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.
IndependentsDec 03, 2019
Remembering Stuller’s ‘Tool Guy,’ Andy Kroungold
The longtime Stuller employee is described as a kind, genuine and knowledgeable man who is irreplaceable.
Andrew S. Kroungold, better known in the jewelry industry as “Andy the Tool Guy,” died last week at a hospital in Youngsville, Louisiana.
Lafayette, La.—Andrew S. Kroungold, the longtime Stuller employee better known as “Andy the Tool Guy,” died last Wednesday morning at a hospital in Youngsville, Louisiana.
He was 66 years old.
In a statement issued immediately following Kroungold’s passing, Stuller said: “Andy’s infectious personality and joyous outlook on life put a smile on everyone’s face that he encountered.
“He was beloved by our Stuller family and equally beloved by our customers.”
Born July 26, 1953, Kroungold spent most of his life in Youngsville, a suburb of Lafayette.
He was on the swim team in high school and attended college at Florida International University, earning a bachelor’s degree in business.
Kroungold started his career in the jewelry industry with jewelers’ equipment and supply company Swest Inc. in Atlanta in the 1980s.
He was hired by Stuller in 1999.
He held a variety of jobs in his 20 years at Stuller, mostly recently working as tools business director.
News of Kroungold’s death generated an outpouring of remembrances online, with many describing him as a great man who was helpful and knowledgeable.
A fixture at jewelry trade shows nationwide, he was “the man” for many independent jewelers when it came to tool needs.
On National Jeweler’s Facebook page, one commenter said “The Tool Guy” assisted her in assembling her “dream bench.”
“As a jeweler starting out, it has meant the world to me,” she wrote.
“I’ll never forget him and what he did. My most heartfelt condolences to his family and the Stuller family as well. We have lost a great one.”
Another commenter wrote: “I will miss this gentle giant of a man, and will think of him often as I use the endless tools and equipment he helped me with, and I will especially miss the exchange we would have when I call in … about some new tool or piece of equipment.
“I know Andy will be greatly missed by his family and our industry community. It isn’t often that a person becomes famous in their trade simply by doing their job with passion, love and personality.”
WATCH: Faces of Stuller - Andy Kroungold
{youtube}Olw9fDOGjvA#action=share{/youtube}
In a profile created for the company’s video series “Faces of Stuller” in 2018, Kroungold said he earned the nickname “The Tool Guy” before he even started at Stuller.
Over the course of his career, he built relationships with customers that spanned
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
generations, selling tools to jewelers and then, years later, selling to their children and grandchildren when they took over the family business.
“I work hard to provide honesty, respect and salesmanship to my customers every time,” Kroungold said in the video. “My goal is to make the customer happy so they will always come back.”
His colleagues at Stuller said “Andy the Tool Guy” will be missed by everyone.
“Andy was a great man, trusted colleague, and good friend who will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched,” Ken Dugas, Stuller’s customer events logistics manager, said.
“There is no other Andy; no one else in the industry like him,” said Vice President of Merchandising Tammy Lail.
“I was fortunate to not only work with him, but to love him as family. He will be deeply missed by so many.”
Kroungold is survived by his son, Robert L. Kroungold, and daughter-in-law, Hannah L. Kroungold, of Dallas; sister, Amy Mittelberg, and brother-in-law, Rickey Mittelberg; one nephew, Brian Mittelberg; two nieces, Rachel Cohen and Alissa Mittelberg; and his grand-pups, Auggie and Dash.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon Kroungold and Marion Silver Kroungold.
Services were held Monday at Martin & Castille Funeral Home in Lafayette.
Barry L. Weinstein, the rabbi emeritus of Congregation B’nai Israel in Baton Rouge and rabbi of Temple Sinai of Lake Charles, Louisiana, conducted the services.
His son Robert served as pallbearer.
More on Independents
The Latest
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.
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.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
