This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
After House Fire, Designer Raises Funds for Fire Dept.
Jewelry designer Theresa Kaz wants to give back to the volunteer fire department that risked everything for her home and family.

Paramus, N.J.—Jewelry designer Theresa Kaz had the unthinkable happen: on Friday, her house in New Jersey burned down.
After a candle caught the house on fire, the Paramus Fire Department jumped to action to put it out. One of the firefighters was familiar with Kaz’s family and, knowing they had a dog (but not knowing the dog was already out of the house safely) even ran into the burning house to save it.
Luckily, no one was hurt, but Kaz and her family lost everything.
And though it’s a lot for anyone to handle, Kaz said she’s been overwhelmed with the support of her community; strangers dropped off clothing for her kids, the Paramus mayor came to the house to assure them of their support, and much more.
There’s also been a strong response from the jewelry community, from messages of support to offers to help, and she said the kindness and outpouring from the industry has been heartwarming.
Kaz also said she can’t overstate the love she has for Ylang 23’s The Next Now competition, especially since finding out she was a finalist Thursday evening changed the trajectory of her Friday, putting her and her dog outside of the home in addition to the rest of the family on the day the fire happened.
It also meant that Kaz had, by chance, already taken her entire jewelry collection to her mom’s house to prepare for the competition, so it too was safe from the fire.
So while much has been taken, Kaz said the experience has also allowed her the opportunity to take stock of what’s really important in life—as long as family and friends are safe and healthy, the rest is simply material.
When industry members offered to start a GoFundMe page for Kaz and her family, she realized that what she really wanted to do was raise money for the fire department that had so selflessly helped her that day.
The Paramus Fire Department is a volunteer department made up of four fire companies with a total of 130 members on call around the clock 365 days a year. Some of the men who helped Kaz and her family on the day of the fire even left paying jobs to respond to the call.
With the donations, Kaz is hoping to provide them with funds to make their surroundings at the firehouse
The Contemporary Jewelry Design Group, of which Kaz is a member, has created the GoFundMe page, which is now live and accepting donations.
“There simply are no words to convey the appreciation, respect, and admiration we have and feel for our volunteer firefighters,” Kaz said. “I am still overwhelmed with emotion when I think of their bravery and selflessness. ‘Thank you’ just feels so inadequate.”
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

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.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The 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.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.