Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure ProgramEvents & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York Show
The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
A photo from the spring 2024 edition of the JA New York show. The jewelry trade show, now owned by Instore, is held twice a year at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. (Photo credit: Lucas Botz Photography)
Montclair, N.J.—Instore announced this week that it has acquired the JA New York show from Emerald Holding Inc., the company that owns the Couture show, among others.
The deal, which combines a well-known jewelry trade publication with a jewelry trade show that’s been around for more than a century, closed Tuesday.
The purchase price was not disclosed.
JA New York produces two shows a year at the Javits Center in New York City: a fall edition in October and a spring show in March.
In an interview with National Jeweler, SmartWork Media CEO and Instore Publisher Matthijs Braakman said Instore plans to keep both and wants to emphasize what makes each show unique.
“There’s a clear difference between the two shows,” he said.
“The spring show is focused a lot on new designs and new ideas, the early spring introduction of new lines. Fall has always been focused on special delivery, on restocking for fourth-quarter sales.”
JA New York also had a summer show that, for years, took place in July, but pulled the plug after the 2022 edition.
Braakman said there are no plans to revive JA New York summer.
“The summer show defined JA for years. That was the show but then obviously things changed ... JCK [Las Vegas] exists in the summer and the JA NY Summer show kind of lost its momentum.”
He also said that in light of the JA New York acquisition, Instore will no longer produce its own show.
Instore operated the Smart Jewelry Show until 2016, then “took a pause” from producing trade shows until the creation of The Instore Show, which launched in August 2023, Braakman said.
The last Instore Show was held in October 2025.
Braakman said plans were underway to have another show in 2026, but then the company began having more “active conversations” with Emerald about acquiring JA New York.
“When it was clear we were going to be able to come to an agreement, we decided to move away from producing an Instore show in Chicago,” he said.
As part of the acquisition, Tobi Smith, who has been with JA New York for 33 years, will join the Instore team as the show’s account executive.
“My love of the jewelry industry began on 47th Street, and it only deepened when I joined this wonderful event. Thirty-three years later, I could not be more thrilled, or more eager, to work alongside this incredible team,” Smith said in the announcement about the acquisition.
“Instore truly understands this crazy, beautiful business. They bring not only expertise, but genuine compassion for the people and businesses they serve. Our goal is success for everyone, achieved together, and we intend to have a great deal of fun getting there.”
Related stories will be right here …
The deal, which combines a well-known jewelry trade publication with a jewelry trade show that’s been around for more than a century, closed Tuesday.
The purchase price was not disclosed.
JA New York produces two shows a year at the Javits Center in New York City: a fall edition in October and a spring show in March.
In an interview with National Jeweler, SmartWork Media CEO and Instore Publisher Matthijs Braakman said Instore plans to keep both and wants to emphasize what makes each show unique.
“There’s a clear difference between the two shows,” he said.
“The spring show is focused a lot on new designs and new ideas, the early spring introduction of new lines. Fall has always been focused on special delivery, on restocking for fourth-quarter sales.”
JA New York also had a summer show that, for years, took place in July, but pulled the plug after the 2022 edition.
Braakman said there are no plans to revive JA New York summer.
“The summer show defined JA for years. That was the show but then obviously things changed ... JCK [Las Vegas] exists in the summer and the JA NY Summer show kind of lost its momentum.”
He also said that in light of the JA New York acquisition, Instore will no longer produce its own show.
Instore operated the Smart Jewelry Show until 2016, then “took a pause” from producing trade shows until the creation of The Instore Show, which launched in August 2023, Braakman said.
The last Instore Show was held in October 2025.
Braakman said plans were underway to have another show in 2026, but then the company began having more “active conversations” with Emerald about acquiring JA New York.
“When it was clear we were going to be able to come to an agreement, we decided to move away from producing an Instore show in Chicago,” he said.
As part of the acquisition, Tobi Smith, who has been with JA New York for 33 years, will join the Instore team as the show’s account executive.
“My love of the jewelry industry began on 47th Street, and it only deepened when I joined this wonderful event. Thirty-three years later, I could not be more thrilled, or more eager, to work alongside this incredible team,” Smith said in the announcement about the acquisition.
“Instore truly understands this crazy, beautiful business. They bring not only expertise, but genuine compassion for the people and businesses they serve. Our goal is success for everyone, achieved together, and we intend to have a great deal of fun getting there.”
The announcement that Emerald has offloaded JA New York comes on the heels of news that the trade show company is slated to have a new owner.
Earlier this month, private equity firm Apollo announced that Apollo Funds has agreed to acquire Emerald and another operator of business-to-business trade shows, Questex LLC.
The all-cash transaction values Emerald at approximately $1.5 billion and means the company, which is currently traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol EEX, will go private.
Emerald’s portfolio includes Couture in Las Vegas, the new Couture show in Coconut Grove, Florida, and the antique jewelry shows that take place in Las Vegas and Miami.
The company also used to produce NY Now, the gift, home, lifestyle, and accessories show that included fine jewelry, but sold NY Now to a company called Rockview Management Group in April.
Emerald is owned by Toronto-based private equity firm Onex Corp.
Onex bought Nielsen Expositions—the trade show arm of Nielsen, the TV ratings company—in 2013 for $950 million in cash consideration and created a new company, then called Emerald Expositions.
Questex produces shows in the healthcare, entertainment, real estate, hospitality, food and beverage, and travel industries, among others.
Apollo plans to merge Emerald and Questex to create “a leading North American B2B experiential events and media platform” that produces about 160 events across a variety of markets.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026 and is subject to regulatory approvals.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
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.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
Weekly QuizAug 27, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
Lab-GrownAug 26, 2026
AGTA Now Requiring Members to Call Lab-Grown Gems ‘Synthetic’The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”
SurveysAug 26, 2026
Consumer Confidence Dips in August Amid Anticipatory Anxieties Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.
TrendsAug 26, 2026
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ NecklacesThe campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.
CrimeAug 25, 2026
Florida Woman Scammed Out of $1.5M in Jewelry, Precious MetalsTwo suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CollectionsAug 24, 2026
Francesca Villa Honors Napoleon, His Empresses In New CapsuleThe “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
