The Texas Jewelers Association (TJA) has announced the winners of their 2015 Design Competition. The Competition took place during the annual TJA Convention held in San Antonio.

Daniel Allen of C. Kirk Root Designs in Austin, Texas took home the Best in Show award for his gorgeous tsavorite garnet and diamond pendant design and Priyanka Murthy of Arya Esha was awarded 1st Place in Category 1. Additional winners included: Ziad Noshie, Almaza Jewelers in Houston; Peter Barr, Peter Barr Designing Jewelers in Corpus Christi; and Dan Schwieterman, Daniel Allen, Ben George and Stephanie Budde all of C., Kirk Root Designs in Austin.

(NEENAH, Wis.) - Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company has earned 29 consecutive A+ Superior financial strength ratings from A.M. Best Company, one of the world’s most respected insurance rating and information sources.

Founded in 1913, Jewelers Mutual is the only insurer dedicated solely to serving the jewelry industry in the United States and Canada, serving both commercial jewelry businesses and personal jewelry owners. Jewelers Mutual is headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin.

(ROCHESTER, N.Y.) - RDI Diamonds of New York started as a family company over 23 years ago and as the next generation gets started, the tradition continues.

Michael Indelicato, CEO of RDI Diamonds, didn’t come from money. “My parents were immigrants and I was taught the value of hard work,” said Indelicato. “My father worked a manufacturing job but had an entrepreneurial spirit and was always selling something on the side. Watching his natural sales ability drove me to start this business and his memory continues to inspire me.”

Rio Grande - and its 400 associates - got top marks when Albuquerque Business First announced the newspaper’s 10th annual “Best Places to Work” survey results. Rio Grande was one of five businesses recognized in the Very Large Companies (over 250 employees) division for 2015. Rio also took home Best Places to Work titles in 2012 and 2010. The achievements are a credit to Rio’s associates, who play a central role in the jewelry supplier’s success.

One of the world’s largest suppliers to the jewelry industry, Rio Grande was founded in 1944 by Saul Bell and purchased three years ago by Richline Group, a Berkshire Hathaway Company. Rio Grande continues to be led by second-generation Bell family members, including Alan, Molly and Eddie Bell, adhering to company principles that are embedded in their unique culture. From its solar-powered facility in Albuquerque, NM, Rio proudly manufactures nearly a quarter of the tens of thousands of findings, tools and equipment that the company sells.

Jewelers for Children (JFC) will hold their annual Facets of Hope event on Sunday, June 5, 2016 at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Stuart Lee of Signet Jewelers, and Dennis Ulrich of the Richline Group, and JFC Chairman, have been named as honorees. 

The event celebrates the success of JFC’s fund raising efforts for the year, and commitments to the charity partners will be announced.  In 2015, more than 1,850 industry guests attended during the Las Vegas market events. Both Lee and Ulrich have agreed to serve as guests of honor at the event with the responsibility of assisting JFC in raising funds to benefit children who are the victims of catastrophic illness or life-threatening abuse and neglect. Each year, prominent industry leaders are honored by the charity. 

The Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association (IDCA), a not-for-profit organization comprising of diamantaires, colored stone dealers and jewelry manufacturers from India based in the United States, elected their 2016 Executive Committee and Board of Directors at their meeting on December 7, 2015.

Unanimously elected to the Executive Committee for 2016 were: