Events & AwardsSep 08, 2021
The ‘Ethical Gem Fair’ Is Heading to Denver Next WeekEvents & AwardsSep 14, 2021
Heading to the HardRock Summit This Week? Check Out These Events
Here’s the lineup of education sessions and special exhibitions happening at the Denver show.
These three rhodochrosite specimens—from left to rght: the Alma King, the Alma Queen, and the Alma Rose—will be showcased together at the upcoming HardRock Summit event in Denver.
Denver—Organizers of the HardRock Summit have released the full schedule of educational events and special exhibitions that will be held at the show.
The summit comprises two components: “Evolution” for minerals and fossils at the Colorado Convention Center from Sept. 16-19, and “Sparkle & Joy” for fine gems and jewelry at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel from Sept. 18-21.
The Denver Gem & Mineral Show also will hold their annual show adjacent to the Evolution venue.
Here are the education sessions and events those heading to Colorado this week should check out.
Education at Evolution
Thursday, Sept. 16
--11:00 a.m., “The World’s Most Colorful Mineral-Fluorite,” Jeff Scovil;
--12:00 p.m., “Colorado Fossil Discoveries: Old and New,” Lou Taylor; and
--1:00 p.m., “Fantastic Fluorite Finds of the Alps,” Ryan Bowling.
Friday, Sept. 17
--11:00 a.m., “Mexican Fluorites,” Dr. Peter Megaw;
--12:00 p.m., “Exploration into the Cause of Color in Fluorite,” Dr. Virgil Lueth; and
--2:00-3:30 p.m., “The Earth and Stars” panel discussion featuring Dr. Terry Wallace, Pete Modreski, Matt Morgan, and a Q&A session facilitated by Dave Waisman.
Saturday, Sept. 18
--11:00 a.m., “Colorado Fluorites,” Dave Bunk;
--12:00 p.m., “New Mexico Fluorite,” Phil Simmons;
--2:00-3:30 p.m., “Rhodochrosite—Colorado’s State Mineral” panel discussion featuring Bryan Lees, Collector’s Edge Minerals; and George Sparks, Denver Museum of Natural and Science; Aurore Gilguet, Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals; Gail Spann, Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals; Renata Lafler, Colorado School of Mines; Joel Bartsch, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and a Q&A session facilitated by Dave Waisman.
Sunday, Sept. 19
--11:00 am, “Phenomenal Fluorite: Luminescence Phenomena in a Collector Favorite,” Robert Carnein;
--12:00 pm, “Illinois Fluorite,” Jared Freiburg; amd
--2:00-3:30 pm, “Colorado: Its Mines, Minerals and Men” panel discussion featuring Mark Ivan Jacobson, Steve Zahony, and Ed Raines.
Education at Sparkle & Joy
Saturday, Sept. 18
--4:00 p.m., “The Hamlin Necklace, From Art to Science,” Dr. Raquel Alonso-Perez.
Sunday, Sept. 19
--11:00 a.m., “Colored Gemstone & Design Trends for Fall and Beyond,” presented by the Women’s Jewelry Association featuring Brecken Branstrator, National Jeweler; Nan Lung Palmer, Facets Jewelry Consulting; Erica Silverglide, Gemology Geek; and moderated by communications consultant Jen Cullen Williams; and
--4:00 p.m., “Once Upon a Jewel,” Cynthia Renee.
Special Exhibitions at Evolution
--The Alma King, Alma Queen and Alma Rose, a trio of the world’s best rhodochrosite crystals, will reunite for the first time during the event;
-- Meteorites on loan from the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum in Bethel, Maine;
-- World’s largest Martian meteorite;
-- The Hamlin Necklace, on loan from the Mineralogical and Geological Museum at Harvard University. Designed and commissioned by August Choate Hamlin in the late 19th century, the necklace was donated to the Harvard Museum in 1934 and is comprised of 70 gemstones, ranging from 3 carats to 34 carats, for a total carat weight of 228.12 carats;
-- Katherine’s Necklace, aka Colorado Fire, designed and created by Kimberly Knox, GIA GG, featuring seven stones—the center weighing 14.06 carats; and
--A collection of 120 trillion stones on loan from a private collector.
Special Exhibitions at Sparkle & Joy
-- A large topaz crystal weighing close to 250 pounds on loan from a private collector; and
-- A display of 19 exceptional natural fine mineral specimens.
For more information about the HardRock Summit and its planned events, visit HardRockSummit.com.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
