TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
EditorsJul 12, 2012
Milt Gralla, 84: People who build
Milton Gralla, a legendary publishing executive in our business and whom many have known through his lifetime commitment to philanthropy, has passed away at age 84. Though National Jeweler was founded in 1906, it was when Milt and his brother...
Milton Gralla, a legendary publishing executive in our business and whom many have known through his lifetime commitment to philanthropy, has passed away at age 84.
Milt and Larry were real creators, guys who built their highly successful business from the ground up. They began by shepherding together trade journalists in what may have been the first real national network of business-to-business "stringers"--talented reporters who could write on topics across a large span of disciplines. Milt and Larry quickly became known for their honesty and extreme level of trustworthiness among all who worked with and for them, a quality Milt told me several times laid the foundation for their success.
As they grew, a next logical step became the acquisition of magazines. And the Grallas conceived of and developed a readily embraced business model. They would buy properties that were widely recognized in their fields but not living up to their potential. Among an eventually large stable of such titles was National Jeweler, which was being published in Chicago as a monthly, digest-sized magazine.
The Grallas blew it up to its famous tabloid size and positioned it as the news provider to fine jewelry retailers. As such, it served as an essential provider of market news and analysis to generations of North American jewelers.
Milt had a special place in his heart for the jewelry business, and he quickly embarked on a lifetime of service within industry organizations. Especially near to his heart were Jewish philanthropic causes. And even before he had achieved the enormous success he and Larry would go on to enjoy, he established himself as a large donor and participant in a vast number of such efforts.
Milt tried to instill that ethic into those who worked with him, and many of us owe him immense gratitude for steering us along those paths that he pioneered for us.
Milt was a hands-on executive, who never placed himself above those who worked for him. He was reverered for rolling up his sleeves and digging in as a regular guy. He was the type of
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
leader executives and gurus today seem to pay endless lip service to. But he was the real deal.
He did things not just for personal profit. The term today might be "old-school." He did the right things because he believed in doing the right things. He created because he was enormously talented. He shared because he had the heart of a lion.
Milt was a mensch.
Even after he and Larry sold the business they created, they continued to attend company meetings to ensure that those they had left behind were being treated fairly. He continued in his philanthropic ways and expanded to take on teaching journalism courses to young, eager students at a number of institutions, never forgetting the head start given to him by his education in journalism at the City College of New York. Milt loved mentoring young professionals entering the craft and endeavored to give them a leg up as they started out.
I have spent the vast majority of my professional career and nearly half my life trying to follow the example set by this man. In my 23 years at National Jeweler, I have never once forgotten or lost sight of the fact that this magazine was created by an extraordinary individual. And extraordinary individuals are few in life.
Thank you Milton Gralla, and may God grant you that very special place in heaven reserved for people like you.
More on Editors
The Latest
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
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.
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
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.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
