Platinum Guild International (PGI) is restructuring its global presence, which will result in the closures of four offices, including its New York City office.
PGI also is slated to close offices in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Its dedicated operations will continue in China and India from 2027 onward, PGI said in a statement. Despite these changes, PGI said it will continue to support platinum jewelry marketing in the areas where it is closing offices.
PGI USA president Jenny Luker, who will maintain her role through 2026, confirmed the U.S. closure. Boutique PR and strategic communications agency BlytheRay, which had represented PGI to the trade, tells JCK it is no longer representing the company.
Luker has worked for PGI since January 2006. She started as its senior vice president and was promoted to president in January 2016.
In a statement Luker shared with JCK and other trade media, PGI said the transition “reflects a change in operating structure, not a change in confidence in these markets.”
“PGI will continue to support the global industry through its education platforms, technical expertise, market intelligence, standards leadership, and industry partnerships, while retaining the flexibility to collaborate on high-impact opportunities wherever they emerge. As the global voice for platinum jewelry, PGI remains committed to working with trade partners worldwide to strengthen the category and create sustainable growth.”
Platinum Guild has had a U.S. presence since 1992; it was founded as a marketing organization in 1975. As a global organization, it focused on four main jewelry markets: China, Japan, India, and the United States.
In June, PGI presented its annual Platinum Jewellery Business Review under the theme “A Year of Resilience.” CEO Tim Schlick called 2025 a turbulent year because of U.S. tariffs and record-high gold prices that hurt jewelry sales in China and India.
However, demand for platinum jewelry rose by 6% in 2025 in North America as jewelry brands switched from white gold to platinum in some designs, Schlick said in the review. He also described the 2026 U.S. outlook as “dynamic” and predicted momentum across multiple markets for the overall year.
In an email interview in September with JCK, Luker said: “We are seeing a strong uptick in platinum engagement rings and wedding bands as consumers place value on quality and longevity for their wedding jewelry.”
PGI USA and PGI South Korea will close as of Dec. 31, and its Japan office will shutter Dec. 30. PGI’s Hong Kong operations also are ending in this same time frame. PGI USA senior vice president Kevin Reilly retired in June 2026 after two decades with PGI.
(Logo courtesy of PGI)
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