Events & Awards

HardRock Summit To Relocate In 2024

Events & AwardsSep 22, 2023

HardRock Summit To Relocate In 2024

The event is moving just outside of Denver.

Mineral display at HardRock Summit 2023
The HardRock Summit trade show, normally at the Colorado Convention Center, announced its 2024 show will take place Sept. 12-15 at The Westin Hotel in Westminster, Colorado.
Denver—Last week, the Colorado-based Hardrock Summit show concluded its third year and announced next year’s event will have a new location.     

Next year, the trade show—designed to bring the jewelry, gemstone, mineral and fossil industries, along with enthusiasts and collectors, under one roof—will take place at The Westin Hotel in Westminster from Sept. 12-15, 2024.

“We are dedicated to evolving and enhancing the show to meet the demands of our exhibitor partners and the broader jewelry, gem and mineral industries,” said Hardrock Summit Co-Founder Christoph Keilmann. 

“The Westin Westminster serves as the ideal venue for our 2024 event, elevating this show to new heights and delivering an exceptional experience in a stunning location.”

This year’s event, held recently at the Colorado Convention Center from Sept. 15-18, attracted over 1,000 trade visitors and nearly 6,000 total visitors.

The showcase was made up of exhibitions, activities and education highlighting fine jewelry, gemstones and mineral specimens, and included participation from members of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA GemFair Denver) and the Denver Gem & Mineral Show.

“As a smaller and more regional show, we were pleased with the quality retailers and collectors we met with for both the minerals and gem sectors of our businesses. It was a nice environment to build upon our relationships and make new connections within the industry,” said Carl Larson, director of gems at Pala International.

Displays included an array of exhibits from institutions and private collectors including the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, New Mexico Bureau of Geology Mineral Museum, Mines Museum of Earth Science, The University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Jim and Gail Spann Collection, and the Gene Meieran Tourmaline Slices.

In partnership with Hardrock Summit, the 55th Annual Denver Gem & Mineral Show (DGMS) displayed minerals from across the globe, meteorites, ancient fossils and a diverse selection of jewelry and gems. 

DGMS also offered family-friendly attractions like a fluorescent room with rocks that illuminated in the dark, gold panning demonstrations, and live cutting and polishing demonstrations by lapidary artists. 

In addition to the exhibits, a series of educational lectures were held throughout the weekend, providing attendees with expert insights, as well as information and updates on the latest trends in the mineral and gem industries.

Sessions included an exclusive update on data extracted by Colorado School of Mines Ph.D. Student Jenna White during field research as part of the AGTA and Mines’ Transparent & Traceable Gemstone Supply Chains Research Project

More of White’s research will be presented at the Tucson gem shows in 2024. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

The HardRock Summit comes at a busy time for trade events, with The Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong show exhibitions taking place Sept. 18-24, and The Jewellery Show, which took place in London Sept. 20-21. 

In 2022, the Hong Kong show was temporarily relocated to Singapore, a move made with pandemic restrictions in mind and a goal of becoming more accessible to international suppliers and buyers. 

That year, feedback from exhibitors at the HardRock Summit about buying activity was mixed, but overall positive.

This year, with the Hong Kong show back in its usual location, some HardRock Summit exhibitors expressed mild concern that the overlap in events made for a slower show. 

Others were happy with the timing of the show, especially given its proximity to the holidays.

“Hardrock Summit is a well-timed show for purchasing colored stones, particularly benefiting retailers ahead of the holiday season. The rising demand in the colored gem market aligns perfectly with this show's timing and it was good to be part of it,” said John Bradshaw, owner and gemstone dealer at John J. Bradshaw. 

When more information for the 2024 show becomes available, it will be found on the HardRock Summit website

The Latest

Image #1_Resized.png
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and Coaching

Sponsored by Clientbook

GIA’s new report for lab-grown diamonds
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming

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

Botswana President Duma Boko
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales Slump

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

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

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

Afton Robertson-Kanne Borsheims
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry Buyer

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

Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Sissy’s Log Cabin Back to School and Bling
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis Students

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

Taylor Swift Engaged
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond Cuts

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

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

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

11,685-carat Imboo emerald
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem Mine

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

Shopping cart
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income Worries

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

Mine + Found Play Collection Prize Bubble Locket, Whistle Pendent, Fortune Dice
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful

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

CCWW lifesaver necklace
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?

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

Nick Jonas x Fossil Campaign
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil Campaign

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

Wally Hinkamp and Donna Hinkamp Warren
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 Years

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

Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-Gifting

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

London Jewelers Rolex East Hampton Boutique Exterior
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons Home

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

Madison Keys
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US Open

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

Marie Lichtenberg emerald and diamond locket on the 18-karat gold “Rosa” chain
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a Wrap

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

WatchTime New York
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary Edition

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

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations

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

Retrouvaí Diamond Vein Bond Collar
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ Collar

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

Kendra Scott
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry Empire

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

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 Stores

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

Target CEO Brian Cornell and COO Michael Fiddelke
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag

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

Jewelers of America in Washington DC
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

Tiffany & Co. Pop Up at U.S. Open
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US Open

The pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.

Bellman’s Jewelers The Truthful Jeweler Alex Bellman
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes Off

The New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy