AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
SourcingJan 25, 2017
Suna Bros.’ Perle Suna Dies at 95
The longtime driving force behind jewelry manufacturer Suna Bros. lived her life with “fierce courage, singular independence and elegant grace.”
Perle Suna wearing Suna Bros.’ Queen Anne’s Lace necklace, her favorite piece of jewelry made by her family’s business.
New York--Perle Suna, the longtime driving force behind jewelry manufacturer Suna Bros. and a beloved figure in the jewelry industry, has died. She was 95.
Born Perle Wurtzel on June 30, 1921 in Brooklyn, New York, Suna graduated from Brooklyn College with a degree in English and later earned a master’s in education from Adelphi University.
She married Kenneth Suna--who started Suna Bros. with his brother Joel after apprenticing under jewelers in Warsaw, Poland in the late 1920s--during World War II while he was stationed at an Army/Air Force Base in Florida. The couple eventually settled in Freeport, Long Island and had three children, Aron, Lila and Jonathan.
Suna spent her time in Freeport championing for the disadvantaged.
Then, one day in 1972 she went to work at the Suna Bros. offices on what was supposed to be a temporary basis, filling in for an office manager who had suddenly resigned. After interviewing candidates for three days, she decided that she was best suited to fill the position and so she stayed, for the next 38 years.
During that time, Suna was a driving force behind the company, working alongside her husband until his death in 1975 and then with her two sons.
A member of the American Gem Society, Suna became a certified gemologist and a registered supplier along the way and attended many of the AGS’s annual Conclave events, and was known for hosting a biannual industry party, which many people attended just to be regaled by her.
She also had the chance to be one of the founding members of the Women’s Jewelry Association but declined because she didn’t believe in the exclusivity of the sexes and, instead, championed combined equality.
She retired from Suna Bros. in 2009 when she was 88 years old.
Outside of work, Suna loved Tudor history, opera, bridge, movies and, perhaps most of all, books. She had a nearly lifelong book-a-day habit--her favorite was mystery author Dick Frances--and finished 32,120 titles in her lifetime.
She is survived by her younger sisters, Elaine Surnamer and Delores Siegel; her children; Jonathan, Lila and Aron (Marjorie); and six grandchildren, Kenneth, Claire, Natalie, Carolyn, Phillip and Lauren.
Services took place Monday at Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York.
Contributions may be made in her memory to the Mt. Sinai Visiting Doctors Program or the Anti-Defamation League.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
