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
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income ShoppersThe retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-ElectThe Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K MartiniSolomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Bulgari Opens Store in San DiegoThe new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.
CrimeAug 04, 2026
Crew of Thieves Break Into Indiana Jeweler’s HomeFour men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American MarketAndré Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires GemlokNew York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.
CollectionsAug 04, 2026
Musician Carlos Santana Launches Jewelry BrandSantana Now's debut collection, “Unidad,” features symbolic motifs as well as pieces of wood from the Woodstock stage.
CrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store RobberiesThe 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
WatchesAug 03, 2026
Citizen's New Spider-Man Watch Is a Collector’s DreamThe watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.
Lab-GrownAug 03, 2026
Chatham Releases First Men’s CollectionThe new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.
TrendsAug 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Spinel vs. Peridot While some August babies are team peridot, the month's time-honored birthstone, others are team spinel, the newer alternative.
TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
