COMINGS AND GOINGS
Bryan Morgan (pictured), former chief operating officer of Signet, has joined Stuller as chief systems and technology officer.
GIA has welcomed three new governors to its board: Andy Johnson, CEO of Diamond Cellar Holdings; Lawrence Ma, chief executive of Lee Heng Diamond Group; and Karen Evans, national director of the U.S. Cyber Challenge.
The Israel Diamond Exchange has reelected Yoram Dvash for a second three-year term as bourse president.
Blue Nile has appointed David Yurman veteran Ruth Sommers (pictured) chief operating officer. She most recently served as Yurman’s COO. In addition, former Tiffany & Co. CEO Frédéric Cumenal has joined Blue Nile’s board.
De Beers executive head of strategy and corporate affairs Gareth Mostyn is leaving the company after six years. He will join the Church of England as chief finance and operations officer.
Australian jewelry retailer Michael Hill has appointed Vanessa Brennan chief customer officer.
Charles & Colvard hired two new sales executives: Nanci Kirczow is now vice president of sales for traditional channels, focusing on growing business from wholesale, retail, and television customers. Jessica Lesesky (pictured) is VP of sales for online channels, focusing on pure-play online retailers and marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay.
Peter Meeus is stepping down from his role as chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange. He will be replaced at the United Arab Emirates’ sole bourse by Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre.
Canadian retail veteran Brian C. Land (pictured) has been appointed general manager of the Canadian Jewellers Association.
J.C. Penney has appointed James Starke senior vice president and senior general merchandise manager of men’s apparel, children’s apparel, and jewelry, part of a larger shake-up of its merchandising division.
Gerald Storch, who spent nearly three years as CEO of HBC, owner of Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor, has stepped down. His interim replacement is HBC executive chairman and former CEO Richard Baker.
Richemont has appointed Jérôme Lambert (pictured) to the newly created role of chief operating officer. In his new role, Lambert, former CEO of Montblanc, will be responsible for all Richemont brands other than Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. In addition, Emmanuel Perrin, currently international sales director for Cartier, will be appointed head of specialist watchmakers distribution.
OPENING
Indian jeweler Nirav Modi has opened two more boutiques in the United States: one at the Wynn Las Vegas, and the other at Honolulu’s Ala Moana Center.
Emerald Waterfall earrings with Jasmine-cut diamonds; price on request; Nirav Modi; 212-603-0000; niravmodi.com
REMEMBERED
Sallie Morton (pictured), the first female president of the American Gem Society and a leading figure in establishing the group’s network of guilds, died Oct. 24 of mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by asbestos. She was 91.
Mark Boston, the De Beers broker who early on recognized the potential of the Indian diamond industry, died from cancer Nov. 13. He was 71.
COMPANIES
Monaco-based Luna Management has acquired Swiss watch brand DeLaneau.
Swiss watch manufacturer De Bethune has sold a majority stake to an investment consortium.
De Beers plans to shut Victor, its Ontario diamond mine, in the first quarter of 2019.
The Washington Companies has completed its $1.2 billion acquisition of miner Dominion Diamond Corp. Dominion owns a majority stake in the Ekati diamond mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories as well as 40 percent of the nearby Diavik mine.
Try-and-buy jewelry e-tailer Flont has raised $5 million from private investors, including newly established C Ventures.
On Sept. 26, Exelco North America, the local branch of the prominent Belgian diamond company, filed for Chapter 11 protection in Delaware bankruptcy court, along with affiliated companies Exelco NV, FTK Worldwide Manufacturing BVBA, and Ideal Diamond Trading USA.
HONORED
At its Oct. 14 dinner-dance and gala, the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California honored Avi Raz of A&Z Pearls and the Bhindi family of Bhindi Jewelers with its Excellence in Service Award. (Pictured here are Dhanesh and Vinod Bhindi, far l. and third from l., with 24 Karat president Karen Signorino and Rolex’s Cliff Cook.) Douglas K. Hucker, CEO of the American Gem Trade Association, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
(24k gala: courtesy of the 24K Club of Southern California)
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