While the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
10 sessions for learning at JA New York Summer
Synthetic diamond disclosure, website traffic and trend forecasting are among the topics that will be covered at JA New York Summer Show’s Educational Conference, which will take place Sunday, July 27 and Monday, July 28.
New York--Synthetic diamond disclosure, website traffic and trend forecasting are among the topics that will be covered at JA New York Summer Show’s Educational Conference, which will take place Sunday, July 27 and Monday, July 28.
Speakers will include representatives from the American Gem Trade Association, Jewelers of America, the Natural Color Diamond Association and the Pantone Color Institute, which twice a year forecasts the hues that will influence the design sectors.
The sessions are as follows.
Sunday, July 27
--Success in the Color Gemstone Revolution: Passion & A Plan
10:15 to 11:15 a.m.
AGTA CEO Doug Hucker will address the colored gemstone marketplace, as well as the trends and issues impacting success with this challenging product.
--Advance Your Business through Responsible Sourcing
11:35 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.
This interactive presentation will discuss how members of the jewelry trade have made the most of their responsible sourcing efforts to enhance their reputation and improve their bottom line. Topics to be discussed include supply chain assurance, active or passive proof of origin, informal/artisanal sector challenges and the Diamond Development Initiative’s development diamond standards.
--Should You Pay for Website Traffic? Understanding How & Why
12:55 to 1:55 p.m.
JWag founder and CEO Matthew Perosi will review various types of online paid advertising and how to get involved with them, as well as explore the differences between Google AdWords, Facebook ads, Yelp, Yellow Pages and more.
--Unlocking Your Profit Potential through Consumer Financing
2:15 to 3:15 p.m.
Learn about current consumer credit trends and how to build credit into your business model to increase profits while enhancing the customer experience and building loyalty. Shelly Schulz, lead marketing manager of retail finance at GE Capital, will cover proven best practices, tips on introducing financing and overcoming objections, and the important of consumer credit choices in marketing and advertising.
--Presenting the “Diamonds Do Good” Global Message to Consumers
3:35 to 4:45 p.m.
The Diamond Empowerment Fund will host this seminar focusing on the importance of sharing positive messages about diamonds with consumers, including its recently launched “Diamonds Do Good” initiative. The organization also will share insights on the strategic use of social media to positively impact consumer awareness and confidence throughout the world.
Monday, July 28
--Start Your Day with JA: Breakfast & Benefits
10 to 10:30 a.m.
Matthew Tratner, director of membership and sales at JA, will share over a
--Trend Forecasting: Discovering the Top Trends to Increase Sales
10:40 to 11:25 a.m.
Amanda Gizzi, director of public relations and special events at JA, will discuss the trends that will shape merchandising this fall, holiday season and in the beginning of 2015. She also will highlight the fashion trends that affect how jewelry is worn, walk through the process of determining a relevant trend and reveal how being a trend leader can increase sales.
--How to Grow Your Business in the Digital Age: Why it Pays to be Likeable
11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Nicole Kroese, director of new business at Likeable Local, will share stories and give actionable advice from inspirational small business leaders on growing a business in the digital age, covering responsiveness, authenticity and adaptability.
--Engaging with Color in Autumn/Winter 2015 (presented by the Women’s Jewelry Association)
1 to 2 p.m.
Laurie Pressman, vice president at the Pantone Color Institute, will show attendees how to engage with color without commercial risk, exploring the color statements for autumn/winter 2015-2016.
--Synthetic Diamonds: The Need for Proper Promotion & Disclosure
2:15 to 3:30 p.m.
In this discussion moderated by National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff and presented by the Natural Color Diamond Association, panelists will discuss what needs to be done for proper promotion and disclosure of synthetic diamonds, as well as their plans for dealing with these materials, current detection methods and how people are dealing with undisclosed synthetics.
More information on these seminars can be found on the JA New York website.
The JA New York Summer Show is scheduled for July 27 to 29 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.
The Latest

Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.

Reena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.


Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.

The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

In his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

It has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.

The owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.

The company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.

The retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.

Of the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.

Megan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.

Following decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.






















