CrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store RobberiesThe 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
IndependentsOct 03, 2018
Carolyn Kelly, Beloved Member of the Industry, Dies at 60
A native New Yorker who worked in jewelry for more than 40 years, Kelly passed away Tuesday following a battle with cancer.
New York—Carolyn Kelly, a beloved member of the industry for more than four decades, died Tuesday at her home in New York following a five-year battle with bile duct cancer. She was 60.
“Our industry lost one of its queens yesterday,” longtime friend Myriam Gumuchian said Wednesday. “Carolyn’s passion and knowledge for our jewelry world was unparalleled.”
Born Nov. 21, 1957 in New York, Kelly lived her entire life in the city. She grew up in Queens and then moved to Manhattan.
She started her career in 1974 as a divisional merchandise manager and buyer at Bloomingdale’s and remained with the retailer for 15 years, learning the business along the way.
Klein and Sybil Yurman used the word “brilliant” to describe Kelly and her merchandising abilities. Both also painted a picture of a woman who wasn’t afraid to tell it like it is but, at the same time, was a kind, loyal friend.
“She was truly brilliant, a very talented merchant with a great sense of humor,” Klein said. “She always saw the truth in everything.”
After Bloomingdale’s, Kelly spent one year at Mastoloni as director of “Gifts from the Sea” before taking a job as the divisional merchandise manager for fine jewelry at Saks Fifth Avenue, where she stayed from 1990 until 1999.
It was in the early ‘90s at Saks that she became a friend and colleague to Peter Webster, the president of Roberto Coin.
“She was one of the icons of the industry,” Webster said of Kelly when reached by phone Wednesday, “and a very loyal friend.”
She also served short stints at internet company Adornis and David Yurman, where she was vice president of merchandising from 2002 to 2003, and worked as a fine jewelry consultant for five years.
Sybil Yurman said Kelly continued to consult with David Yurman after leaving the company.
“She meant a lot to our family," Yurman said, referring to herself, husband David and son Evan. “She was always here in the family business for us.”
In 2006, Kelly and one of her sisters, Nancy Kelly, bought Old World Chain, with Carolyn explaining on her LinkedIn profile that, “After many years as a jewelry retailer and wholesaler, I wanted to be on my own.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
She is survived by her mother, JoAnne; three sisters, Lauren, Nancy and Suzy Kelly; one nephew, Gregory; one niece, Suzanne; and many friends.
“I am blessed to have had [Carolyn] as my friend. She will be forever in my heart, which is very heavy right now,” Gumuchian said. “I will never forget our fun, crazy times together, whether at trade shows, 24 Karat (Club) events, or in my house with my family and friends. She surely knew how to enjoy life. I will miss her and her wisdom ... until we meet again!”
The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Hillebrand Funeral Home in Rego Park (Queens), New York. The funeral is set for Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to The Pancreas Center at Columbia University Medical Center.
Editor's note: This story was updated post-publication to include quotes from Sybil Yurman, Francine Klein and details on services for Carolyn Kelly.
“I am blessed to have had [Carolyn] as my friend. She will be forever in my heart, which is very heavy right now,” Gumuchian said. “I will never forget our fun, crazy times together, whether at trade shows, 24 Karat (Club) events, or in my house with my family and friends. She surely knew how to enjoy life. I will miss her and her wisdom ... until we meet again!”
The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Hillebrand Funeral Home in Rego Park (Queens), New York. The funeral is set for Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to The Pancreas Center at Columbia University Medical Center.
Editor's note: This story was updated post-publication to include quotes from Sybil Yurman, Francine Klein and details on services for Carolyn Kelly.
More on Independents
The Latest
WatchesAug 03, 2026
Citizen's New Spider-Man Watch Is a Collector’s DreamThe watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.
CollectionsAug 03, 2026
Chatham Releases First Men’s CollectionThe new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.
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.
TrendsAug 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Spinel vs. Peridot While some August babies are team peridot, the month's time-honored birthstone, others are team spinel, the newer alternative.
Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
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.
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.
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.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
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.
