AuctionsApr 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding EarringsThese earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.
Events & AwardsJun 10, 2016
WJA Announces Awards for Excellence Nominees
The Women’s Jewelry Association has released the list of nominees for its annual awards, which will take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom this year.
Nominations were made across eight categories including design (nominees pictured here), manufacturing, retail (which is split into three sub-categories), sales, marketing, editorial, special services and watches.
New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association has released its list of nominees for their annual “Awards for Excellence.”
Awards will be given out across eight categories, including design, manufacturing, retail, (which is split into three sub-categories), sales, marketing, editorial, special services and watches. Three to five nominees were chosen in each category or sub-category.
“Each nominee exemplifies the great power, incredible work ethic, intellect and talent of women throughout the jewelry and watch industries,” said Brandee Dallow, president of the Women’s Jewelry Association. “These women are the leaders, mentors and influencers that will propel our business into the future.”
Awards will also be given to three WJA Hall of Fame honorees: a WJA Lifetime Achievement Award to Sissy Jones, owner of Sissy’s Log Cabin; a Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award to Peter Engel, president of Fred Meyer Jewelers’ and a WJA Corporate Award to Ben Bridge Jeweler.
The awards will also provide an opportunity to raise funds, via a silent auction and raffle, for the WJA Foundation, which gives scholarships and grants to women in the jewelry industry. Last year, the WJA raised a total of $60,000 at its gala.
WJA members and industry professionals voted online to nominate industry members for the awards during the month of January. A panel of past winners selected the final nominees, and will choose the winner of each category, to be announced at the Awards for Excellence gala on Monday, July 25.
This year, the gala will take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom on 34th Street, in close proximity to the JA New York trade show, which will be held at the Javits Convention Center.
See below for a full list of nominees.
Category 1 - Design, Fine Jewelry and Watches:
Malak Atut, owner/designer, Zaiken Jewelry
Wendy Brandes, owner/president, Wendy Brandes Jewelry
Jennifer Dawes, principal/designer, Jennifer Dawes Design
Claudia Kretchmer, president, Steven Kretchmer
Ilaria Lonzoni, design director, Hearts On Fire
Category 2 - Manufacturer, Dealer, Supplier:
Nina Cooper, chief creative officer and president, Nina Designs Ltd.
Donna DeLucia, chief commercial officer, North America, Intercontinental Jewellery Manufacturing, PCL (Thailand)
Tiffany Kay of Tiffany Kay (nominated for her work as former vice president of merchandising, Scott Kay)
Grace Terezian, vice president and creative director, Kirk Kara
Category 3A - Retail, 15 or More Doors:
Jacqueline Cassaway, divisional vice president, Helzberg Diamonds
Marta Nowakowski, VP divisional merchandise manager, Jewelry, Watches and Home, Saks Fifth Avenue
Toby Ritchie, marketing director, Harry Ritchie’s Jewelers
Jamie Singleton, senior vice president, Signet Jewelers
Category 3B -
Retail, 15 or Fewer Doors:
Soraya Cayen, CEO, Cayen Collection
Jennifer Gandia and Christina Gandia Gambale, co-owners, Greenwich St. Jewelers
Alexis Padis, director of operations, Padis Jewelry
Trish Roberson, owner, Roberson’s Fine Jewelry
Category 3C - Retail, Non Traditional:
Ivka Adam, founder & CEO, Iconery
Kate Fordham, operations manager, Ritani
Beth Gerstein, co-CEO/founder, Brilliant Earth
Kris Kulesza, senior vice president merchandising, Jewelry Television
Category 4 - Sales and Merchandising:
Ramona Genao-Archibald, executive vice president, sales and merchandising, Richline Group
Rachel Jackson, jewelry director, The Knot
Maren Rosen, vice president, merchandising, Stuller Inc.
Nikki Siegel, executive vice president, Armenta
Category 5 - Marketing and Communications:
Ashley Brown, executive director, marketing and public relations, Stuller Inc.
Jen Cullen Williams, managing director, Luxury Brand Group
Hayley Henning, vice president, sales, marketing, and development, True North Gems
Donna Jolly, director, marketing, American Gem Society
Category 6 - Editorial Media:
Shane Clark, senior fashion & accessories editor, Brides
Hannah Connorton, retailer account manager, Luxury & Luxury Prive, Reed Exhibitions (nominated for her work as former senior editor at National Jeweler)
Barbara Palumbo, founder/editor-in-chief, Adornmentality
Syl Tang, contributor, Financial Times Watches & Jewellery, CEO, HipGuide
Category 7 - Special Services:
Dona Mary Dirlam, director of RTL Library and Information Center, Gemological Institute of America Debbie Hiss, owner, Debbie Hiss Consulting
Kristie Nicolosi, president & CEO, The Kingswood Company
Kate Peterson, president/CEO, Performance Concepts, Inc.
Category 8 - Watches:
Stacie Orloff, former president, Bell & Ross, the Americas
Michelle Peranteau, former director of marketing and communication, Baume et Mercier
Ellen Seckler, vice president- marketing, Citizen Watch Company of America
Soraya Cayen, CEO, Cayen Collection
Jennifer Gandia and Christina Gandia Gambale, co-owners, Greenwich St. Jewelers
Alexis Padis, director of operations, Padis Jewelry
Trish Roberson, owner, Roberson’s Fine Jewelry
Category 3C - Retail, Non Traditional:
Ivka Adam, founder & CEO, Iconery
Kate Fordham, operations manager, Ritani
Beth Gerstein, co-CEO/founder, Brilliant Earth
Kris Kulesza, senior vice president merchandising, Jewelry Television
Category 4 - Sales and Merchandising:
Ramona Genao-Archibald, executive vice president, sales and merchandising, Richline Group
Rachel Jackson, jewelry director, The Knot
Maren Rosen, vice president, merchandising, Stuller Inc.
Nikki Siegel, executive vice president, Armenta
Category 5 - Marketing and Communications:
Ashley Brown, executive director, marketing and public relations, Stuller Inc.
Jen Cullen Williams, managing director, Luxury Brand Group
Hayley Henning, vice president, sales, marketing, and development, True North Gems
Donna Jolly, director, marketing, American Gem Society
Category 6 - Editorial Media:
Shane Clark, senior fashion & accessories editor, Brides
Hannah Connorton, retailer account manager, Luxury & Luxury Prive, Reed Exhibitions (nominated for her work as former senior editor at National Jeweler)
Barbara Palumbo, founder/editor-in-chief, Adornmentality
Syl Tang, contributor, Financial Times Watches & Jewellery, CEO, HipGuide
Category 7 - Special Services:
Dona Mary Dirlam, director of RTL Library and Information Center, Gemological Institute of America Debbie Hiss, owner, Debbie Hiss Consulting
Kristie Nicolosi, president & CEO, The Kingswood Company
Kate Peterson, president/CEO, Performance Concepts, Inc.
Category 8 - Watches:
Stacie Orloff, former president, Bell & Ross, the Americas
Michelle Peranteau, former director of marketing and communication, Baume et Mercier
Ellen Seckler, vice president- marketing, Citizen Watch Company of America
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Recorded WebinarsApr 11, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Saving Time With AITwo experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.
SourcingApr 11, 2025
Mikimoto Names New President, CEO for U.S. DivisionKentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.
WatchesApr 11, 2025
Bulova Documentary Now on Amazon Prime“America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” explores the storied history of the American watchmaker.
Weekly QuizApr 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 10, 2025
Trump Presses Pause on Higher Tariffs for 90 DaysAn across-the-board tariff of 10 percent remains in place for all U.S. trading partners, except China.
MajorsApr 10, 2025
Brilliant Earth Taps Influencers, Their Moms for Mother’s Day CampaignBrigette Pheloung and Tania Sarin, and their mothers, star in the campaign wearing medallions they co-designed.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
MajorsApr 10, 2025
Pary LeVian, Matriarch of the LeVian Family, Dies at 96LeVian is remembered for her unwavering commitment to her family, community, and helping others.
EditorsApr 09, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.
MajorsApr 09, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Opens Flagship in BrazilThe new store in the upscale Iguatemi São Paulo mall is the storied brand’s first flagship in Brazil.
AuctionsApr 09, 2025
Bonhams to Offer Selection of Chaumet JewelsThe pieces span from the Art Deco period to the 1970s and will go up for auction at the Paris Jewels sale later this month.
MajorsApr 09, 2025
Pandora Names Tyla as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, who is set to perform at Coachella this month, also debuted a curated selection from the brand.
GradingApr 08, 2025
GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick InGIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.
WatchesApr 08, 2025
Here Are the New Rolex Watches for 2025The introductions include the Land-Dweller, Rolex’s first new model since 2012, as well as several new dials for its classic timepieces.
MajorsApr 08, 2025
Willis Cowlishaw, Zale Executive and Mentor to Many, Dies at 98Cowlishaw earned a degree in horology after serving in World War II, working at one of the first Zales stores in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
AuctionsApr 07, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Heading to Auction in Hong KongBonhams will offer the “Kat Florence Lumina” at its May 22 jewelry auction.
CrimeApr 07, 2025
Third Man Involved in $2.7M Smash-and-Grab Is SentencedIn March 2022, the men went into a jewelry store in Beverly Hills and smashed the display cases with sledgehammers and crowbars.
AuctionsApr 07, 2025
Sotheby’s ‘Area_51’ Watch Auction Totals $1.6MThe 51 unique watches from Sotheby’s three-day sale and immersive exhibition all found buyers, with the top lot selling for $229,955.
MajorsApr 07, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Expands to Australia Via New AcquisitionThe company has acquired Australian jewelry insurance provider Jewellers Loop.
AuctionsApr 04, 2025
25-Carat Burmese Sapphire Brooch Sells for $101KA pink topaz Belle Époque pendant-brooch and a Victorian Egyptian Revival choker were also highlights at a recent Anderson & Garland sale.
SourcingApr 04, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade to Hold Inaugural International Jade SummitThe event, which will co-locate with the Monterey Bay Jade Festival, will bring education sessions focused on jade to the United States.
CollectionsApr 04, 2025
Piece of the Week: Heather B. Moore’s ‘Lily of the Valley’ CharmThe charm is a celebration of springtime as April showers bring May flowers with the piece’s cluster of diamond raindrops.
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRFThe National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
