Events & AwardsAug 03, 2023
See the 2023 CASE Award WinnersEvents & AwardsAug 17, 2023
Instore Show Concludes First Run
The jewelry trade show happened Aug. 13-15 in Rosemont, Illinois.
The inaugural Instore Show was held Aug. 13-15 in Rosemont, Illinois.
Rosemont, Ill.—Seven years after the last “Smart” jewelry trade show, Instore Magazine has concluded its first Instore Show.
The Instore Show 2023 was held Aug. 13-15 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
The trade show co-located with the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference, which took place Aug. 11-12.
Also on Aug. 12, Instore and MJSA held a day of educational programming, called “Cram Day.”
MJSA also oversaw the show’s “Bench Pressure Challenge” on Aug. 13 and 14.
The competition consisted of two challenges revolving around “mystery boxes” of materials.
Shayna Egan of Green Lake Jewelry Works in Seattle won the “Mystery Box Challenge.”
Alongside two other bench jewelers, Egan was tasked with designing a piece using the box of materials ahead of the trade show. The jewelers then presented their finished product to an audience at the show.
The second challenge, the “Timed Challenge,” happened on-site.
Jimmy Butts of Sissy’s Log Cabin in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, won the challenge, which involved resizing, setting, and finishing a piece using given materials.
The challenge had to be completed within three hours.
Related stories will be right here …
The Instore Show 2023 was held Aug. 13-15 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
The trade show co-located with the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference, which took place Aug. 11-12.
Also on Aug. 12, Instore and MJSA held a day of educational programming, called “Cram Day.”
MJSA also oversaw the show’s “Bench Pressure Challenge” on Aug. 13 and 14.
The competition consisted of two challenges revolving around “mystery boxes” of materials.
Shayna Egan of Green Lake Jewelry Works in Seattle won the “Mystery Box Challenge.”
Alongside two other bench jewelers, Egan was tasked with designing a piece using the box of materials ahead of the trade show. The jewelers then presented their finished product to an audience at the show.
The second challenge, the “Timed Challenge,” happened on-site.
Jimmy Butts of Sissy’s Log Cabin in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, won the challenge, which involved resizing, setting, and finishing a piece using given materials.
The challenge had to be completed within three hours.
Other highlights included the “Play It Cool” party that honored winners of Instore’s annual “America’s Coolest Stores” awards and keynote speaker Shane Decker. He delivered a presentation titled, “How to Double Your Average Ticket Sale.”
Educational sessions were held throughout the show, facilitated by Instore columnists and various retailers on topics spanning store environment, overcoming customer objections, and prepping for the fourth quarter based on retail trends.
“It was great to see the pages of Instore come to life with so many of our columnists and peers present for the show,” said Eileen McClelland, managing editor of the magazine.
Exhibitor Kimberly Collins of Kimberly Collins Gems remarked, “On opening day, we did triple the goal we set for ourselves for the entire show. Retailers restocked some loose colored gemstones, including a huge blue zircon from Cambodia and teal sapphires.
“We also sold a beautiful ruby tennis necklace, and there was also lots of interest in rainbow jewelry and Barbie pink.”
Alan Goodheart of Goodheart’s Jewelry in Overland Park, Kansas, said, “It was great to reconnect with people. We haven’t been to a show since before the pandemic. We’ve had two great days of buying and the party was amazing—the food, the music, the excitement.”
The Instore Show will return to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois next year from Aug. 11-13.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s MurderCarlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ CollectionThe brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.
Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for RainCitizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.
AuctionsOct 06, 2025
The ‘Rolex That Made Rolex’ Heads to Auction at Sotheby’s The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing DirectorAmit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West CoastMembers of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store ScamTwo men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in DallasThe brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
