EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
Events & AwardsApr 27, 2016
Van Cleef Archivist to Speak at Jewelry Conference
Cynthia Prasnal is scheduled to present a history of Van Cleef & Arpels and her work there at the Northwest Jewelry Conference in August.
Seattle--Attendees of this year’s Northwest Jewelry Conference (NWJC) will be treated to a history lesson on renowned jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels.
Each year the conference, which is in its fourth year, showcases a major jewelry house selected by conference participants. This year they picked Van Cleef & Arpels and will have Cynthia Prasnal, the brand’s archivist and heritage director, present a history of the company and her work there.
Six other instructors will join Prasnal to speak about period jewelry at the NWJC, which is scheduled to take place Aug. 12 to 14 in Seattle.
It will start Friday evening with a meet-and-greet reception followed by the first session--Bats, Bad Dreams and Damsels in Distress: The Darker Side of René Lalique’s Jewelry by jewelry historian Stefanie Walker.
Other sessions include Gemworld International’s Cigdem Lule sharing her ongoing archaeogemological research on Garnets--Treasured Gem of the Ancients and Walker’s Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewelry.
Diana Singer of D&E Singer will look at Another Place and Time: The Roaring Twenties, blending politics, society, architecture and fashion with the Art Deco jewelry style.
Meanwhile, Peter Shemonsky, owner of Peter Jon Shemonsky, will appear at the NWJC for the fourth time, giving two presentations this year--Wiener Werkstätte and Secessionist Jewelry will look at the Vienna movement that transformed all art forms at the turn of the 20th century, while Maker’s Marks, Truths and Deceptions will expose fraudulent marks in period jewelry.
Stone of Heaven--Defining Jade with Jeff Mason of Mason-Kay will be an extensive workshop designed to study the unique characteristics of jade and their application in valuation.
Lastly, master diamond cutter Brian McHardy will lead a hands-on workshop to explore the process of diamond cutting from antiquity to present day in At the Wheel--How to Really Cut a Diamond, including an actual cutting workshop to take students from the examination of the rough crystal to executing the craft with the right equipment.
A new venue has been selected for the event; this year, it will be held at Cedarbrook Lodge, which is close to Sea-Tac airport and sits on 18 acres of restored wetlands.
Tuition costs $695 and includes all sessions, the Friday night reception, a full day Saturday with breakfast and lunch and a short day on Sunday, with breakfast and lunch followed by the after-party.
For more information or to register, call 425-455-0985 or visit the Northwest Jewelry Conference website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
