EditorsSep 12, 2025
Out & About: Mining Sapphires in Rock Creek, MontanaAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.
IndependentsApr 22, 2020
Lucia Greene, Former Owner of Wick & Greene Jewelers, Dies at 90
She was a compassionate and generous person whose “sweet and feisty spirit will forever be a part of everyone who knew her.”
Asheville, N.C.—Lucia Greene, who owned and operated Wick & Greene Jewelers (now Spicer Greene) for decades with her husband, died April 18.
She was 90 years old. 
She spent her childhood in North Asheville, North Carolina, and eventually moved to West Asheville.
She attended school in the Asheville City School system, graduating from Lee Edwards High School, and was a lifelong member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Greene married the love of her life, the late jeweler Paul Greene, in 1948. The two were married for 63 years before his passing in 2011.
She was a hard worker her whole life, according to an online obituary.
Greene worked as an operator at the Southern Bell telephone company, a bookkeeper and personal assistant at Matthews Ford, and, once her children were in school, alongside her husband at Wick and Greene Jewelers.
Together, the two grew the business into one of the premier jewelers in the country.
It became Spicer Greene Jewelers in 2016 and is now helmed by the fourth generation, their granddaughter Eva-Michelle Spicer and her husband, Elliott.
Greene’s family said she was a loving and dedicated wife as well, and a devoted mother to her children, Michael Greene (wife, Eva) and Paula (Greene) Webb (husband, Steve).
She was “especially proud” of her three grandchildren—Christopher Webb and wife, Jennifer; Paul Webb and wife, Jessica; and Eva-Michelle and Elliott—and loved visits from her great-grandson, Caleb Webb.
Greene’s family was her greatest pride and joy, and it extended in her later years to include the caregivers and her three closest friends at the Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community.
She was an ardent animal lover and philanthropist, supporting several causes benefitting her church, local animal agencies and her city.
Together with Paul and their son Michael, they were the pioneers who led the revitalization of downtown Asheville in the 1980s.
Greene taught everyone compassion, humility, generosity, perseverance and love, the obituary said, adding, “She will be missed, but her sweet and feisty spirit will forever be a part of everyone who knew her.”
Due to the current pandemic, the family will hold an intimate graveside service, with a celebration of Greene’s life to take place at a later date.
A charitable endowment has been established in Paul and Lucia Greene’s name to help young entrepreneurs.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Paul and Lucia Greene Charitable Endowment at the Community Foundation of WNC at 4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Asheville, NC 28803.
Donations also may be made to Calvary Baptist Church at 531 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806; Memory Care at 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville NC 28803; or to the Asheville Humane Society at 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville, NC 28806.
Donations also may be made to Calvary Baptist Church at 531 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806; Memory Care at 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville NC 28803; or to the Asheville Humane Society at 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville, NC 28806.
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsSep 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Arunashi’s Fordite and Rhodolite EarringsFordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2025
Al Gilbertson Wins 2025 Robert M. Shipley AwardGilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case in November A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 11, 2025
Tabayer Opens Nordstrom Shop-In-ShopLocated in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.
SourcingSep 11, 2025
Need to Sell More Natural Diamonds? De Beers Has an App for ThatThe new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to AccountAs the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. HeadphonesJacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
Events & AwardsSep 08, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in NovemberNYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
