Events & AwardsJun 01, 2023
Meet JCK’s 2023 Keynote SpeakerEvents & AwardsMay 30, 2023
These Are the Can’t-Miss JCK Talks Education Sessions
From consumer trends to retail technology, these are the JCK Talks sessions that should be on attendees’ radar.
The JCK show will take place June 2-5 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, with the Gems show and JCK Talks beginning a day earlier on June 1. These are 16 JCK Talks sessions to consider adding to the schedule.
Las Vegas—The 2023 edition of the JCK Las Vegas show opens today.
While the jewels and exhibitors may be the main attractions, organizers have once again lined up a number of education sessions, known as “JCK Talks.”
This year, the educational lineup will feature more than 60 speaker sessions, with a focus on social media content, as well as trends, marketing, sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
These are a few attendees should add to their schedule.
June 2
A JCK Talks “hot topic” session titled “Natural Diamond Updates” will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Showcase Stage.
Speakers include Rob Bates, news director at JCK; Tiffany Stevens, president, CEO and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee; Kristina Buckley Kayel, managing director and CMO of Natural Diamond Council, North America; and Feriel Zerouki, senior vice president of corporate affairs at De Beers Group.
There is also a new stage, dubbed “The Social Stage,” dedicated to social media-related education. It’s located on level 2 within the “Innovation Hub.”
Laryssa Wirstiuk, founder and creative director of digital marketing agency Joy Joya, will host “How to Make Sense of Your Social Media Analytics” from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m at the Social Stage.
Tracey Ellison, blogger and founder of the popular Instagram account “TheDiamondsGirl,” will host “How to Work with Influencers” from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m at the Social Stage.
For those interested in learning more about retail experiences, Andrea Pooler, principal consultant at Hill & Co., will lead “From Showcase to Sales: Maximizing Jewelry Retail Profits through Visual Merchandising,” from 4 to 4:45 p.m. at the Showcase Stage.
Related stories will be right here …
While the jewels and exhibitors may be the main attractions, organizers have once again lined up a number of education sessions, known as “JCK Talks.”
This year, the educational lineup will feature more than 60 speaker sessions, with a focus on social media content, as well as trends, marketing, sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
These are a few attendees should add to their schedule.
June 2
A JCK Talks “hot topic” session titled “Natural Diamond Updates” will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Showcase Stage.
Speakers include Rob Bates, news director at JCK; Tiffany Stevens, president, CEO and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee; Kristina Buckley Kayel, managing director and CMO of Natural Diamond Council, North America; and Feriel Zerouki, senior vice president of corporate affairs at De Beers Group.
There is also a new stage, dubbed “The Social Stage,” dedicated to social media-related education. It’s located on level 2 within the “Innovation Hub.”
Laryssa Wirstiuk, founder and creative director of digital marketing agency Joy Joya, will host “How to Make Sense of Your Social Media Analytics” from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m at the Social Stage.
Tracey Ellison, blogger and founder of the popular Instagram account “TheDiamondsGirl,” will host “How to Work with Influencers” from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m at the Social Stage.
For those interested in learning more about retail experiences, Andrea Pooler, principal consultant at Hill & Co., will lead “From Showcase to Sales: Maximizing Jewelry Retail Profits through Visual Merchandising,” from 4 to 4:45 p.m. at the Showcase Stage.
June 3
Organizers are kicking off Saturday with the JCK Keynote in the Palazzo Ballroom on level 5 of the Venetian from 8 to 9 a.m.
This year’s opening keynote speaker is Johnny Earle, better known as “Johnny Cupcakes,” the man behind the clothing brand of the same name.
Earle will lead “Creating Customer Obsession and Memorable Experiences with Limited Resources.”
He will discuss word-of-mouth marketing, loyalty, and creating customer obsession through experiential branding.
Another “hot topics” session will be held on lab-grown diamonds, titled “Lab-Grown Diamond Updates,” from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Showcase Stage.
Featured speakers are Rob Bates; Edahn Golan, CEO of Edahn Golan Diamond Research and Data; Avi Levy, president of IGI North America; and Joanna Park-Tonks, president of the International Grown Diamond Association.
For those looking to learn more about what’s new in the bridal market, Amanda Gizzi will lead “Wedding Trends” from 11 to 11:45 a.m. at the Showcase Stage.
She will be joined by a panel of experts, including Juli Alvarez, fashion and beauty director at Bridal Guide; Severine Ferrari, editor-in-chief and founder at Engagement 101 Magazine; and Abby Snow, manager and co-owner of Metalmark Fine Jewelry.
The panel will discuss trends in the space as well as opportunities for clientele development and increasing sales.
Later in the afternoon, there will be a talk focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A panel of industry experts will lead “How to Create an Inclusive Environment for Your Customers and Employees” from 2 to 2:45 p.m. at the Showcase Stage.
Speakers include Jennifer Gandia, co-owner of Greenwich St. Jewelers; Valerie Madison, owner and creative director at Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry; Annie Doresca, chief financial officer of Jewelers of America and the board president of the Black in Jewelry Coalition; and James Mack, owner and designer of James Mack Fine Jewelry.
June 4
Another “hot topics” talk will be held Sunday morning, titled “Colored Stone Updates,” from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Showcase Stage.
The session will feature speakers Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK Magazine; Adrianne Sanogo; Monica Stephenson, president and founder of ANZA Gems; Kimberly Collins, CEO and founder of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems; and Jaimeen Shah, partner at Prima Gems USA.
Michael O'Connor, marketing director at The Plumb Club, will host “Today’s Changing Customer: Who, When and What They’re Buying!,” from 11 to 11:45 a.m. at the Showcase Stage.
He will discuss the evolving consumer landscape, consumer trends, shifting values, and more, guided by research from the 2023 Plumb Club Industry and Market Insights study.
“Incorporating Diversity into Your Branding to Attract a Diverse Audience” will be held from 2 to 2:45 p.m. at the Showcase Stage.
The session will be led by Jeffery Bolling, owner and jewelry designer at Jeffery B Jewelers; Dorian Webb, jewelry designer and CEO of Dorian Webb Lifestyle; and Viviana Langhoff, owner jewelry Designer at Adornment and Theory.
Jennifer Shaheen is hosting a number of tech-focused sessions during the show, including “From Artificial to Artistry: The Role of AI in Retail Jewelry's Evolution,” held from 5 to 5:45 p.m. at the Showcase Stage.
To see the full list of educational sessions and events, visit the JCK website.
The JCK show will take place June 2-5 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, with the Gems show and JCK Talks programming beginning a day earlier on June 1.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
SourcingFeb 25, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 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.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
Events & AwardsFeb 23, 2026
NYCJAOS Announces Four-Day Spring ShowThe April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
