Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
IndependentsJan 27, 2017
National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame Returns
John Henne, Sissy Jones and Jean-Christophe Bédos of Birks Group are the jewelers who comprise the 2017 class of inductees.
The 2017 inductees into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame are, from left to right, John Henne, Sissy Jones and Jean-Christophe Bédos.
New York--National Jeweler is bringing back yet another popular feature.
For the first time in five years, the jewelry trade magazine is naming jewelers to its Retailer Hall of Fame and honoring them with a special issue that will be published in mid-May.
National Jeweler first introduced the Retailer Hall of Fame in 1989 as a way to recognize jewelers who have made significant contributions to jewelry retailing and inspired their peers.
Each year between 1989 and 2012, the publication inducted retailers in three categories based on their store’s size: single-store independent, multi-store independent and majors.
For 2017, the inductees are as follows.
-- Single-store independent: John Henne, Henne Jewelers, Pittsburgh
-- Multi-store independent: Sissy Jones, Sissy’s Log Cabin, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
-- Majors: Jean-Christophe Bédos, Birks Group Inc., Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Henne is the owner and president of Henne Jewelers in Pittsburgh and is the fourth generation to run the store that his great-grandfather, Rudolph Joseph Henne, opened in 1887.
Located in the city’s upscale Shadyside neighborhood, Henne Jewelers has been named the “Best Jeweler” in the city by Pittsburgh Magazine every year since 2009 and, under Henne’s leadership, the store also has been honored for its ethics and workplace culture.
Henne serves as the chair-elect of Jewelers of America’s board of directors.
Jones opened an antiques and jewelry store in a literal log cabin in 1970 and since has grown the business to four stores, in Pine Bluff, Jonesboro and Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee.
Over the course of her career, she has received numerous accolades, including the Arkansas Jewelers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Retailer of the Year Award from the Women’s Jewelry Association and the 2015 Arkansan of the Year award from Easter Seals.
She also is an inductee into another Hall of Fame, that of the WJA, which honored Jones at its event this past July.
Bédos started his career in the jewelry industry 29 years ago at Cartier, rising to become the iconic brand’s managing director in France between 2002 and 2004 and international executive manager alongside the president of parent company Richemont from 2000 to 2002.
From May 2004 to June 2011, he was the president and CEO of Boucheron International, which is owned by Kering (formerly PPR).
Birks hired Bédos as its new president and CEO in April 2012.
The company, which ranks No. 21 on the 2016 $100 Million Supersellers and No. 22 on the Top 50 Retail Jewelry Chains by store count lists, operates Birks stores in Canada and as well as Mayors stores in the southeastern United States.
For the first time in five years, the jewelry trade magazine is naming jewelers to its Retailer Hall of Fame and honoring them with a special issue that will be published in mid-May.
National Jeweler first introduced the Retailer Hall of Fame in 1989 as a way to recognize jewelers who have made significant contributions to jewelry retailing and inspired their peers.
Each year between 1989 and 2012, the publication inducted retailers in three categories based on their store’s size: single-store independent, multi-store independent and majors.
For 2017, the inductees are as follows.
-- Single-store independent: John Henne, Henne Jewelers, Pittsburgh
-- Multi-store independent: Sissy Jones, Sissy’s Log Cabin, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
-- Majors: Jean-Christophe Bédos, Birks Group Inc., Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Henne is the owner and president of Henne Jewelers in Pittsburgh and is the fourth generation to run the store that his great-grandfather, Rudolph Joseph Henne, opened in 1887.
Located in the city’s upscale Shadyside neighborhood, Henne Jewelers has been named the “Best Jeweler” in the city by Pittsburgh Magazine every year since 2009 and, under Henne’s leadership, the store also has been honored for its ethics and workplace culture.
Henne serves as the chair-elect of Jewelers of America’s board of directors.
Jones opened an antiques and jewelry store in a literal log cabin in 1970 and since has grown the business to four stores, in Pine Bluff, Jonesboro and Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee.
Over the course of her career, she has received numerous accolades, including the Arkansas Jewelers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Retailer of the Year Award from the Women’s Jewelry Association and the 2015 Arkansan of the Year award from Easter Seals.
She also is an inductee into another Hall of Fame, that of the WJA, which honored Jones at its event this past July.
Bédos started his career in the jewelry industry 29 years ago at Cartier, rising to become the iconic brand’s managing director in France between 2002 and 2004 and international executive manager alongside the president of parent company Richemont from 2000 to 2002.
From May 2004 to June 2011, he was the president and CEO of Boucheron International, which is owned by Kering (formerly PPR).
Birks hired Bédos as its new president and CEO in April 2012.
The company, which ranks No. 21 on the 2016 $100 Million Supersellers and No. 22 on the Top 50 Retail Jewelry Chains by store count lists, operates Birks stores in Canada and as well as Mayors stores in the southeastern United States.
More on Independents
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
