(PRESS RELEASE) ROYAL OAK, MI — Gem Legacy, a 501c3 nonprofit organization launched in 2018 and dedicated to gem mining communities, has formed a Leadership Council comprised of the jewelry industry’s top leaders who are dedicated to sharing Gem Legacy’s mission and actively uniting the industry in giving back to the source. The Leadership Council serves as ambassadors for Gem Legacy and advocates for Gem Legacy’s initiatives.
Initial members of the Leadership Council are Niveet Nagpal of Omi Privé and Jonathan and Brecken Farnsworth of Parlé Jewelry Designs. The expanding Leadership Council will provide a united front for Gem Legacy, enroll new partners for support and advocacy, and collaborate with industry organizations and businesses to form alliances and partnerships to forward Gem Legacy’s mission.
“The launch of the Gem Legacy Leadership Council is an exciting step forward for our industry, for Gem Legacy, and the communities and businesses the organization supports,” said Ben Smithee, Gem Legacy Advisory Board Member. “Omi and Parlé represent the beginning of a unified movement to support the communities that serve as the foundation of our industry. Their leadership by example is exactly what we are looking for as members of the Leadership Council, and we are excited to see the continued growth of the council as additional industry leaders express interest!”
For more information about Gem Legacy, Inc., please email info@gemlegacy.org or visit gemlegacy.org. The Leadership Council can be contacted here: Niveet Nagpal (niveet@omigems.com) and Jonathan Farnsworth (jonathanf@parlegems.com).
Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration
After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years."
Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations.
The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.
