Jewelers of America names 40 rising stars in 20 Under 40 class

Jewelers of America widened the lens on young leadership in the trade, naming 40 professionals to its 2026 20 Under 40 class and dividing the honor evenly between 20 retailers and 20 suppliers. The split says as much about the future of jewelry as any trend report: the next generation is being measured not only by who sells the piece, but by who designs, manufactures, wholesales and services it.

The program, launched in 2022, was built to recognize rising professionals under 40 who show exceptional leadership, creativity and commitment to advancing the industry. In 2025, Jewelers of America added a suppliers category, bringing into the spotlight the people whose work happens beyond the showcase, from design studios and manufacturing floors to wholesale offices and service companies. By the time the 2026 class was announced on April 21, the honor had become a broader snapshot of how the jewelry business actually functions, as a network of specialists rather than a single retail front.

That broader frame matters in a category where meaning is often carried by craftsmanship as much as by sentiment. A ring, pendant or bracelet may reach the customer through a retailer, but it is shaped by many decisions before it ever lands in a velvet tray: metal selection, setting style, manufacturing standards, repair expertise and the design language that gives a piece its voice. Jewelers of America’s expanded structure acknowledges that the most memorable jewelry experiences are created by collaboration.

David Bonaparte, Jewelers of America’s president, has described the program as a way to spotlight the next generation of leadership and the collaboration and creativity that fuel the jewelry community. The 2026 nomination period closed on Feb. 13, giving the trade a clear deadline and a clear message: this is a benchmark for the professionals most likely to shape what jewelry looks like, how it is made and how it is sold next.

For an industry that trades in keepsakes, the honor points toward a practical truth. The future of meaningful jewelry will be built by people who understand both story and structure, and Jewelers of America has made that pairing the center of its young-leader class.