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.

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.
The Latest

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Sponsored by Clientbook


It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.

Dubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.

Plans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.

The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.

Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.

The Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.

The family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.

In his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.

The new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.

The Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.

Wrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.

The three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.