Events & AwardsSep 22, 2022
JCK Industry Fund Now Accepting ApplicationsGradingSep 23, 2022
GIA Career Fair Returns to Carlsbad
The Gemological Institute of America also announced plans for events in New York and London in 2023.
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America is bringing its career fair back to its headquarters in Carlsbad, California, later this month.
The event is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 30. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.
The day starts at 9 a.m. PDT with keynote speaker Mark Buntz, GIA senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
Buntz, who worked in sports before transitioning into jewelry, will share his thoughts on what makes a career in the jewelry industry so alluring.
Recruiting for jobs nationwide and career coaching will follow Buntz’s presentation.
GIA has a list on its website of the recruiters scheduled to attend the career fair as well as the openings that are available.
The day closes at 3:30 p.m. PDT with GIA Vice President of Business Development Richard Pesqueira moderating a panel of industry professionals on the state of the jewelry industry.
Panelists are: Mark Smelzer, chief content executive at Jewelers Mutual; Taylor Burgess, senior vice president of customer experience at Stuller; and Kathy Mizani, senior category manager of fine jewelry at eBay.
Related stories will be right here …
The event is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 30. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.
The day starts at 9 a.m. PDT with keynote speaker Mark Buntz, GIA senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
Buntz, who worked in sports before transitioning into jewelry, will share his thoughts on what makes a career in the jewelry industry so alluring.
Recruiting for jobs nationwide and career coaching will follow Buntz’s presentation.
GIA has a list on its website of the recruiters scheduled to attend the career fair as well as the openings that are available.
The day closes at 3:30 p.m. PDT with GIA Vice President of Business Development Richard Pesqueira moderating a panel of industry professionals on the state of the jewelry industry.
Panelists are: Mark Smelzer, chief content executive at Jewelers Mutual; Taylor Burgess, senior vice president of customer experience at Stuller; and Kathy Mizani, senior category manager of fine jewelry at eBay.
GIA’s career fair “creates a unique space where you can seek opportunities that match your skills and propel your career,” said GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques. “Whether you have sales, education, IT or bench jewelry skills, there is something for everyone with amazing companies looking for talent.”
GIA held its first career fair in Santa Monica, California, in 1991 and has since expanded with events in India, Las Vegas, London, and New York.
The Sept. 30 career fair will be its first in Carlsbad since the pandemic, and GIA plans to follow with fairs in New York and London next year.
For more information and to register for the Carlsbad event, visit GIA.edu/Career-Fair, and follow @GIANews on Twitter for updates.
More on Grading
The Latest
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
