b'LETTER FROM THE EDITOR120 Broadway, Suite 2820 | New York, NY 10271 | www.nationaljeweler.comI n this year unlike any other, we knew weEDITOR-IN-CHIEF couldnt put out a State of the Majors issue like any other. Michelle GraffIn addition to containing the $100 Millionmichelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com | 212-687-2758Supersellers and Top 50 Specialty JewelersEDITORIALlists, The State of the Majors normally breaksSenior Editor, Gemstones Brecken Branstratordown the latest developments in the variousbrecken.branstrator@nationaljeweler.com | 212-687-2763sectors of the traderetail, the diamondSenior Editor, Fashion Ashley Davisindustry, designers and trends, and the coloredashley.davis@nationaljeweler.com | 646-658-5802stone industry.Associate Editor, News Lenore FedowThe lists are still part of the magazine. Youlenore.fedow@nationaljeweler.com | 646-658-5808can find them on pages 18 and 30, respectively. CONTRIBUTORSWhen it came to the articles, however, weResearch Edahn Golan, Peggy Jo Donahueknew we had to take a step back and address the two issues that have dominatedCopy Editor Peggy Jo Donahuethe headlines and impacted every facet of lifeCOVID-19, and the ongoingDesign and Layout Weswen Designdemonstrations and discussions around racial inequity in the United States. I dive into the latter in my story, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: Why TheyMARKETING & COMMUNICATIONSMatter, reaching out to the largest sellers of fine jewelry to ask if theyreDirector of Marketing & Communicationsworking to increase diversity and how theyve responded to the current civilMolly Fallon | mfallon@jewelers.orgrights movement, both publicly and privately.Digital Content CoordinatorMost of them didnt answer, but you can see which retailer did on page 44.Emily Russo | erusso@jewelers.orgSenior Editor Ashley Davis also addresses the calls for racial justiceSALESspecifically, how companies can answer those calls publicly in an authenticU.S. Sales | Bobbie Hamburgmannerin her story, The World is Listening.bobbie.hamburg@nationaljeweler.com | 610-716-1225You can read it on page 60. India Sales | Bhupal Potdar Then theres COVID-19, the disease that swept the globe in the earlybhupalpotdar@gmail.com | +91 - 98211 51035months of 2020, forcing the cancellation of large gatherings and the closure ofEDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDbusinesses as people were ordered to stay home in order to stop the spread.Cathy Calhoun, Calhoun JewelersThe pandemic has affected everyone in some way, and taken a particularlyBill Farmer Jr., Farmers Jewelrydevastating toll on the most vulnerable members of societythose who liveKaren Goracke, Borsheimspaycheck to paycheck, dependent on every cent they make in order to keepSteve Padis, Padis JewelersCraig Rottenberg, Longs Jewelersfood on the table and a roof over their heads. This includes the millions of artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) who dig for colored gemstones in countries worldwide. In ASM and the COVID-19 Impact, Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator explores the impact the pandemic had on their day-to-day lives and how it could change the sector.Read her story on page 52.Finally, Associate Editor Lenore Fedow attempts to answer one of the biggestPRESIDENT & CEOquestions created by the coronavirus pandemic: How can retailers create aDavid J. Bonapartespace where customers feel comfortable and continue to deliver experiences that combine the best of online and in-store shopping?BOARD OF DIRECTORSYou can find her story, Whats the Future of Physical Retail? on page 8.Holly Wesche, Chair, Wesche Jewelers Caryl Capeci, Chow Tai Fook North America Take care, stay safe and have a great holiday season.Robert F. Moeller II, Chair-Elect, Ronda Daily, Bremer JewelryWe hope to see you at some point in 2021. R.F. Moeller Jewelers Peter Engel, Fred Meyer JewelersKaren Goracke, Vice Chair, Borsheims Elise Greenberg, Greenbergs JewelersColeman Clark, Vice Chair, Camile Hannoush, Hannoush JewelersB.C. Clark Jewelers Simon Katz, Simons JewelersCraig Rottenberg, Treasurer,Lenny Kramer, Leo Schachter DiamondsLongs Jewelers Chuck Kuba, Iowa DiamondMatthew Rosenheim, Secretary, Michelle Graff Tiny Jewel Box Joseph Molfese, Bella Cosa JewelersEditor-in-ChiefMike Alexander, Jewelers Mutual Steve Padis, Padis JewelersChad Berg, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Stan Razny, owner, Razny JewelersLawrence Bock, Bachendorfs Tobey Ritchie, Harry RitchieDavid Bouffard, Signet Jewelers Ltd. Steve Velasquez, Madison Jewelers6 STATE OF THE MAJORS 2020'