Sponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
Jewelry Industry Summit Announces 2017 Speakers and Sessions
The summit will take place in Tucson, Arizona on Jan. 29 and 30 to facilitate conversations on sustainable and responsible sourcing.
Tucson, Ariz.--The Jewelry Industry Summit has announced its speakers, agenda and sponsors for its second event on Jan. 29 and 30 at the Tucson Convention Center.
The summit is broken down into morning and afternoon sessions.
On Sunday, Jan. 29, following the “Strengths, Opportunities and Aspirations” workshop, Lisa Manley, executive vice president, sustainability strategy and communications at Cone Communications, will speak to attendees. Cone Communications is a public relations and marketing agency, known for its studies on consumer expectations of responsible business.
The afternoon session will feature speaker Thea Polancic, managing partner of Chicago-based consulting firm ClearSpace LLC and founder of the Chicago chapter of Conscious Capitalism, an organization that focuses on voluntary exchange and entrepreneurship, and marrying these capitalist principals with trust and compassion.
This session also will encompass two workshops: “Imagining the Future of Industry Segments” and “Identifying Key Elements of a Sustainable Future.”
The morning and afternoon session on day one will be broken up with a lunch and a reception will follow the second session.
During the reception, 20 posters will discuss responsible sourcing, with a representative from each poster’s organization present to answer questions. (To participate in this, contact Richard Nehls at richard@la-rocks.com. The deadline is Jan. 23.)
On the second day of the summit, Monday, Jan. 30, the morning session will begin with speaker Bob Mitchell, vice president of social and environmental responsibility for the Electronics Industry Citizen Coalition, then will progress to workshops on “Identifying Possibilities to Support Sustainability by Industry Segment” and “Exploring Possibilities to Support Sustainability.”
The afternoon session will include discussions on “Prototyping Tools, Strategies, and Initiatives,” “Rapid Stress Testing of Prototypes,” and “Refine, Redesign, and Plan for Prototypes.”
Sponsors for the second Jewelry Industry Summit are: Jeff Bilgore, American Gem Trade Association/Jeffrey Bilgore LLC; Cecilia Gardner, Jewelers Vigilance Committee; Cleo Zancope Gnatek, Jane Taylor Jewelry; Doug Hucker, AGTA; Christina Miller, Christina Tatiana Miller Consulting; Richard Nehls, LA Rocks; Mike Pace, Diamond Producers Association; Sam Shiroff, Signet Jewelers; and Barbara Wheat, Gemalytics LLC/Natural Colored Diamond Association.
The summit was created to facilitate conversations between all facets of the jewelry industry on sustainable and responsible sourcing.
Cost of attendance for the 2017 event is $275, which includes lunch on both days, coffee breaks and the Sunday night reception. To register, go to JewelryIndustrySummit.com.
The Latest

Cloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.

Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.


The “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.

Museum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.

The retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.

“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.

The Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.

Onyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.

Solomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.

Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.

The new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.

Four men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.

André Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.

New York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.

Santana Now's debut collection, “Unidad,” features symbolic motifs as well as pieces of wood from the Woodstock stage.

The 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.

The watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.

The new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.

While some August babies are team peridot, the month's time-honored birthstone, others are team spinel, the newer alternative.

Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.

The massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.

The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.























