Events & AwardsMar 02, 2023
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference to Co-Locate with New Instore ShowEvents & AwardsMar 21, 2023
ASJRA’s May Conference Examines ‘Iconic’ Jewelry Companies
Jewelry historians, authors, and experts will explore the works of Tiffany & Co., Oscar Heyman, Verdura, and more.
Oscar Heyman created this “Birds in Flight” bracelet in 1927. The American jeweler will be one of several companies discussed at ASJRA’s upcoming annual conference.
Ellicott City, Md.—The Association for the Study of Jewelry & Related Arts has set the theme for its 18th annual conference.
Held virtually from May 6-7, the sessions will center around the theme of “Iconic Jewelry Firms,” delving into the likes of Tiffany & Co., Oscar Heyman and Verdura.
The speakers and sessions are as follows.
On May 6, Beth Wees, curator emerita of The American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, alongside jewelry specialist Sheila Smithie, FGA, will host the first session of the day, “Marcus & Co.: Three Generations of New York Jewelers.”
The American jeweler was a mainstay in New York City from 1892 to 1962.
Reema Keswani, founder of Golconda Jewelry and former president of the American Society of Jewelry Historians, will present “The Jewelry Designs of Shinde.”
Ambaji Venkatesh Shinde was a well-known jewelry designer, notable for his work at Harry Winston.
Jewelry expert Elizabeth Bray will speak on “The Jewelry of Paul Flato,” highlighting the American jeweler’s work. Bray is the author of “Jeweler to the Stars: The Jewelry of Paul Flato,” published by ACC Art Books in 2010.
Costume jewelry historian Barbara Schwartz will lead a session called “Coro and Louis Rousselet: Two Costume Jewelry Makers You Need to Know More About.”
A virtual cocktail party will be held at 6 p.m. Eastern to celebrate the conference.
Related stories will be right here …
Held virtually from May 6-7, the sessions will center around the theme of “Iconic Jewelry Firms,” delving into the likes of Tiffany & Co., Oscar Heyman and Verdura.
The speakers and sessions are as follows.
On May 6, Beth Wees, curator emerita of The American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, alongside jewelry specialist Sheila Smithie, FGA, will host the first session of the day, “Marcus & Co.: Three Generations of New York Jewelers.”
The American jeweler was a mainstay in New York City from 1892 to 1962.
Reema Keswani, founder of Golconda Jewelry and former president of the American Society of Jewelry Historians, will present “The Jewelry Designs of Shinde.”
Ambaji Venkatesh Shinde was a well-known jewelry designer, notable for his work at Harry Winston.
Jewelry expert Elizabeth Bray will speak on “The Jewelry of Paul Flato,” highlighting the American jeweler’s work. Bray is the author of “Jeweler to the Stars: The Jewelry of Paul Flato,” published by ACC Art Books in 2010.
Costume jewelry historian Barbara Schwartz will lead a session called “Coro and Louis Rousselet: Two Costume Jewelry Makers You Need to Know More About.”
A virtual cocktail party will be held at 6 p.m. Eastern to celebrate the conference.
Day two will kick off with writer Beth Hamilton presenting “Oscar Heyman, The Jeweler’s Jeweler.” She was a contributing author of the book with the same title.
Fashion and jewelry historian Ariana Bishop will give a presentation titled “ Verdura. America’s Crown Jeweler.”
Laura Mathews, great-granddaughter of 20th-century jeweler and sculptor Gustav Manz, will present a session on his work, titled “Lost & Found: The Jewelry of Gustav Manz.”
Jewelry historian Anna Rasche will host “The Drecier Company,” a prominent New York jeweler during the Gilded Age.
Jewelry expert and author Elyse Zorn Karlin will present “The Art Jewelry of Louis Comfort Tiffany.” Karlin is co-director of the event alongside Yvonne J. Markowitz.
The attendance fee is $155. ASJRA members will receive a 10 percent discount.
There is also early-bird pricing available for those who register before March 30.
For those interested in the conference but unable to attend live, a recording will be available for three weeks after the conference.
For more information or to register, visit the ASJRA website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
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.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
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.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
