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.
IndependentsApr 26, 2021
Longtime Los Angeles Master Jeweler Fernando Abenoza Dies at 79
A lover of tango and music as well as jewelry, Abenoza succumbed to COVID-19 in December.
Los Angeles—Fernando Abenoza, a master jeweler who also loved rock’n’roll and dancing the tango, died late last year of COVID-19.
He was 79.
Born in Bogotá, Colombia in 1941, Abenoza came to the United States in 1970 and took up residence in Los Angeles County, where he would stay for most of his adult life.
According to an obituary provided by his daughter, Andrea Abenoza-Filardi, he learned the craft of jewelry-making and design from his father.
It was through his craft that he developed an appreciation for all that was beautiful.
Working out of downtown L.A., a hub for jewelry manufacturers, Abenoza was known for his detailed, high-end pieces, and he won many jewelry design awards over the years.
One piece he made for Cartier landed on the cover of the Gemological Institute of America’s quarterly journal, Gems & Gemology.
He also, according to his obituary, was respected among Downtown L.A. jewelry manufacturers for his precise methodology for platinum/iridium casting and, later, for his early adoption—and perfection of—the art of laser welding.
Outside of jewelry, Abenoza loved animals and always had a menagerie of pets—cats, dogs, fish, and birds.
He was a huge fan of music, especially piano and rock’n’roll, and formed a group with one of his brothers and a few friends. This group had the chance to perform with rock’n’roll legend Bill Haley in Colombia.
He loved to dance the tango, and was “never happier” than when he was on the dance floor.
Abenoza also was, according to his obituary, a “hopeless romantic with a sensitive heart.”
When he was a young man, he was known to serenade girls outside their windows with an accordion.
Once, as the story goes, a father of one of these girls—who apparently did not appreciate a free concert—poured a bucket of water onto his head to get him to stop singing.
Abenoza is survived by two adult children, Andrea and David Abenoza; brothers, Esteban Abenoza and Jaime Abenoza; and two sisters, Margarita Rodriquez and Isabel Abenoza.
“You can be sure that he is flirting, cracking jokes and dancing tango wherever he is,” his obituary concludes, “and that his exquisite jewelry will live on forever.”
He was 79.
Born in Bogotá, Colombia in 1941, Abenoza came to the United States in 1970 and took up residence in Los Angeles County, where he would stay for most of his adult life.
According to an obituary provided by his daughter, Andrea Abenoza-Filardi, he learned the craft of jewelry-making and design from his father.
It was through his craft that he developed an appreciation for all that was beautiful.
Fernando Abenoza
Working out of downtown L.A., a hub for jewelry manufacturers, Abenoza was known for his detailed, high-end pieces, and he won many jewelry design awards over the years.
One piece he made for Cartier landed on the cover of the Gemological Institute of America’s quarterly journal, Gems & Gemology.
He also, according to his obituary, was respected among Downtown L.A. jewelry manufacturers for his precise methodology for platinum/iridium casting and, later, for his early adoption—and perfection of—the art of laser welding.
Outside of jewelry, Abenoza loved animals and always had a menagerie of pets—cats, dogs, fish, and birds.
He was a huge fan of music, especially piano and rock’n’roll, and formed a group with one of his brothers and a few friends. This group had the chance to perform with rock’n’roll legend Bill Haley in Colombia.
He loved to dance the tango, and was “never happier” than when he was on the dance floor.
Abenoza also was, according to his obituary, a “hopeless romantic with a sensitive heart.”
When he was a young man, he was known to serenade girls outside their windows with an accordion.
Once, as the story goes, a father of one of these girls—who apparently did not appreciate a free concert—poured a bucket of water onto his head to get him to stop singing.
Abenoza is survived by two adult children, Andrea and David Abenoza; brothers, Esteban Abenoza and Jaime Abenoza; and two sisters, Margarita Rodriquez and Isabel Abenoza.
“You can be sure that he is flirting, cracking jokes and dancing tango wherever he is,” his obituary concludes, “and that his exquisite jewelry will live on forever.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
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.
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 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.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income ShoppersThe retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-ElectThe Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Bulgari Opens Store in San DiegoThe new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.
CrimeAug 04, 2026
Crew of Thieves Break Into Indiana Jeweler’s HomeFour men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American MarketAndré Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires GemlokNew York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.
CollectionsAug 04, 2026
Musician Carlos Santana Launches Jewelry BrandSantana Now's debut collection, “Unidad,” features symbolic motifs as well as pieces of wood from the Woodstock stage.
