CollectionsMay 07, 2024
These ‘Luminaries’ Are Set to Light Up CoutureEvents & AwardsMay 29, 2024
Couture Announces Education Sessions
The programming topics include gemology, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and more.
The Couture Show will offer education sessions throughout the show in the Cristal Ballroom and in the Bandol Ballroom.
Las Vegas—Couture organizers have announced the lineup for the show’s education sessions that will take place throughout the show.
The trade show is held at The Wynn Las Vegas from May 29-June 2.
“We’re delighted to re-introduce our learning and thought leadership programming, Couture Talks, to our 2024 event,” said Emerald Executive Vice President and Couture Director Gannon Brousseau.
“In creating our session lineup, we focused on developing subject matter that is relevant and compelling, as well as securing speakers who are leaders within their fields. We’re excited to have arrived at that perfect combination of great content and exceptional partners.”
The programming will begin Thursday, May 30, with the Gemological Institute of America hosting several 20-minute pop-up sessions in the Cafe Noir lounge on the show floor.
According to the Couture website, Carson Lee, a senior instructor of gemology at GIA, will lead the sessions.
The sessions will feature samples from GIA’s museum collection along with insights and demonstrations.
The aim is to “translate gemological knowledge into engaging customer experiences.”
It will kick off with “Exceptional Color: Rough & Cut,” slated for 10 a.m. and again at 3 p.m.
Attendees will hear about the trends and rarity of colored gemstones such as Paraíba tourmaline, padparadscha sapphire, and spinel, while also learning how to educate customers on these gemstones.
At “Pearls: Trends Beyond Tradition,” scheduled for 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Lee will review the colors and shapes of cultured pearls.
Attendees will also learn how to leverage the varying types to appeal to modern consumers and how to showcase pearls in-store to attract new generations.
“Phenomenal Gemstones: Science & Storytelling” will take place at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
In this talk, Lee will cover gemstone color change and optical effects, as well as how to identify these stones and showcase them to customers.
Related stories will be right here …
The trade show is held at The Wynn Las Vegas from May 29-June 2.
“We’re delighted to re-introduce our learning and thought leadership programming, Couture Talks, to our 2024 event,” said Emerald Executive Vice President and Couture Director Gannon Brousseau.
“In creating our session lineup, we focused on developing subject matter that is relevant and compelling, as well as securing speakers who are leaders within their fields. We’re excited to have arrived at that perfect combination of great content and exceptional partners.”
The programming will begin Thursday, May 30, with the Gemological Institute of America hosting several 20-minute pop-up sessions in the Cafe Noir lounge on the show floor.
According to the Couture website, Carson Lee, a senior instructor of gemology at GIA, will lead the sessions.
The sessions will feature samples from GIA’s museum collection along with insights and demonstrations.
The aim is to “translate gemological knowledge into engaging customer experiences.”
It will kick off with “Exceptional Color: Rough & Cut,” slated for 10 a.m. and again at 3 p.m.
Attendees will hear about the trends and rarity of colored gemstones such as Paraíba tourmaline, padparadscha sapphire, and spinel, while also learning how to educate customers on these gemstones.
At “Pearls: Trends Beyond Tradition,” scheduled for 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Lee will review the colors and shapes of cultured pearls.
Attendees will also learn how to leverage the varying types to appeal to modern consumers and how to showcase pearls in-store to attract new generations.
“Phenomenal Gemstones: Science & Storytelling” will take place at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
In this talk, Lee will cover gemstone color change and optical effects, as well as how to identify these stones and showcase them to customers.
On Friday, May 31, the talks will kick off at 8:15 a.m. with a panel discussion, “Sustainability, Responsibility, Sourcing & Technology,” held in the Bandol Ballroom.
The speakers will share their insights on sustainability, sourcing, and technology and innovation, as well as collaborated efforts that are furthering the progress in these areas.
The panelists are Platinum Guild International USA President Jenny Luker; Tracr CEO Wes Tucker; Anglo American’s Executive Head of Market Development for platinum group metals Benny Oeyen; owner and COO of Kwiat and Fred Leighton Russell Kwiat; and Stuller Chief Operating Officer Belit Myers.
Josh Helmich, CEO of Helmich Luxury Group, will moderate.
Tracr, De Beers’ blockchain-based platform for tracing diamonds’ journey from the mine to the retailer, is sponsoring the session.
At 1:15 p.m. on May 31, “Amplifying Success Across the Fashion Industry with Beautiful AI” will be held in the Bandol Ballroom.
It’s sponsored by Perfect Corp., an artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) beauty and fashion technology company.
Speaker Wayne Liu, chief growth officer at Perfect Corp., will provide a look into how AI, AR, and virtual try-on are “revolutionizing the apparel and accessories industry.”
Liu will discuss how AI and AR-driven solutions are empowering fashion brands to stay ahead and “deliver unparalleled virtual try-on experiences that are proven to boost sales, foster loyal brand connections, and create unparalleled personalized shopping experiences.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Shopify is offering one-on-one consultations throughout the show with its executives and solution engineers.
The focus of the meetings is “How to Elevate your Customer Journey by Crafting a Holistic Brand Experience.”
In the consultation, Shopify representatives will review the solutions it offers for e-commerce and inventory management as well as its services designed to save businesses time and energy while creating “an exceptional, holistic experience” for clients.
The meetings will take place in Villa 110. Appointments can be booked in the Couture Connect App, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play store.
The full education schedule can be viewed on the Couture website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
