David Federman, award-winning journalist, author, and former executive editor of Modern Jeweler, has been named editor-in-chief of Colored Stone magazine. Federman reports to Merle White, editorial director of Interweave Press’s Gem & Jewelry Group. He replaces Morgan Beard, who has left the magazine.

Colored Stone is a bimonthly international trade magazine that covers all facets of the colored gemstone industry. Colored Stone also publishes three show guide issues—Tucson Show Guide, Vegas Show Guide, and Fall Show Guide.

“No one knows the colored stone market better than David,” says White. “He brings three decades of rock-solid gem and jewelry journalism experience, as well as service in high-ranking editorial positions, to the assignment.”

Group publisher Joseph Breck added, “Colored Stone will give David a forum for his first love—gemstones—and allow him to dedicate his talents to making the magazine the most authoritative voice in this rapidly growing industry sector.”

Federman began gemstone reporting as a senior editor at Jewelers’ Circular Keystone. He has received 14 Jesse H. Neal awards from the Associated Business Press, and one nomination for the National Magazine Award.

Federman was executive editor of Modern Jeweler from 1983 to 2000 and has served as a contributing editor and regular columnist for the past seven years.

Since 2000, he has worked as a Web content and media relations writer for Collectors Universe and an on-screen and online consultant for Jewelry Television. He also was the marketing director for EightStar Diamond Co. Earlier in his career Federman was the editor of several industry trade newsletters and pricing guides, including “The Diamond Market Monitor.”

Federman also is the author of four books on gems, including Modern Jeweler’s Consumer Guide to Colored Gemstones, Modern Jeweler’s Gem Profile series, and, most recently, the first book devoted to the conch pearl.