For Immediate Release –
Jan. 4, 2023 –
Gemworld International Announces Several Changes: –
Brecken Branstrator named GemGuide’s editor-in-chief –
Stuart Robertson steps into the president role –
Richard Drucker, company founder, becomes president emeritus –
Brecken Branstrator – editor-in-chief
Gemworld International has appointed industry journalist Brecken Branstrator as the editor-in-chief of its bimonthly publication, the GemGuide, effective January 1, 2023. The GemGuide provides wholesale pricing and market information for gem dealers, retail jewelers, and appraisers in more than 40 countries. As editor-in-chief, Branstrator will coordinate the content and editing of each issue. She will continue to be based in New York City.
Branstrator joins the company from trade publication National Jeweler Magazine, where she covered the colored gemstone market since 2013, reporting on supply and pricing, traceability and transparency, color trends, and more. She most recently held the role of senior editor, gemstones.
Branstrator is a GIA Graduate Gemologist. She has been nominated for a WJA Award for Excellence in Media Excellence and a Gem Award for Media Excellence.
Stuart Robertson – president
Gemworld has also announced the promotion of Stuart Robertson from vice president to president. In the new role, he will oversee Gemworld’s day-to-day operations.
Robertson joined the company in 1998, serving as its research director for more than two decades. He has presented lectures on various aspects of gemology in both public and gem industry forums.
Robertson is the co-developer of the industry course “Corundum Treatments and Pricing;” a senior member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers and is Chair of its conference committee; and the immediate past president of the Accredited Gemologists Association.
Richard Drucker – president emeritus
Richard Drucker, who held the roles of president of Gemworld and publisher of the GemGuide, will remain actively involved in the company he founded more than 40 years ago, serving as president emeritus.
He expanded the company in 2002 by launching the GemGuide Appraisal Software for jewelry appraisers, and in 2014, he co-developed the World of Color, a comprehensive color grading system for colored gemstones. Under his leadership, Gemworld hosted several World of Gems conferences. Richard has also lectured for many organizations around the world.
Both Stuart and Richard have been honored with the Accredited Gemologists Association’s Antonio C. Bonanno Excellence in Gemology award.
When asked what plans are for this year, Stuart Robertson said, “In 2023, the GemGuide will be initiating regular coverage of additional areas of interest to subscribers, including trends in the mineral trade, auctions results, and fairtrade gem trends. Brecken will have an integral part in implementing Gemworld’s commitment to further expanding the GemGuide’s editorial content. It has been apparent for some time now from the excellent content that Brecken has developed at National Jeweler that we shared a common vision regarding the kind of news that matters to the people that form the colored stone market.”
Richard Drucker added, “We are thrilled to have such an accomplished journalist in the jewelry industry joining the Gemworld team. Brecken will be a great addition as editor-in-chief.”
For further details, contact Richard Drucker at rdrucker@gemguide.com or visit GemGuide.com.
About Gemworld International
Since 1982, Gemworld International, Inc., has provided the gem trade with independently researched,
gem focused market trend and pricing information. The firm’s publication, the GemGuide, has become
the trusted source for reliable wholesale pricing information for gem dealers, retail jewelers, and
appraisers in more than 40 countries.
