b'LETTER FROM THE EDITOR120 Broadway, Suite 2820 | New York, NY 10271 | www.nationaljeweler.comMOVING ON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF H ow do you know when its time Michelle Grafffor a change?michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.comIts not so much a difficult ques- EDITORIALtion to answerI think if youre asking, thenAssociate Editor, News Lenore Fedowyou already know the answeras it is to face. lenore.fedow@nationaljeweler.com Change can be daunting and difficult but IAssociate Editor, Gemstones Lauren McLemorecan think of no instance, in my life at least, inlauren.mclemore@nationaljeweler.comwhich it hasnt been worth it in the long run. CONTRIBUTORSI think most of the subjects interviewed Editorial Bella Neymanfor this years State of the Majors issueResearch Peggy Jo Donahue, Edahn Golanwould agree. Copy Editor Peggy Jo DonahueAssociate Editor, News, Lenore FedowArt Direction and Design Weswen Designaddresses the topic of the most outwardly evident type of changea change in appear- SALESancein her story on renovating your jewelry store on page 16. U.S. Sales | Bobbie HamburgIn it, Kimberly Adams Russell, president of Frank Adams Jewelers, de- bobbie.hamburg@nationaljeweler.com | 610-716-1225tails what it was like to understand what needed to change about the lookIndia Sales | Kaushal Shah and layout of her familys jewelry store, and how she went about makingkaushal@kaushals.com | +91 98217 15431those updates.MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONSFor her story, Associate Editor, Colored Gemstones, Lauren McLemoreDirector of Marketing & Communicationsdetailed the changing attitudes around different gemstone varieties, cuts, andMolly Fallon | mfallon@jewelers.orgimperfections, all of which make for a more colorful industry. Marketing & Communications ManagerYou can read Laurens story on page 54. Emily Russo | erusso@jewelers.orgIn my story on page 62, I wrote about the tangible shift Botswana, theDigital Services Manager worlds No. 1 diamond producer by value, will grapple with in the comingMichael Coleman | mcoleman@jewelers.orgdecadesthe depletion of its diamond mines.Marketing Coordinator Its an eventuality for which Botswana has long been preparing throughJordan Carmel | jcarmel@jewelers.orginvestments in industries such as agriculture and ecotourism. The final two stories in this issue come from contributors, New York CityEDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDJewelry Week co-founder Bella Neyman and author and longtime NationalCathy Calhoun, Calhoun JewelersJeweler columnist Peter Smith.Bill Farmer Jr., Farmers JewelryIn her story on page 68, Neyman writes about the three forces expected toKaren Goracke, BorsheimsSteve Padis, Padis Jewelersshape the next five years in jewelry designcolor, storytelling, and the use ofCraig Rottenberg, Longs Jewelersmaterials not typically incorporated into jewelry design. Last but certainly not least, Smith addresses one change many jewelry store owners face constantlystaff turnover. A sales expert, he shares tips for identifying and interviewing candidates to fill sales positions, critical roles that are all too often filled by the wrong types of people. PRESIDENT & CEOHis column is on page 78.David J. BonaparteI hope you enjoy this issue, and it makes you feel more at ease with anyBOARD OF DIRECTORS changes you need to make in your personal or professional life. See you in Las Vegas! Coleman Clark, Chair, BC Clark Jewelers Krystle Craycraft, Jewelers Mutual GroupMatthew Rosenheim, Chair-Elect, Edward Dikes, Weston JewelersTiny Jewel Box Sue Hopeman, Robbins Brothers JewelersSteve Padis, Vice Chair, Padis Jewelry Julie Keeney, Fred Meyer JewelersElise Greenberg, Vice Chair, Lenny Kramer, Leo Schachter DiamondsGreenbergs Jewelers Valerie Madison, Valerie MadisonSteve Velasquez, Secretary, Fine JewelryMichelle Graff, Editor-in-ChiefMadison Jewelers Robert Marks, Rogers Jewelry Co.Karen Goracke, Treasurer, Borsheims Hunter McGrath, TivolRobert F. Moeller II, Immediate Past Chair, Constance Polamalu, Zacharys JewelersR.F. Moeller Jewelers Stan Razny, Razny JewelersChad Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Tobey Ritchie, Harry RitchiesLawrence Bock, BachendorfsSherry Smith, The Edge Retail Academy14 STATE OF THE MAJORS 2024 Joseph Corey, Days Jewelers Tonia Ulsh, Mountz JewelersKim Crawford, Macys Inc.'