Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
WJA Names its ‘Shining Stars’ for 2016
The 12 honorees will be recognized at the association’s annual In the Spotlight event, slated for March 10 in New York.

New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association has named its Shining Stars for 2016, those regional members who have given extraordinary service to their respective chapters over the past year.
The 12 honorees will be recognized at the WJA’s annual In the Spotlight event, scheduled for March 10 at Convene in New York, immediately following the In the Know conference.
Below are the WJA’s Shining Stars for 2016, listed alphabetically by chapter.
Martha Seely serves as co-chair of the events committee for the Boston chapter, and also is the designer behind her eponymous fine jewelry brand. She has studied with master jewelers exploring and refining various jewelry-making techniques, and her work has been carried in galleries and at various retail events and venues.
Rebecca Hinrichs Reynoso is a photographer specializing in fine jewelry and a member of the Chicago chapter. She launched her photography company A.Ver.Foto in 2015, and now has a studio on Chicago’s Jewelers Row.
Jackie Brooks chairs the scholarship committee for the WJA Colorado chapter. She works for her family’s advertising business, Bottom Line Marketing, where she oversees the jewelry division and creative department.
Robert Loving from the Dallas chapter is the vice president of sales at Time Delay Corp., a family business he has been involved with since 1991.
Sabrina Bindra is the director of sales and marketing at B&B Fine Gems and co-president of the Los Angeles chapter. A graduate gemologist and accredited jewelry professional, she also is a member of the 24 Karat Club of Southern California, the GIA Alumni Association and the Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association.
JCK magazine’s Market Editor Jennifer Heebner is the president-elect of the New York Metro chapter. An award-winning journalist, she writes about jewelry industry-specific business issues as they relate to retailers.
Sarah Thomas is an active board member of the Northern California chapter and works with Jahan Diamonds on the Square in San Francisco. A graduate gemologist, Thomas focuses her WJA efforts on special events and improving the member experience.
Meg Carroll chairs publicity and communications for the Ohio/Kentucky chapter. She is a Fashion Institute of Technology graduate and opened her own store, Meg C Jewelry Gallery, in 2012 in downtown Lexington.
Maureen Murphy is secretary of the Providence chapter and works for precious metals findings company Lee’s Manufacturing.
Pheap Lorn-Canossi of Phenomenon Jewels serves as the San Diego chapter’s secretary and public relations chair. She has her Graduate Diamonds and
Jessica Neiwert is the founder of the Seattle chapter, and currently serves as past president and vice president. She also is a fine jewelry designer and freelances in graphic design, photography and illustration.
Carol Brady handles membership and social media for the Twin Cities chapter and also serves on the board of the Minnesota/North Dakota Jewelers Association.
“Congratulations to WJA’s dedicated volunteers, who give their precious time to help women in the jewelry and watch industries advance and develop professionally through networking, education and leadership development,” WJA President Brandee Dallow said. “These individuals embody WJA’s mission and we look forward to honoring them.”
To purchase tickets for the In the Spotlight event, visit the WJA website.
The Latest

Alberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.

The “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Four directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.


Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.

The jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.

The auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.

Fine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.

Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.

Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.

The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.






















