And the Winner of Borsheims’ ‘Ike-It Award’ Is …
Wendy Johnson, a senior buyer’s assistant, has been with the retailer since 2007.

This year’s winner is Senior Buyer’s Assistant Wendy Johnson.
Johnson has been with Borsheims since 2007, starting as a buyer’s assistant on the fine gift side of the business. She helped the retailer’s gift buyer with reporting, tracking orders, and hosting designers in the store.
In 2019, Borsheims promoted Johnson to senior buyer’s assistant, where she took on additional work assisting the store’s jewelry and diamond buyers.
Johnson’s colleagues nominated and selected her for the Ike-It Award. She received it on Feb. 21, with Borsheims President and CEO Karen Goracke calling Johnson an “integral” member of the team.
“I couldn’t be prouder of her for being selected by her fellow employees as our Ike-It Award recipient,” Goracke said. “Our staff is grateful for her positive attitude and tremendous work ethic. Congratulations, Wendy!”
The Ike-It Award is named in honor of Ike Friedman, who owned Borsheims from 1947 to 1989, when Warren Buffett bought a majority stake in the company and made it part of his holding company, Berkshire Hathaway.
The retailer first gave out the award in 1992, the year after Friedman died. This year marks its 31st presentation.
The Latest


A monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

Test Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.

Abstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.

Ahead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.

The GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.

The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Retail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.

For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.

The November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.

Commercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.

Deloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.

The Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.

Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.

The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.

A portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.











































