CEO/ FOUNDER JOSH HELMICH
Josh Helmich is a third-generation jewelry entrepreneur, visionary, gemstone dealer, and jeweler. The Helmich Family legacy began in the late 1950’s with Josh’s Grandfather Don Helmich when he opened The Compton Rock Shop, a lapidary and jewelry supply store in Los Angeles California. Josh’s mother and father, Susan and Stephen Helmich even met at the Rock Shop.
After graduating from Arizona State University with degrees in Business Management and Communications, Josh joined his mother’s company, Susan Helmich Designs, Inc. where he presided as Vice President from 2003-2008. Overseeing the wholesale selling and marketing division, working with stores and working hand in hand with the in-house jewelers overseeing production elevated and enhanced Josh’s spectrum of knowledge and experience in manufacturing and sales. During his tenure Josh also played an intricate role in the sales to Shop NBC, Herzberg’s Design launch, and product development and manufacturing for Duke Medical Center in North Carolina.
In 2009, following the untimely death of Steven Kretchmer, Josh took on a new role as Vice President of Steven Kretchmer Designs. Steven’s legacy of patented metal alloys and groundbreaking metallurgy has continued in today’s market in part to Josh’s contributions and dedication to the company. Josh’s duties included; director of research and development, production, sales and marketing. He traveled extensively to educate retail sales staff, host jewelry shows, and work with jewelers to market the legendary Kretchmer name.
As a visionary with an entrepreneurial spirit, in 2018 Josh created The Helmich Luxury Group. A company that comprises all the knowledge and expertise Josh has garnered over two decades in the jewelry industry. His past business experiences in both wholesale and retail jewelry, design and manufacturing sets him apart from most working in the field today. It is because of his vast experience that Josh has become a sought-after consultant throughout the world for manufacturing, design, alloy development and testing, technology, and branding within the industry. On top of consulting Josh continues to oversee the private client component of HLG (Helmich Luxury Group) bringing the finest quality merchandise to the most discriminating clients all over the world.
Josh served on the Board of Directors for the prestigious COUTURE Show 2005-2009 and again 2012-2018. COUTURE is the global authority of designer fine jewelry and luxury timepieces, representing one of the most important trade shows in the world today.
Josh currently lives in Scottsdale, AZ with his wife and daughter.
VICE PRESIDENT - KEYLEE SANDERS HELMICH
Keylee Sanders Helmich's entrepreneurial steak started at the age of six when she started her first business with her sister. Growing up on a ranch in Kansas doesn’t seem like the most likely place to develop a love of fashion, but it worked for Keylee.
Her love of fashion was put on the national stage when Keylee was crowned Miss Teen USA in 1995. After graduating cum laude in Fashion Design from Kansas State University Keylee worked as a personal shopper for Nordstrom before designing bespoke evening wear and consulting. After hosting Clothes with Keylee on Kansas City's number one radio station Keylee moved to Los Angeles and transitioned her career to television.
Once rooted in California Keylee quickly gained a following as a stylist, host, brand ambassador, and fashion blogger. Appearing and working both in front and behind the camera Keylee has appeared on E!, Style Network, ESPN, CBS, ABC, Fashion TV, Soap Network just to name a few. Working behind the camera for two feature films, countless commercials and national ad campaigns Keylee quickly gained a reputation as one of the most sought-after fashion experts in Hollywood. Keylee has also written and been featured as a style expert for such publications as Life & Style, Wall Street Journal, Us Weekly, InStyle Magazine, Supermodel Magazine, eHarmony, AOL, Yahoo and various other online resources.
She later put her business skills and pageant expertise to use when she co-started K2 Productions and co-owned Miss California USA and Miss California Teen USA. Keylee was also co-executive producer of Miss New York USA, Miss New York Teen USA, Miss New Hampshire USA, and Miss New Hampshire Teen USA
In 2008 Keylee started Style Studio and has serviced every corner of the fashion industry for over a decade. Once Keylee had gained a following of personal clients she introduced another passion of hers, fine jewelry. She went on to attend GIA, the Gemological Institute of America and began sourcing fine jewelry, vintage pieces, precious stones and custom designing jewelry for her clients.
Keylee now serves as Vice President of Helmich Luxury Group, which she and her husband, Josh Helmich, founded in 2018. Helmich Luxury Group combines Keylee’s fashion and business background with Josh’s two-decade-long experience and expertise in the jewelry industry. Josh is one of the industry’s leading consultants and provides access for HLG clients to the finest stones and craftsmanship in the world.
Keylee lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her family.
HELMICH FAMILY LEGACY
1ST GENERATION
The Helmich family legacy began when in the late 1950s, Josh’s Grandfather Don Helmich opened a lapidary and jewelry supply store in Los Angeles. Over the next 30 years, the Compton Rock Shop (CRS) grew to be the third-largest shop of its kind in Los Angeles. Known as the “one-stop shop” they offered tools, equipment, precious metals and gemstones to trade professionals, students and hobbyists. CRS was also widely known for its ¾ acre selection of rough gem material imported from all over the world.
2ND GENERATION
In 1969, Don’s son Steve Helmich began managing CRS after he returned from serving in the Air Force. One day in 1971, a young art and jewelry student named Susan came in to purchase supplies for her college metalsmithing class. After meeting, they began dating and in 1974 they were married. During those years, Susan continued studying metalsmithing under a master goldsmith while simultaneously working in the CRS jewelry workshop performing repairs, custom design and consulting students. It was there that both Steve and Susan’s life long careers were formed and they both continue on their journeys to this day. Steve Helmich - a savvy gem buyer with impeccable taste who today still sells some of the finest colored gems in the industry through his 38-year-old company, Kostbar International.
In 1991, Susan Helmich parted ways with Kostbar International and formed Susan Helmich Design Inc., a trademarked brand featuring her exclusive designs that garnered industry awards throughout Japan and the United States. As a participant in U.S. and European Exhibitions, Susan’s collections were collected by some of the most prestigious independent retail jewelry stores throughout the US, Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Currently, Susan owns and operates a private atelier in Colorado Springs catering to a clientele with discriminating taste. In 2016, Susan’s jewelry was gifted into the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., where it now part of their permanent jewelry collection. Most recently, Susan has been an honored recipient of 1st and 2nd Place AGTA Spectrum Awards for 2017 and 2018.
3RD GENERATION
Josh S. Helmich was born in Los Angeles in 1979. Steve and Susan decided it was time to hit the higher ground and raise their son Josh in Colorado and left L.A. behind in August of 1980. In 1981 they had launched Kostbar International – a wholesale gem and fine jewelry design company. Always a curious and insightful child; some of Josh’s earliest memories include visiting industry trade shows in his stroller while his parents did business. Josh remembers spending countless hours helping his Father sort loose gemstones in the home office. Years of immersion in the family gem and jewelry business played an enormous role in Josh’s decision to enter the jewelry industry and make him the expert he is today.