Harris & Geri Botnick, Worthmore Jewelers, receive Jeweler of the Year honors
(ATLANTA) – The 24 Karat Club Southeastern United States hosted its 44th annual Banquet at the Atlanta County Club on August 4th. Each year the 24 Karat Club honors an outstanding jeweler with its Jeweler of the Year Award, announces the recipients of thousands of dollars of scholarships and inducts new members at the posh black tie event.
Harris and Geri Botnick of Worthmore Jewelers in Atlanta, Georgia were presented with the 24K Club’s prestigious Jeweler of the Year Award for 2018. “August is always a meaningful month for us, as it is Worthmore’s anniversary month and this year we turn 25,” said Harris. “Being named Jeweler of the Year from the 24 Karat Club on our silver anniversary is truly surreal. It was such an honor to receive this recognition at the banquet in the company of our family, friends and industry leaders.”
2018 Jeweler of the Year honorees Harris and Geri Botnick (l), Worthmore Jewelers, with nominating member Kathy Beall and Jeweler of the Year committee chair Randy Lindsey.
Harris and Geri have built their immensely successful business through hard work, creativity and integrity. Ten years ago the couple opened a 2nd location in Decatur, GA utilizing the same unique, fun, outside-the-box business model that made their first store flourish.
Worthmore Jewelers values their staff and strives to keep employees happy and engaged. Everyone is encouraged to advance their industry education and credentials. Giving back to their community is a way of life for the Botnick’s. They don’t merely announce financial support for a cause, they devote their personal time and involve everyone they know. The couple creates and hosts multiple charitable events every year.
Worthmore’s list of business achievements is impressive, including: JCK Best to Do Business With, Top 3 Luxury Stores in the U.S. by JCK Luxury, Top 3 Design Stores by JCK Design Center and Best of Atlanta by multiple outlets including Creative Loafing, Georgia Voice, InSite Magazine, and Southern Voice.
“Each year the 24 Karat Club Southeastern United States recognizes well deserving retail jewelers with the coveted Jeweler of the Year Award, the most prestigious award given by the Club,” said 24K Club vice president and Jeweler of the Year committee chair Randy Lindsey. “The award is based upon outstanding service to their community, personal as well as civic contribution, and their commitment to the betterment of the jewelry industry. We are deeply honored to have selected Harris & Geri Botnick as our 24 Karat Jewelers of the Year for 2018.”
Conner Cole, Beré Jewelers, accepts the Robert Foreman Memorial scholarship from Judy Upton, Club sponsor and Executive Secretary.
The Club’s 2018 scholarship recipients were announced during the event. Scholarships included:
- Robert Foreman Memorial, $2,000 to Conner Cole, Beré Jewelers – Florida
- Sterling Reputation, two $1250 awards funded by Steve Berkowitz of Sterling Reputation to Susan Thornton, Thornton Metals – Tennessee and Angela Evans, Dana’s Fine Jewelry – North Carolina
- Diamond in the Rough, two $1250 awards funded by Judy Upton of Judy Carter & Associates to Tracy Burdine, Grogan by Lon – Alabama and Stayce Hampton, Hayes Jewelers – Alabama
- Ralph Williams Education, $1500 award funded by Carolyn Woltz Lennon, Robert Loving and Terry Chandler to Krista Womack, Ford, Gittings & Kane – Georgia
- Diamond Council of America, choice of online courses awarded to Catherine von Schroeder, Sax Fifth Ave. and Daniel Torres, Aztlan Jewelers
“Our Club is honored to present scholarships to an outstanding group of rising stars within our industry,” said Kathy Beall, scholarship committee chair. “One of the most important objectives of our organization is awarding the gift of learning.”
“Once again the 24 Karat Club SEUS gathered to provide an exceptional evening for all those in attendance,” added Club President Keely Grice. “Our ongoing goal is to provide a multitude of scholarships to those that will benefit from furthering their education while enriching our industry,”
New members of the 24K Club SEUS: (l-r) Lars Parker-Myers, Reed Exhibitions; Lesley Kralis, Synchrony Financial; Libby Brown, Southern Jewelry Travelers Association/The Atlanta Jewelry Show; Mia Katrin, Jewel Couture LLC; David Hyde, Hyde & Associates. Also inducted but not pictured: Kate Peterson, Performance Concepts.
Six new members were inducted into the Club during the event. The group of new members included: Libby Brown, Southern Jewelry Travelers Association/The Atlanta Jewelry Show; David Hyde, Hyde & Associates; Mia Katrin, Jewel Couture LLC; Lesley Kralis, Synchrony Financial; Lars Parker-Myers, Reed Exhibitions; and Kate Peterson, Performance Concepts.
The 24K Club SEUS officers and board of directors (BOD): (l-r) Bill Newnam, Immediate Past President; Randy Lindsey, Vice President; Rick Arnemann, BOD; Howard Kelrick, BOD; Sheri Ihde, Treasurer; Terry Chandler, Secretary; Judy Upton, Executive Secretary; David Siminski, BOD; Melissa Becker, BOD; Carolyn Woltz Lennon, BOD; Keely Grice, President; and Robert Loving, BOD.
Sponsors for the event included: The Harmon Group; Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, Diamond Council of America, Judy Carter & Associates, SJTA/The Atlanta Jewelry Show, United Precious Metals Refining; Berkley Asset Protection, Jewelers of America, Synchrony Financial, Sterling Reputation, Time Delay Corporation, Southern Jewelry News, Benchmark, Stuller, Inc., WLH Limited – The Henderson Collection, Retail Jeweler Magazine, Southern Jewelry Insurance and Hyde & Associates.
The 24 Karat Club Southeastern United States is a prestigious organization of industry professionals representing leading members from the jewelry supplier sector. Members are considered and recognized because of their industry accomplishments, personal and civic contributions and their commitment to the betterment of the jewelry industry. For more information please visit www.The24KaratClub.org.
