b'LETTER FROM THE EDITOR120 Broadway, Suite 2820 | New York, NY 10271 | www.nationaljeweler.comCONFRONTINGEDITOR-IN-CHIEF ANOTHER CRISISMichelle Graffmichelle.graff@nationaljeweler.comB efore I started writing this letter, IEDITORIALpulled out my copy of last years StateSenior Editor, Gemstones Brecken Branstratorof the Majors to remind myself how tobrecken.branstrator@nationaljeweler.comformat it. Then I remembered what Id written. Senior Editor, Fashion Ashley DavisThe letter, titled High Anxiety, detailedashley.davis@nationaljeweler.commy inability to relax even as the industry post- Associate Editor, News Lenore Fedowlenore.fedow@nationaljeweler.comed record sales. I had a creeping suspicion the good times wouldnt last.CONTRIBUTORSSales-wise, they seemingly have but socially,Research Peggy Jo Donahuethe industry is facing another crisis, one that in my mind is bigger thanCopy Editor Peggy Jo DonahueCOVID-19. Art Direction and Design Weswen DesignIn late February, Russia invaded Ukraine, an unprovoked attack thatSALEStouched off a wave of sanctions against Russia and led the U.S. government toU.S. Sales | Bobbie Hamburgban imports of Russian diamonds. bobbie.hamburg@nationaljeweler.com | 610-716-1225Its a developing situation that could change drastically by the time this let- India Sales | Kaushal Shah kaushal@kaushals.com | +91 98217 15431ter is published, but I did what I could to address it in my story on the future of natural diamond supply on page 50.MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONSThe rest of the issue is more upbeat. Director of Marketing & CommunicationsIn Meet the New American Jeweler, Senior Editor, Fashion, Ashley DavisMolly Fallon | mfallon@jewelers.orgDigital Services Managerintroduces us to the hippest new retailers in the United States.Michael Coleman | mcoleman@jewelers.orgHer story is on page 56. Digital Content CoordinatorMeanwhile, Associate Editor, News, Lenore Fedow weighs the pros andEmily Russo | erusso@jewelers.orgcons of selling fine jewelry online using platforms like Amazon and 1st Dibs.Marketing CoordinatorYou can find her story, The Pros and Cons of 4 Jewelry-Selling Platforms,Caroline Rychlik | crychlik@jewelers.orgon page 12. EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDSenior Editor, Gemstones, Brecken Branstrator consulted experts at gem labsCathy Calhoun, Calhoun Jewelersworldwide to compile a list of 10 important recent developments in gemology.Bill Farmer Jr., Farmers JewelryHer story, 10X5: The Biggest Research Developments of the Past 5 Years,Karen Goracke, BorsheimsSteve Padis, Padis Jewelersis on page 64. Craig Rottenberg, Longs JewelersClosing out the issue is consultant, speaker and sales trainer Peter Smith.Smiths job was eliminated earlier this year, but he is undaunted in the face of this professional punch in the mouth and excited about the future.Reflections on Resilience can be found on page 72.One last note on this issue: The State of the Majors normally is published in the fall, but we moved it up this year for two reasons.First, the data in the $100 Million Supersellers (page 24) and the Top 50PRESIDENT & CEOSpecialty Jewelers (page 38) lists detail the previous fiscal years results, so theDavid J. Bonaparteearlier reported, the better. BOARD OF DIRECTORSSecond, moving State of the Majors to May allows National Jeweler to get its most important issue of the year in front of the industry at Las VegasRobert F. Moeller II, Chair, Jeffery Bolling, Jeffery B. JewelersMarket Week. R.F. Moeller Jewelers Kim Crawford, Macys Inc.Please enjoy all this issue has to offer and if you see me in Las Vegas, dontColeman Clark, Chair-Elect,Ronda Daily, Bremer JewelryB.C. Clark Jewelers Edward Dikes, Westone Jewelershesitate to say hello. Matthew Rosenheim, Vice-Chair,Lenny Kramer, Leo Schachter DiamondsTiny Jewel Box Chuck Kuba, Iowa DiamondCraig Rottenberg, Vice-Chair,Valerie Madison, Valerie MadisonLongs Jewelers Fine JewelryElise Greenberg, Treasurer, Robert Marks, Rogers Jewelry Co.Greenbergs Jewelers Steve Padis, Padis JewelersMichelle Graff, Editor-in-ChiefKaren Goracke, Secretary, Borsheims Stan Razny, Razny JewelersHolly Wesche, Immediate Past Chair, Tobey Ritchie, Harry RitchiesWesche JewelersMike Alexander, Jewelers Mutual Tonia Leitzel Ulsh, Mountz Jewelers10 STATE OF THE MAJORS 2022 Chad Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Steve Velasquez, Madison JewelersLawrence Bock, Bachendorfs'