Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
IndependentsJun 25, 2021
CBG’s Estelle Hedaya Among Those Missing in Miami Building Collapse
Hedaya, the director of operations for Continental Buying Group and Preferred Jewelers International, lives in the Champlain Towers South.
Estelle Hedaya is a resident of the Surfside, Florida condominum building that partially collapsed early Thursday morning. A beloved industry veteran, Hedaya is the director of operations for Continental Buying Group and Preferred Jewelers International. (Photo courtesy of Estelle Hedaya/Facebook)
Surfside, Florida—Estelle Hedaya, a beloved member of the Continental Buying Group and Preferred Jewelers International teams, is among those unaccounted for following the partial collapse of a beachfront condominium in Surfside, Florida.
The ocean-facing wing of the 12-story Champlain Towers South collapsed around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday.
About 55 of the building’s 136 units came down, The New York Times reported, trapping hundreds of people inside, many of whom were likely asleep at the time of the collapse.
Hedaya is one of the building’s residents.
Originally from Queens, Hedaya worked in the jewelry industry in her native New York for years before relocating to Florida to take the job with CBG about six years ago.
She is the director of operations for both CBG and Preferred Jewelers International, working with many suppliers and retailers.
CBG shared the news that Hedaya is among the missing via social media Thursday morning, posting on Instagram, “Please pray for our Estelle … We are devastated, but hopeful she will be found and safe.”
The posting was met with an outpouring of prayers and well wishes from members of the jewelry industry, and friends also flooded Hedaya’s Facebook page with messages of support and prayers.
“Estelle was my succession plan and was right on track,” CBG President Andie Weinman told National Jeweler via email on Friday.
“We just had our show in Vegas and had never seen her as happy and thriving in her career. She is exceptional working with this organization.”
As of Friday morning, the number of those unaccounted for had risen to 159 from 99, authorities said in a press conference.
The number of people accounted for stands at 120 while four have been confirmed dead.
Officials emphasized Friday that the operation is still is a search-and-rescue mission.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Miami-Dade County’s urban search and rescue team are using dogs, sonar, and cameras to search through the rubble via the parking garage located beneath the building.
“We still have hope we will find people alive,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.
Two funds have been set up to support those impacted by the building collapse, SupportSurfside.org and The Chesed Fund, organized by The Shul of Bar Harbour.
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry ServiceThe new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.
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.
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s SpectacularThe holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ CollectionThe brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy CoreyCorey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado JewelerCharles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next YearTimepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department LeadershipThe auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
