Events & AwardsApr 08, 2024
AGS Announces First Recipient of ‘Women in Leadership’ ScholarshipEvents & AwardsApr 15, 2024
10 Can’t-Miss Sessions at AGS Conclave 2024
From lab-grown diamonds and AI to the inevitable Taylor Swift mention, here are some of Conclave’s most intriguing educational offerings.
Austin, Texas—American Gem Society Conclave 2024 is slated to begin Monday in Austin, Texas.
As always, the three-day conference is packed with educational offerings, including discussions on diamonds (both natural and lab-grown), artificial intelligence (AI), and responsible sourcing.
To aid attendees in scheduling, National Jeweler has selected 10 sessions it thinks jewelry store owners should not miss.
Here they are, in chronological order. All times given are local to Austin (Central Daylight Time).
1. “Chair Yoga and a New Approach to Customer Service”
Monday, April 15, 9-10 a.m.
There’s nothing wrong with kicking off Conclave 2024 with a little bit of yoga. On Monday morning, Preferred Jewelers International Creative Director Laurie Miller will mix stress-reducing yoga moves with a lesson on the art of truly listening.
2. “Giving Back: Stats and Facts from the Ground in East Africa”
Monday, April 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Rachel Merisheki, executive director of Gem Legacy, the organization focused on training, entrepreneurship, and community development in East Africa gem-mining communities, will share stories of the nonprofit’s success and failures, as well as information on how to get involved.
3. “Beyond Swifties: Adapting Your Sales Approach for Women”
Monday, April 15, 4-5 p.m.
In the wake of the “influential female economy of 2023” in which Beyoncé, “Barbie,” and Taylor Swift generated huge streams of revenue, Anna Samsonova will lead a panel discussion on how the growing number of women leaders and buyers is shaping the jewelry market.
4. “Female Sex Trafficking in Diamond Mining”
Monday, April 15, 4-5 p.m.
Industry veteran Brandee Dallow, Grandview Diamonds chief communications and sustainability officer, will be joined by Abigail Sibanda, a gender focal person with the Marange Women’s Alliance, and Responsible Jewelry Transformative founder Susan Wheeler to shed light on the atrocities being perpetrated on women and girls around diamond mining operations in Zimbabwe.
5. “What’s #Trending on Social Media 2024”
Tuesday, April 16, 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Communications expert Jen Cullen Williams will be joined by TikTok influencer and social media juggernaut Julia Chafé as well as Loudr Creative Director Dewey Taylor and TheDiamondsGirl Tracy Ellison to talk about what’s currently hashtag-hot on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, and more.
Related stories will be right here …
As always, the three-day conference is packed with educational offerings, including discussions on diamonds (both natural and lab-grown), artificial intelligence (AI), and responsible sourcing.
To aid attendees in scheduling, National Jeweler has selected 10 sessions it thinks jewelry store owners should not miss.
Here they are, in chronological order. All times given are local to Austin (Central Daylight Time).
1. “Chair Yoga and a New Approach to Customer Service”
Monday, April 15, 9-10 a.m.
There’s nothing wrong with kicking off Conclave 2024 with a little bit of yoga. On Monday morning, Preferred Jewelers International Creative Director Laurie Miller will mix stress-reducing yoga moves with a lesson on the art of truly listening.
2. “Giving Back: Stats and Facts from the Ground in East Africa”
Monday, April 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Rachel Merisheki, executive director of Gem Legacy, the organization focused on training, entrepreneurship, and community development in East Africa gem-mining communities, will share stories of the nonprofit’s success and failures, as well as information on how to get involved.
3. “Beyond Swifties: Adapting Your Sales Approach for Women”
Monday, April 15, 4-5 p.m.
In the wake of the “influential female economy of 2023” in which Beyoncé, “Barbie,” and Taylor Swift generated huge streams of revenue, Anna Samsonova will lead a panel discussion on how the growing number of women leaders and buyers is shaping the jewelry market.
4. “Female Sex Trafficking in Diamond Mining”
Monday, April 15, 4-5 p.m.
Industry veteran Brandee Dallow, Grandview Diamonds chief communications and sustainability officer, will be joined by Abigail Sibanda, a gender focal person with the Marange Women’s Alliance, and Responsible Jewelry Transformative founder Susan Wheeler to shed light on the atrocities being perpetrated on women and girls around diamond mining operations in Zimbabwe.
5. “What’s #Trending on Social Media 2024”
Tuesday, April 16, 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Communications expert Jen Cullen Williams will be joined by TikTok influencer and social media juggernaut Julia Chafé as well as Loudr Creative Director Dewey Taylor and TheDiamondsGirl Tracy Ellison to talk about what’s currently hashtag-hot on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, and more.
6. “Real People, Real Impact: Telling the Real Story Behind Natural Diamonds”
Tuesday, April 16, 12-1 p.m.
Diamonds Do Good’s Madison Harvey will lead a discussion with jewelry designer Constance Polamalu, owner of Zachary’s Jewelers, and DDG Executive Director Nancy Orem Lyman on how natural diamonds benefit the countries where they are mined and how retailers can share those stories with customers.
7. “AI and the Jewelry Industry: What You Need to Know Now!”
Tuesday, April 16, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
National Jeweler Associate Editor Lenore Fedow attended Ford Saeks’ session on ChatGPT at AGS Conclave 2023 and found it to be informative. The president and CEO of Prime Concepts Group Inc. returns to Conclave this year to talk all things AI.
8. “Laboratory-Grown Diamonds-Policies, Procedures, and Pricing: What the Retailer Needs to Know”
Wednesday, April 17, 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Jewelers Vigilance Committee CEO and General Counsel Tiffany Stevens and John Carter of Jack Lewis Jewelers are among the panelists for this panel discussion on the need for in-store policies and procedures on lab-grown diamonds and how to navigate pricing.
9. “Cracking the Code: Marketing, Selling and Collaborating with Gen Z”
Wednesday, April 17, 12-1 p.m.
Williams and Chafé return for this panel discussion of Gen Z jewelry professionals that will cover how to market and sell to Gen Z consumers (currently ages 12-27) and best practices for hiring and working members of this generation.
10. “Recycled, Repurposed, Fairmined: ... Oh My!”
Wednesday, April 17, 12-1 p.m.
Wheeler heads this panel discussion on precious metals, their supply chains, and how to source them responsibly. She will be joined by panelists Dani Cutler of Hoover & Strong, jewelry designer Jennifer Dawes, and Melissa Quick, president of Steve Quick Jeweler.
For a full list of education sessions at Conclave 2024, visit the AGS website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
