MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
Events & AwardsOct 12, 2014
MJSA’s ConFab slated for early November
MJSA has announced the dates for its third annual ConFab conference, which offers presentations on business skills that help jewelry makers and designers succeed.
Attleboro Falls, Mass.--MJSA has announced the dates for its third annual ConFab conference, which offers presentations on business skills that help jewelry makers and designers succeed.
This year’s ConFab is scheduled for Nov. 2 at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
A portion of the topics and presenters slated for the conference are as follows.
Business 101: The Basics Every Jewelry Business Person Needs to Know
Ben Janowski of Janos Consultants will help attendees understand current business conditions and what it takes to create a sustainable jewelry business. He will discuss developing a business plan, criteria for product development, the establishment of target markets, internal requirements, timelines, sourcing options, and financial and pricing basics.
Legal 101: A Jewelry Business Guide to Laws and Regulations
Suzan Flamm, senior counsel at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, will cover laws that impact the making and selling of jewelry. The easy-to-understand seminar will address protecting intellectual property, marking precious metals and creating legally compliant advertising. Flamm also will discuss anti-money laundering operations and the Kimberley Process.
Merchandising: Creating a Line That Sells
Cindy Edelstein of the Jeweler’s Resource Bureau will outline how designers can create an overall design concept, direction and merchandise mix for a viable collection, which can grow and evolve over the lifespan of a designer’s career.
Digital Marketing: A 2014 Update
Eugene Brill, vice president of operations at Richline Group’s Jewelry.com, will share the latest on search engine optimization, search engine marketing, pay-per-click and social media.
Photography: Creating Images that Sell
Matthew Perosi of JewelerWebsites.com will teach attendees the basics of how to take photos that compel customers to give jewelry a second look in a competitive online environment where good images are the “holy grail” for success in marketing.
“From the basics of developing a business plan and a viable collection to pricing, merchandising and marketing, this year’s ConFab will again feature the type of information that can be put to use directly and immediately by jewelry makers and designers who are new to our field,” said MJSA President and CEO David Cochran.
Registration for MJSA’s Confab is available on MJSA.org.
In addition to ConFab, MJSA also will be offering two webinars for jewelry makers and designers in October and November, both taught by Andrea Hill, owner and CEO of Hill Management Group and StrategyWerx, a small-business consulting and education firm.
On Oct. 17, Hill
will present Better Subcontracting for Jewelry Makers and Designers, where she will explain how to develop successful relationships with subcontractors, or those who perform CAD/CAM, casting, setting, finishing and other processes needed to create jewelry. This webinar will teach attendees how to evaluate contractors and their capabilities, communicate expectations and understand theirs, establish a successful working relationship and manage outcomes.
Hill will discuss Getting Lean for the Small Jewelry Maker or Designer on Nov. 7, where she will cover how to run a small jewelry business as efficiently as possible using the lean management “5S” concept, which stands for Sort (remove/reduce), Straighten (streamline/organize), Shine (clean/inspect), Standardize (create a standard of consistent behavior) and Sustain (commit to repeatable behaviors).
MJSA Online Learning webinars are $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Additional information and registration can be found on MJSA.org.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
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.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
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.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
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.
