Chairman of Tiny Jewel Box in Washington, D.C. helped turn three-generation store into local institution.
Jewelers of America and the GEM Awards Committee has announced that Jim Rosenheim, chairman of Tiny Jewel Box in Washington D.C., will receive the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 15th annual GEM Awards on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.
The GEM Awards gala honors the outstanding achievements of individuals or companies whose work raises the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches. The GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement is granted to an individual who has accumulated a career’s worth of contributions to the fine jewelry and watch industry.
Rosenheim has helped his family grow Tiny Jewel Box, a three-generation jewelry business, into an iconic Washington, D.C., institution and internationally renowned jewelry store. His career at Tiny Jewel Box began at the age of 12, working by his parents’ side, and by 18, he was a lapidary and bench jeweler. Today, he leads the store as its chairman. Rosenheim was one of the first jewelers to bring bold, Italian jewelry to the forefront in the U.S. and is credited with discovering designers from David Yurman to Alex Sepkus.
“Jim Rosenheim is one of the most respected individuals in the jewelry industry. He is passionate, kind and a dear friend to many. The success of Tiny Jewel Box is only one aspect of his achievements. His lifetime of nurturing talent and giving back to the jewelry industry are a large part of why the GEM Committee will honor him with a Lifetime Achievement Award,” says Norman Miller, chair of GEM Awards.
In addition to the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement, JA will reveal winners of several other GEM Awards live during the ceremony. The other GEM Awards categories and their nominees will be announced soon.
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For details on the GEM Awards or to purchase tickets, visit www.jewelers.org/gemawards.
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.
