Events & Awards

JA New York Returns With a Buzz

Events & AwardsAug 12, 2021

JA New York Returns With a Buzz

The jewelry trade show took place at the Javits Center from Aug. 8-10.

2021_JA New York signage.jpg
The JA New York Summer show took place Aug. 8-10 at the Javits Center in Manhattan. It was the first JA New York show held since the start of the pandemic.
New York—For the first time since fall 2019, the JA New York show happened, in a city silenced in the early days of the pandemic and in a space that, up until a month ago, was being used as a mass vaccination site.

JA New York Summer took place Aug. 8-10 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, with organizers reporting in a post-show release—and attendees confirming—that the show was busy.

Buyers filled the show floor and were placing orders with exhibiting brands, designers, and manufacturers. According to JA NY, some at the show said business, “felt like the 1990s.”

Attendees and organizers also remarked on how happy they were to reconnect with friends and colleagues, some of whom they hadn’t seen in person in 18 months or more. 

Paul Schneider, owner of jewelry store Twist in Portland, Oregon, was among those saying it felt good to attend a trade show again.

“While we’ve continued to do robust business throughout the pandemic, having the opportunity to meet with people in person is so important to maintaining our most critical relationships, and walking shows is paramount to discovering new collections and brands,” the jeweler told JA NY organizers. 

Former JCK magazine publisher Mark Smelzer, who is now chief content executive at Jewelers Mutual and publisher of The Zing Report, also remarked on the necessity of trade shows and connecting in person.

“Despite all of the challenges of the last year and a half, it was great to see the show floor filled with buyers, to see people buying and selling, and to see friends in person after far too long,” he said. 

“Being at JA New York for two full days was simply proof that the need for face-to-face encounters endures.”

 Related stories will be right here … 

A number of other industry events are slated to take place in person later this month.

The Independent Jewelers Organization said in June that it plans to hold its conference Aug. 13-17 in Kansas City, Mo.

And the major trade shows that normally take place in Las Vegas in early June—Couture and JCK Las Vegas—were postponed to the end of August.

Couture and the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show are scheduled for Aug. 24-26 at the Wynn Las Vegas, while AGTA GemFair Las Vegas will take place at the neighboring Encore hotel on the same dates.

The dates for JCK Las Vegas, which takes place at the Venetian and Sands Expo Center, are Aug. 27-30.

JA New York is slated to return again this fall, Oct. 24 to 26 at the Javits Center. 

The Latest

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Seattle PD image of Menashe & Sons Jewelers following Aug. 14 smash-and-grab robbery
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs

The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.

Alison Lou Lumière Fine Collection On-Model
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and Resin

The “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: Introducing GIA Jewelry Services

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Buddha Mama gold skull pave huggies
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted Halloween

Show off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.

Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Couture show
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to Watches

The company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.

The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewelry by Beth Bernstein
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide

“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.

DEBEERS_DAY4_DSC_1023-01_1872x1052.jpg
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond Jewelry

From sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.

Collage of bug jewelry
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful Jewelry

For her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.

Gem Awards 2025 at Cipriani New York
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award Nominees

Notable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.

Graphic for Jewelers of America’s 2025 State of the Industry webinar
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry

Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.

Eriness One of One Collection Rings and Necklace
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ Collection

After experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.

Napoleon’s diamond brooch and a pearl and diamond hair ornament
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For Auction

It is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.

Marie Louise’s emerald necklace and earrings stolen in the heist at the Louvre Museum
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist

One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.

Holiday shoppers in Target
MajorsOct 27, 2025
Target to Cut 1,800 Corporate Jobs

The retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.

Hill Management Group
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry Show

Hill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.

Bonhams New Bond Street London flagship
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives Replaced

London-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.

De Beers Diamond View Zoom machine with monitor
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument Demo

The workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.

Two brooches stolen in the October 2025 heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene

The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.

Wyld Box Jewelry Ray of Light Large Drop Earrings
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ Earrings

Founder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.

Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock pendant
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, Kering

The luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.

Cullinan Diamond Mine plant
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital

The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.

Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches by Leon Schäfers, Jeanette Lang, Tobias Kargoll
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch History

The book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.

Alexis Vourvoulis
AuctionsOct 23, 2025
Freeman’s | Hindman Names New VP, Senior Specialist for Jewelry & Watches

Alexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.

Taylor Swift engagement ring Greenwich St
TrendsOct 22, 2025
The Taylor Swift Effect: Antique Diamonds Edition

The superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.

Rahaminov Diamonds Emerald-Cut Diamond Bracelet
TrendsOct 22, 2025
Don’t Forget These Diamond Jewelry Trends When Stocking for the Holidays

Retailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.

Fancy vivid purplish pink diamond
AuctionsOct 22, 2025
Pink Diamond, Vanderbilt Jewels to Headline Phillips’ Geneva Auction

The nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy