ColumnistsJan 13, 2026
2025 Was a ‘Price Up, Units Down’ Year, Here’s What That Signals for 2026 In a market defined by more selective consumers, Sherry Smith shares why execution will be independent jewelers’ key to growth this year.
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
IndependentsJan 13, 2026
Orr’s Jewelers Opens New Location in Pittsburgh’s Strip DistrictThe family-owned jeweler’s new space is in a former wholesale produce market.
CrimeJan 13, 2026
Alleged Getaway Driver Charged in Florida Jewelry Store RobberyIvel Sanchez Rivera, 52, has been arrested and charged in connection with the armed robbery of Tio Jewelers in Cape Coral, Florida.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingJan 13, 2026
Rio Grande To Offer Calibrated Diamond MeleeThe supplier’s online program allows customers to search and buy calibrated natural and lab-grown diamond melee, including in fancy shapes.
Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJan 12, 2026
Platinum, White Gold Rule the 2026 Golden GlobesAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite jewelry moments from the Golden Globes, and they are (mostly) white hot.
GradingJan 12, 2026
Peter Yantzer, Former Executive Director of AGS Labs, Dies at 77 Yantzer is remembered for the profound influence he had on diamond cut grading as well as his contagious smile and quick wit.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
MajorsJan 12, 2026
These 14 Macy’s Locations Will Close This YearThe store closures are part of the retailer’s “Bold New Chapter” turnaround plan.
MajorsJan 12, 2026
Jewelers Mutual Acquires AI-Powered Event Insurance ProgramThrough EventGuard, the company will offer event liability and cancellation insurance, including wedding coverage.
MajorsJan 09, 2026
Kendra Scott Taps Activewear Exec as CEO Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
SurveysJan 09, 2026
U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Up 4%, Visa, Mastercard SayThe credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.
AuctionsJan 09, 2026
Christie’s Names New Global Managing Director for LuxuryKimberly Miller has been promoted to the role.
CollectionsJan 09, 2026
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s ‘Serenity’ Opal CharmThe “Serenity” charm set with 13 opals is a modern amulet offering protection, guidance, and intention, the brand said.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlFootage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
