
Peter Smith: A Tip to the Post Office on Workplace CultureSmith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.
GradingApr 07, 2026
GIA CFO David Tearle to Retire in June John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Nerd Out Over Gemology Geek’s First Jewelry CollectionFounder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Ukrainian Jewelers Highlighted In New Book“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
