Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
Longtime Salesman Bill Furman to Retire
He will officially leave his current role as Reed Jewelry Group’s sales executive for Jewelers International Showcase this July.
Norwalk, Conn.--After devoting his entire career to the jewelry industry, longtime JCK salesman Bill Furman will retire this July.
Furman started selling advertising and marketing opportunities for JCK magazine and Rand McNally in 1971.
He was a part of the launch of the JCK Las Vegas trade show 21 years later, in 1992.
Today, Furman works as Reed Jewelry Group’s sales executive for Jewelers International Showcase (JIS), a job he took after Reed acquired JIS in 2015.
Commenting on his retirement, Senior Vice President of Reed Jewelry Group Yancy Weinrich said: “When I retire, I’d like to be remembered like Bill Furman--someone who was passionately committed to his customers, and made friends and a family among our industry.”
Among Furman’s many accomplishments over his four-plus decades in the industry were helping to launch JCK Trend & Luxury magazine, merchandising JCK Japan, Vista Joyera, NY Diamonds and AJM.
He also served as JCK magazine’s gourmet editor, reviewing restaurants for regional show guides.
Expect to find him enjoying gourmet meals in his retirement, including from his son’s restaurant brand, Free Range LA.
The Latest

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.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

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

Robert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.

The announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.

Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.

Kenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.

The historic fancy vivid blue diamond set to headline Christie’s Geneva sale next month could sell for up to $50 million.

LVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.

The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”

The organization has reelected Kalpesh Jhaveri as president.

An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.

The collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.

Mari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.

GIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.

These earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.

Two experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.

Kentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.

“America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” explores the storied history of the American watchmaker.

An across-the-board tariff of 10 percent remains in place for all U.S. trading partners, except China.

Brigette Pheloung and Tania Sarin, and their mothers, star in the campaign wearing medallions they co-designed.