She founded the IJG in 1986

Robyn Lewis, who headed the Italian Jewelry Guild for two decades and played a major role in introducing the country’s products to the United States, died Jan. 8, according to an online memorial. She was 61.

For 21 years, Lewis (pictured, right) served as president, CEO, and director of marketing for the Beverly Hills, Calif.–based Italian Jewelry Guild, the group she founded in 1986. It ceased operations in in 2007.

Paola De Luca, founder and creative director of The Futurist, was among many in the industry who called Lewis “a mentor and friend.”

“She is and will be my friend forever,” De Luca says. “I will continue her legacy of staying true to myself and those I love and respect. [Robyn] did not have children of her own, yet she remains the mother of visions and the starter of many careers and projects like mine.”

Former JCK western editor—and current New York Times best-selling author—Suzy Spencer says, “One of the many joys I had working for JCK was going to VicenzaOro and being introduced to Italian jewelry and its greatest ambassador, Robyn Lewis.… Thirty years later, I still have some of the Italian jewelry marketing materials she gave me. I cherish it that much. Robyn may have been born in America, but to me she was the best of Italy. Both nations were fortunate to have had her on their teams.”

Lewis also headed Fiera di Vicenza’s North American representative office from 1985 to 2000 and worked as trade analyst and jewelry promotion campaign director from 1980 to 1986.

Additional reporting by Jennifer Heebner.

(Photo from Robyn Lewis’ Facebook page)

Rob Bates

JCK News Director