The organization also announced its board of directors.
Edge Retail Academy Creates William Wagner Award
Named in honor of the late adviser, the award is to be given annually to a jewelry store.

New York—Edge Retail Academy (ERA) has given out its first William “Wag” Wagner Business Excellence Award.
Created to honor the ERA advisor who died last year (pictured inset), the award and $1,000 prize is intended to recognize one stellar jewelry business annually.
This month, ERA gave Sophie Shor and Lucy Zimmerman of Roman Jewelers the inaugural William Wagner Business Excellence Award.
Located in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, the family-owned business has spanned four generations, ERA said, with its current business existing for more than 30 years and boasting a special penchant for custom design work.
Roman Jewelers has used ERA services for two years.
“Sophie and Lucy were very open-minded to implement industry best practices,” said ERA Director of Business Development Sherry Smith. “They focused extensively on improving the margins of their sales team through a new compensation plan.”
ERA said the plan increased Roman Jewelers’ gross profit 16 percent.
Shor said, “My daughter Lucy and I never would have believed we were capable of accomplishing our margin goals without the guidance of Sherry and the Edge Retail Academy. They have made a measurable impact to our business.”
The Latest

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.


Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

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

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.

The online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.

The opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.

The “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.