JA to Host Next Learning Workshop in Providence
The one-day workshop will be held July 17 at the Rhode Island School of Design.

The Multifaceted Learning Workshop is scheduled to take place on July 17 at the Rhode Island School of Design.
JA is hosting alongside the Providence Jewelers Club.
The event is part of a series of learning workshops designed to make education more accessible to independent jewelers.
The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration and networking over coffee, followed by a welcome announcement at 9:30 a.m.
The first session is “Building a Successful Brand,” held from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m., presented by Stephanie Goldman, director of marketing at Hearts on Fire.
The company launched its signature branded diamond in 1996. Nearly 30 years later, Goldman will talk about the brand’s relaunch and how it works to stay relevant to today’s consumer while staying true to its brand DNA.
A panel of experts will discuss “Sparkling Strategies for Digital Marketing” from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Panelists include Dillan Dove, director of Jewelry for U.S. and Canada at Podium, Janina Messerlian, vice president of Baxter’s Jewelers, and Jennifer Shaheen, president of Technology Therapy Group.
The discussion will cover the latest digital marketing tools and trends impacting online success. Panelists will share their experiences in the unique world of fine jewelry marketing.
Edward Lemire, president of ESP Global, will present “History of the Jewelry Industry” from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Lemire will look back at the last 50 years in the U.S. jewelry industry, focusing on the manufacturing and supply of fashion, costume, and fine jewelry.
After lunch, JA and Providence Jewelers Club will present the “Membership Minutes” from 1 to 1:15 p.m.
Franklin Klink, field loss prevention manager at Jewelers Mutual, will present “Spot the Risk” from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.
He will outline potential risks, including physical theft and cyberattacks, and share safety best practices.
The session will include an interactive approach to store security and loss prevention based on real-life events.
Next, Steven Rees, executive laboratory director at the International Gemological Institute, will present “How to Maximize Sales of Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds” from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
In his presentation, Reese will share how to make the most of both natural and lab-grown diamond sales, especially as consumers opt for more affordable jewelry.
After a networking break, attendees can listen in on “Maximizing Returns: Mastering Jewelry Refining for Manufacturers and Retailers” from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.
Speakers include Gannon & Scott’s John Antonacci, vice president of sales and marketing, and Andrew McManus, general manager.
The pair will discuss strategies to elevate refining processes and boost profitability.
The interactive session is geared toward both manufacturers and retailers, with insights on refining techniques, market trends, and innovative approaches to maximize the value of precious metals.
The last session of the day is “Consumer Buying and Jewelry Trends” from 4:15 to 5 p.m.
Speakers include Jackie Mecca, senior vice president of GM Luxury Markets at Synchrony, and Amanda Gizzi, director of public relations and events at JA.
The session will dive into findings from Synchrony’s 2023 “Major Purchase Study,” which looked at the consumer journey when making purchases worth $500 and above, as well as customer buying behavior. Gizzi will also share the latest jewelry trends.
From 5 to 7 p.m., attendees are invited to a cocktail party.
The cost of the one-day workshop is $75.
For more information or to register, visit the Jewelers of America website.
The Latest

The stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.

Hollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.

The New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Making its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.


They were attacked on Oct. 15, as approximately 40 miners without licenses marched on the mine’s gate.

It took the masked thieves less than 10 minutes to steal eight irreplaceable jewels from two display cases in the museum’s Apollo Gallery.

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

Gemologist Lauren Gayda has previously worked at The Clear Cut, Taylor & Hart, and Effy Jewelry.

In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

Take a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.

Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.

The new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.

The holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

The brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Corey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.

Charles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.

Timepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.

The auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.

As chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.

The parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.

The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.

The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

Jewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.

The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.