BrankoGems To Hold Conference in Montana
The event, set for June 13-15, will feature educational presentations and guided visits to the state’s sapphire mines.

The event will be held June 13 to 15 at the Delta Hotels Helena Colonial.
It will include presentations and workshops, as well as guided sapphire mine visits to the Yogo, Missouri River, and Rock Creek Sapphire Mines and Yellowstone National Park.
The trips, limited to 30 participants, will be offered before and after the conference.
Expert discussion topics include sapphires from Montana and turquoise grading, as well as the challenges of identifying natural and synthetic and treated gemstones.
Warren Boyd of Potentate Mining will present “Rock Creek Sapphire Mine,” gemologist and consultant Dr. Lore Kiefert will discuss “Origin Determination of Sapphires,” and turquoise expert Joe Dan Lowry will present “Turquoise 101.”
The conference workshops will also feature over 200 samples, and presenters will explore solutions to identification challenges through demonstrating techniques utilizing standard and portable advanced gemological instruments.
Dr. Kiefert will lead the workshop “Treatment and Origin Determination of Sapphires;” Lowry will lead “Turquoise Grading;” and Branko Deljanin, president and head gemologist at CGL Canadian Gemlab and director of Gemmological Research Industries, will lead “ID of LGD.”
A round table featuring seven international experts and moderated by Travis Lejman, gemologist and conference co-chair, will discuss “Sapphire Origins” and “LGD Versus Natural Diamonds.”
In addition, some presentations will further explore portable instruments for identifying gems and synthetic diamonds, as well as artificial intelligence (AI).
Randall Lightfoot of Mayflower Estate Buyers and Consulting will lead “Gem Secrets: The Importance of Inclusions & CPF” and Guy Borenstein, senior gemologist at Stuller will present “Screening Instruments for Laboratory-Grown Diamonds.”
Also, Sharrie Woodring, senior gemologist at GCAL, will lead “An Update from GCAL by Sarine Lab: Diamond Traceability, AI-Driven Grading, and Market Dynamics” and Deljanin will speak on “How India’s CVD Boom in Production, Treatments, and Cutting is Reshaping Diamond Mining and Gemological Testing Worldwide.”
The upcoming event will be BrankoGems’ first International Conference in the United States.
The company has held seven Mediterranean Gem and Jewellery Conferences since 2015, as well as an International Conference in Australia in 2023.
Its conferences are designed to offer a unique “tech-trade platform,” said the company, with practical workshops for gemologists, appraisers, and other industry professionals.
For more information on speakers, lectures, tours, the venue, and registration visit the event website.
The Latest

The retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.

The new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.

The jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

The new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.


Family-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.

The Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.

Ella Blum was appointed to the newly created role.

Sponsored by RapNet

Investment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.

It explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.

Retail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.

Taylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.

Was 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.

Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.

Plus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.

Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.

“Vimini” is the first chapter of the “Bulgari Eternal” collection that merges archival pieces with modern creations.

The third edition will be held in Half Moon Bay, California, in April.

The grant is in its first year and was created to recognize an exceptional fine jewelry designer whose star is on the rise.

Data built on trust, not tracking, will be key to success going forward, as the era of “borrowed attention” ends, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Heath Yarges brings two decades of experience to the role.

Pete’s boundless curiosity extended beyond diamond cut and he was always eager to share his knowledge with others, no matter the topic.

Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier had another successful holiday season, Richemont reported this week.

Our Piece of the Week is Lagos’ “Bee” brooch that was seen on the red carpet for the first time on Sunday.
























