FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
IndependentsMar 05, 2020
Bob Lynn, the ‘Magician Jeweler,’ Dies at 68
The longtime American Gem Society jeweler owned Lynn’s Jewelry Studio in Ventura, California.
Ventura, Calif.—Bob Lynn, the longtime American Gem Society jeweler who once made Bill Farmer disappear on stage at Conclave, died over the weekend.
He was 68.
As an apprentice, he learned the fundamentals of jewelry work, including how to cut, carve and facet gemstones.
After studying physics in college, Lynn got a job as a junior engineer at the Pacific Missile Test Center in Point Mugu, California while still honing his jewelry skills by working part-time out of a crafts arcade.
“All through high school and college, I always had at least two jobs, one of which was jewelry,” Lynn told Spectra. “Because I was well-schooled in manufacturing and production of precision parts for aerospace, translating those skills to jewelry was natural.”
In 1973, he opened his first brick-and-mortar store, Lynn’s Jewelry Studio, and joined AGS.
Over the next 40-plus years, he created a wide variety of custom designs for his clients and one very important pin—Lynn was the jeweler behind the Shipley pin, which is given to the recipient of the Robert M. Shipley Award every year.
AGS said he made every Shipley pin to date, at no charge to the association.
Lynn retired from his store in 2017, passing the torch to his colleague John Muscarella, who worked alongside him for 22 years and still operates Lynn’s Jewelry Studio today.
After his “retirement,” the jeweler continued to work—he took on process engineering projects with a partner and, in October 2019, traveled to Europe for two weeks to perform an appraisal.
Lynn also constructed a lapidary and jewelry workshop where he worked on cutting and finishing his personal collection of gemstones.
Outside of the jewelry industry, Lynn was a 50-year member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and a member of the Academy of Magical Arts, better known as Los Angeles’ Magic Castle, earning himself the nickname the “Magician Jeweler.”
The Spectra article recalled one specific trick.
At Conclave 1997 in Chicago, jeweler Bill Farmer delivered the closing address, which included announcing the following year’s theme—“Magic of AGS.”
Lynn came on stage with his “assistant,” Gary Long, and made Farmer “disappear” using a
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
chair, a folding table and a drape.
“We learned the sad news this weekend that Bob Lynn passed away,” AGS President Katherine Bodoh said in a message shared with AGS members earlier this week.
“Bob made a lasting impact on our community … He loved our community, and what we represented to the industry and jewelry buyers. We will be forever grateful to Bob for his contributions. Our thoughts go out to his loved ones.”
“We learned the sad news this weekend that Bob Lynn passed away,” AGS President Katherine Bodoh said in a message shared with AGS members earlier this week.
“Bob made a lasting impact on our community … He loved our community, and what we represented to the industry and jewelry buyers. We will be forever grateful to Bob for his contributions. Our thoughts go out to his loved ones.”
More on Independents
The Latest
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
