Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
IndependentsOct 07, 2020
Jewelers for Children Welcomes Two New Directors
The charity has added Brittney Zimmer of Reeds Jewelers and Gus Garcia of Bottom Line Marketing to its board.
Jewelers for Children will allow five directors to remain on the board for another year, though their terms were up, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York—Jewelers for Children recently announced changes to its board of directors.
Brittney Zimmer of Reeds Jewelers and Gus Garcia of Bottom Line Marketing are new to the board, both elected to three-year terms as directors.
Debra Puzio, founder and creative director of StarLuxe Branding, LLC, will continue as board chair alongside all current officers for the year 2020-2021.
“Serving as board chair through this very challenging year has truly shown me just how beloved Jewelers for Children is in our great industry, said Puzio.
“The support from our donors has been amazing helping to ensure we will be helping children in need for many years to come.”
The 17 officers re-elected for one-year terms are:
John White, Balfour, vice-president for charity programs,
Jeffrey Cohen, Citizen Watch America, vice president for fundraising,
Howard Hauben, H2 Events/Centurion Jewelry Show, vice president for special programs,
Alan Zimmer, Reeds Jewelers, vice president marketing and public relations,
Bill Luth, Signet Jewelers, Ltd., secretary and
Charles Stanley, Forevermark USA, treasurer.
Pam Mortensen of J.C Penney, will continue as immediate past chair and chair of the nominating committee.
Twelve directors have completed their three-year terms but have been re-elected to an additional three-year term.
The directors are:
Debbie Azar, Gemological Science International,
Chad Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry,
Katherine Bodoh, American Gem Society,
Catherine Coquillard, Coquillard Consulting,
Jack Gabriel, Gabriel & Co.,
Mark Goldberg, Rolex Watch USA,
Steven Kaiser, Kaiser Time,
Sally Morrison, De Beers,
Birain Parikh, Rosy Blue,
Steven Vardi, Steven Vardi, Inc., and
Steven Velasquez, American Exchange Group.
Five directors will remain on the board for another year, though their terms were up, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They are Benny Hematian, Effy Group; Ezriel Rapaport, Rapaport; Elliot Tannenbaum, Leo Schachter Diamonds; Suzanne Adams, Assurant; and Eric Zuckerman, PAC Team Group.
“Having their support and input was determined to be too valuable during this time” said Puzio.
All current terms began on Oct.1 to match up with the charity’s fiscal year.
Founded in 1999, Jewelers for Children has donated nearly $57 million to programs benefiting children affected by illness, abuse, or neglect.
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry ServiceThe new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s SpectacularThe holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ CollectionThe brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy CoreyCorey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado JewelerCharles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next YearTimepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department LeadershipThe auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
