Couture Announces Education Sessions
The programming topics include gemology, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and more.

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.”
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.
The Latest

A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.

The rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.

The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

The Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.


Dallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.

DCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.

Its new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.

The three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.

Jewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.

The collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.

Dhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.

The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.

SSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.

As Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.

Cole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.

Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.

Scheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.

Submissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.

The beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.

The recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”

She wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.

Couture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.

The lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.

The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.























