COMINGS AND GOINGS
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François Tauriac
>>Swiss luxury watch brand Richard Mille has appointed François Tauriac to managing director. Tauriac began his career as a journalist at Figaro Group and has held positions of managing editor, editor-in-chief, and publisher at the French publication TV Magazine.
>>?Jewelry/accessories manufacturer Annaleece has appointed Michael Whitfield its national sales manager.
>>?Ronnie Vanderlinden was elected president of the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America at a meeting on March 5 in New York City. Vanderlinden—who previously had been vice president—replaces Ronald Friedman, who has served as president since 2004.
David Chu
>>?David Chu has been named CEO of Georg Jensen, the Danish luxury silver, jewelry, and watch design company and global retailer. Chu previously served as cochairman of the board of directors as well as chief creative officer of Georg Jensen.
>>?Danielle Barber, who spent 25 years with Richard Krementz Gemstones, is joining Suna Bros. She will oversee marketing, promotions, and public relations and also will work closely with the sales team to develop new business relationships.
>>?The Edge Retail Academy has hired jewelry industry veteran Becka Johnson Kibby as sales and training manager. Kibby was most recently the general manager of U.S. operations for Q Report.
Stuart Sklar
>>?Raymond Weil has appointed Stuart Sklar as vice president of North America. Sklar previously held positions as vice president of national sales at Bulova, senior vice president at Movado Group, and president at Maurice Lacroix.
>>?Serge Couvreur has been appointed the new general manager of the HRD Antwerp grading lab, replacing Georges Brys. Couvreur studied at Haute Études Commerciales and holds a degree in commercial management and marketing.
>>?Charles & Colvard has promoted vice president of sales and marketing Thomas G. Pautz to president of its wholesale division.
Jim Grohn
>>?Luxury designer Metalsmiths Sterling has appointed Jim Grohn as executive vice president. Grohn brings more than 20 years of experience to his new role, including a stint as president of Belle Étoile.
REMEMBERED
>>Patrick Heiniger, who headed Rolex from 1992 to 2008, died in Monaco at age 62 following an unspecified illness.
>>?John Paul Miller, the renowned goldsmith and former teacher at the Cleveland Institute of Art, died March 1 at age 94.
>>?Robert Mandelkern—a diamond wholesaler and leader of the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America—died Feb. 23 of Parkinson’s disease. He was 87.
LEGAL
>>?On Feb. 22, jeweler Matthew James Addy of Lancaster, Pa., pleaded guilty to running a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme involving jewelry and precious stones. He was the owner of wholesaler Edward J. & Co., which had operated a now-closed retail store in Lancaster, Pa., known as LaPorte Jewelers.
>>?Stonex Corp., a New York City–based jewelry wholesaler, has pleaded guilty to a single count of felony-level illegal commercialization of wildlife, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Stonex owner Shashikumar Krishnaswamy will forfeit more than 70 pounds of ivory pieces (with a retail value of more than $30,000) and also will donate $10,000 to the Wildlife Conservation Society for use in elephant conservation programs worldwide.
HONORED
>>?The Ethisphere Institute has named the Gemological Institute of America one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2013.
>>?On March 4, the Gemmological Association of Great Britain presented two scholarships to Katie Jamieson and Stasia Tereszczuk, winners of its 2013 Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship and Design Awards.
>>JCK Events has announced its 2013 Rising Stars: Bibi van der Velden, Cornelia Goldsmith, Jason Dow Jewelry, Naomi Blumenthal Studio, and Patrick Mohs Jewelry. Each will exhibit in the Design Center at the upcoming JCK Las Vegas show at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. (View more on the Rising Stars.)
>>?Fruchtman Marketing—a full-service advertising agency based in Toledo, Ohio—won three awards at the Advertising Club of Toledo’s Feb. 28 annual Addy Awards competition, including a silver Addy for a series of outdoor billboards created for Bremer Jewelry in Peoria and Bloomington, Ind.
>>Swarovski and Helzberg Diamonds are among 2012’s “100 Best Retailers to Work for,” according to TheRetailLife.com. The site—which said it compiled the list based on input from members—takes into account “competitive salaries, employee reviews, company pride, organizational values and culture, socialization opportunities, and career advancement opportunities.”
>>?Nordstrom is America’s favorite fashion retail chain, according to an annual consumer study conducted by Market Force Information. The department store beat out Kohl’s—which had ranked first in the three previous studies—Macy’s, Dillard’s, and J.C. Penney.
ASSOCIATIONS
>>?Jewelers of America has added a job boards feature to its website, jewelers.org. The service is free for professionals seeking positions in the industry.