COMINGS AND GOINGS

>>?After 18 years, Cecilia Gardner is planning to step down as president and CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee at the beginning of 2017, but she may stay on as the group’s general counsel. JVC senior counsel Suzan Flamm is also leaving the group.

>>?Former Scott Kay CEO and David Yurman exec David Minster has joined Judith Ripka Ltd. as CEO of its wholesale division. Evert DeGraeve, a former executive with Yurman, Mikimoto, and Harry Winston, is spearheading creative and merchandising. Fran Pennella, head of Benali Consulting, will oversee marketing and branding.

>>? Jewelry packaging and display company Rocket has named Chris Stock head of the design department. He will also serve as general manager for the company’s West Coast operations.
 

Anthony Capuano

>>?The Jewelers Board of Trade has appointed Anthony Capuano president. He will succeed Dione Kenyon, who has been president since 2002 and announced her retirement in August 2015.  

>>?White Pine Trading, the recycled diamond and jewelry company, has named Seth Pepkin regional sales manager. He will cover Southern and Midwestern states including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Kansas.

Stephane Barraque

>>?Hearts On Fire has named Stephane Barraque global chief revenue officer. Barraque has 25 years’ experience with Richemont, LVMH Group, and Fossil Group.

>>?Alain Riguidel has been appointed president of Kering Luxury Watch Division, North America. In his new role, Riguidel will manage Ulysse Nardin and Tradema of America and oversee all activities for Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux.

 

Ash Shah

>>?New York City diamond jewelry manufacturer Ashi Diamonds has named Ash Shah director of business development. Shah was recently a retailer liaison for JCK Las Vegas and LUXURY.

>>?Omi Inc., parent company of Omi Gems and Omi Privé, has named Adam Graham director of sales and marketing.

 

Ralph Destino

>>?Cadar, the New York City–based fine jewelry brand, has appointed Ralph Destino director. Destino is the former chairman and president of Cartier and former chairman of the GIA.
 

REMEMBERED

>>?James Currens, a highly regarded jewelry designer with multiple awards to his name, died April 14. He was 58.
 

Byard F. Brogan Jr.

>>?Byard F. Brogan Jr., former president of Pennsylvania fine jewelry manufacturer Byard F. Brogan Inc., which was founded by his father, died April 29. He was 85.
 

OPENING

>>?Blue Nile plans to open its fourth webroom this summer at the Washington Square mall in Portland, Ore. This will be its first physical store on the West Coast. 
 

CLOSINGS

>> The 206-year-old retailer ?Black, Starr & Frost has closed its Newport Beach, Calif., store, but it may look for other locations in the Orange County area. Its Phoenix store, which opened in October 2015, will remain open. 

 

Hayahalom

>>?The Israel Diamond Institute will cease publishing Hayahalom (The Diamond), its Hebrew-language trade publication, as its longtime editor Shira Ami retires. Ami has edited the publication for 34 years.