Sterling Jewelers Inc. has promoted Robert Knapp to vice president of corporate supply chain management. In his new role, Knapp, who joined Sterling in 1982, will be responsible for optimizing the practices and processes used to procure goods and services.

To mark the 80th birthday of Milos Vainer and to commemorate his many contributions to the diamond industry, his sons, Richard and Martin, have gifted a collection of fancy-color rough and partially worked diamonds to the Gemological Institute of America. The set, totaling 336.20 cts., will be used for display, research, and educational purposes.

Joseph Blank Inc. has appointed industry veteran Jeffrey Crohn as national sales director. Crohn will direct the company’s loose-diamond sales.

Brook Ellis, the Gemological Institute of America’s vice president of education, has been elected treasurer of the Distance Education and Training Council, a national accrediting agency for distance learning. GIA has been a DETC-accredited institution for several decades, and Ellis previously served on the Council’s board of trustees.