Events & Awards

Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational Lineup

Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025

Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational Lineup

The seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.

AGTA Seminar Series
At AGTA GemFair in Tucson, Arizona, next month, attendees can view live gem cutting and several presentations as part of the organization’s “Inspired” seminar series.
Tucson, Ariz.—The 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson, set to take place next month, will feature educational programming through its “Inspired” seminar series.

The sessions will take place from Feb. 5 to Feb. 7 in the Tucson Convention Center’s West meeting rooms 201-203 and will include panel discussions, as well as live demonstrations. 

The show will kick off with a presentation on the new RapNet Gemstone Trading Network, a platform designed for buying and selling loose gemstones from AGTA members. Hosted by panelists Saville Stern, chief operating officer of RapNet, and John Ford, CEO of AGTA, the session is slated for Feb. 5 from 9 to 9:55 a.m.

It will be followed by “Images of a Lifetime - And Their Stories,” a presentation from gem photographer Robert Weldon from 10 to 10:55 a.m. on his most noteworthy images.

From 11 to 11:55 a.m., Angela Hedges, longtime archivist at Harry Winston, will dive into the history of the storied jeweler in “Harry Winston & His Most Notable Pursuits.”

In the afternoon, Brandee Dallow, president-elect of Ethical Metalsmiths, will discuss incorporating positive change into one’s jewelry business from 1 to 1:55 p.m., and Chris James Boehner, the content creator behind @chrisjamesgems on Instagram, will give tips on growing an Instagram platform and creating “standout content” from 2 to 2:55 p.m.


The day will close with a presentation from 3 to 3:55 p.m. with insights from Vincent Pardieu, vice president of Consulting WLL, and the creator of social media travelogue series, “Somewhere in the Ulu,” which invites viewers into his adventures to Afghanistan, Madagascar, East Africa, Tasmania, and Colombia. 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 

Thursday, Feb. 6, will begin with “Colored Stone Price and Market Trends,” presented by Gemworld International, Inc. President Stuart Robertson, and Brecken Branstrator, editor-in-chief of GemGuide, the company’s trade publication. 

The discussion will take place from 9 to 9:55 a.m. and explore supply and demand in the colored stone market as well as treatments, trends, and a forecast for the year.

From 10 to 10:55 a.m., Richard Hughes of Lotus Gemology will present “Describing Color in Gems | A Fool's Guide,” discussing popular gemstone terminology, followed by Branko Deljanin, the director of Gemmological Research Industries in Canada, who will present “A Historical Review of Lab Grown Diamonds and Their Detection” from 11 to 11:55 a.m.

Geologist and gemologist Sarah Caldwell-Steele, a doctoral researcher in the archaeology of Whitby jet at Durham University, will start the afternoon sessions with “Gems of Salvation or Stones of Damnation: In a 17th-Century Context Marked by Fear of Witchcraft, can Country of Origin Determination for European Jets?” from 1 to 1:55 p.m.

She will be followed by Josh Helmich, CEO of Helmich Luxury Group and Kevin Reilly, senior vice president of Platinum Guild International, who, from 2 to 2:55 p.m., will discuss the benefits of Inoveo platinum.

Inoveo platinum
Inoveo platinum


Jennifer Shaheen, president and founder of Technology Therapy Group, will close the day with “Navigating AI’s Role in Jewelry: From Design Innovation to Customer Connection,” from 3 to 3:55 p.m.

On Feb. 7, the final day of presentations will kick off with James E. Shigley, distinguished research fellow at GIA, who will host a seminar on gemology as a changing science from 9 to 9:55 a.m.

It will be followed by “Iconic Modern Masters—A Retro & Introspective View of American Jewelry Design” from 10 to 11:25 a.m.

The session is a retrospective of the past 50 years of jewelry making as well as in introspective of master craftsmanship in the future, and panelists include Adam Neeley of Adam Neeley Designs; Jennifer Rabe Morin of George and Jennifer Rabe Jewelers; Victor Velyan of Victor Velyan Designs; Susan Helmich, master goldsmith and designer at Susan Helmich Designs; and Zoltan David, master goldsmith, designer and “innovative metallurgist” at Zoltan David Designs.

It will be moderated by Shelly Sergent, curator of Somewhere In The Rainbow and Eddie Sakamoto, master goldsmith and designer at Sakamoto Designs. 

Another panel discussion, “How Museum Experiences Inspire Buyers and Collectors and the Role Museums Play with Trade Fairs and the Industry,” will take place from 1:00 to 2:25 p.m. featuring panelists Violetta Wolf, director at the Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum; Kimberly Vagner, executive director at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals; Raquel A. Perez, curatrix at Harvard University’s Mineralogical and Geological Museum; and Eloïse Gaillou, director and curator at the Mineralogy Museum of l’École des Mines de Paris (Paris School of Mines), which is now known as Mines Paris – PSL.

It will be moderated by Dr. Gabriela Farfan, curator of gems and minerals at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. 


The day will close with “From Science to Social Media: How Trade Media Engages With & Covers the Jewelry Industry” from 3 to 4:25 p.m., and panelists include Aaron Palke, senior research scientist at GIA; Eileen McLelland, managing editor at InStore; Brendan Laurs, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Gemmology; and Jennifer Heebner, contributor to AGTA, Rapaport, InStore, and Professional Jeweler.

It will be moderated by Gary Roskin of Roskin Gem News.

Each day will feature a live gem cutting session at noon in the convention center’s meeting room 204.

The week will begin with an interactive session by Nadine Marshall of Tumbled Upon Faceting on Feb. 5, cutting by Steven Tyler of Steven Tyler the Designer on Feb. 6, and concluding with cutting by lapidary artist Brett Kosnar on Feb. 7. 
 

The MJSA Journal Live series will also return to this year, with bench demonstrations taking place at 4 p.m. each day, also in meeting room 204. 

Artist Rémy Rotenier will kick off the week with an interactive session on sketching with colored pencils on Feb. 5, followed by metalsmith Melissa Muir’s Feb. 6 session on techniques for texturing metal and her Feb. 7 session on engraving.

Read more details and sign up for these sessions on AGTA’s website.

The 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson show will open on Monday, Feb. 3, and close at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb 9.

Registration is open now. 
Lauren McLemoreis the associate editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments.

The Latest

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.

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.

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.

Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
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.”

Stock image of police cars with lights flashing
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, Robbed

The latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.

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.

Oris New York Harbor Limited Edition II Watch
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster Restoration

The new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.

Lulo Rose pink diamond
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner Lucapa

The investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry Retail

Smith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.

Fake Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra earrings
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ Earrings

The counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.

MJSA Logo
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally Recognized

The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Masaki Obu
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division Manager

Casio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.

Michael Barabash and husband Raymond Cuadrado
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58

Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.

John Hardy Dot Coil Necklace and Dot Hoop Earrings
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on Point

Originally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.

Image of Winona Ryder and Iman from Pandora’s Be Love marketing campaign
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans

The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.

Taylor Swift Etho Maria ruby earrings The Life of a Showgirl TS12
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings

Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.

Audemars Piguet Starwheel Watch
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in Manufacturer

Its investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.

Nicolette Bianchi
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing Director

Nicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.

Pippa Small Myanmar Fish Cluster
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’

Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.

Casio America CEO Yusuke Suzuki
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEO

Longtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.

LA Trading Day
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LA

The full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Stephanie Gottlieb Ring
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut Diamond

Model Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.

International Colored Gemstone Association logo
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of Directors

The board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.

Whiskey Barrel Ring
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring Giveaway

Three winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.

People shopping in a mall
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRF

JD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.

×

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