CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
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
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused AwardThe winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.
SourcingJun 10, 2025
De Beers Turns to Brown, Yellow Diamonds for New ‘Beacon’“Ombré Desert Diamonds” will emphasize cream-, champagne-, and brown-colored diamonds, shades that set natural stones apart from lab grown.
AuctionsJun 10, 2025
Noonans to Auction 16th-Century Signet RingIt's one of the “Gresham grasshopper” rings English financier Sir Thomas Gresham was known to gift to acquaintances or business associates.
CollectionsJun 10, 2025
Tabayer Names Mary Chiam as CEOThe brand also debuted its new “Zorae” collection featuring a talisman of protection and harmony inspired by a sheaf of wheat.
MajorsJun 10, 2025
Lauren Johansen Joins Loudr As Loudr’s new account manager, Johansen will partner with clients to craft and execute marketing strategies.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
And the Winners of the 2025 Couture Design Awards Are … Designers were recognized in 12 categories, from platinum to pearls, before the evening ended with a new, retail-focused award.
AuctionsJun 09, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Sells for $1.2MThe rare turquoise and diamond jewel was the top lot at Bonhams’ June jewelry sale.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
MajorsJun 09, 2025
RDI Diamonds Partners With LavalierThe diamond wholesaler is working with the insurance provider to seamlessly offer personal jewelry insurance to RDI retailers’ clients.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
