Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Jewelers for Children ‘Rings of Strength’ Happening in May
The annual 5K walk, run or bike ride for charity is now in its sixth year.

Las Vegas--Jewelers for Children’s annual “Rings of Strength” fundraiser is back for its sixth edition.
Held during the Las Vegas trade shows, this year it will take place Thursday, May 31 at Mandalay Bay Resort Casino.
The event comprises a 5K walk or run, a more challenging bike ride in the foothills of the Red Rock Valley or a street-level bike ride. In total, Rings of Strength has raised $300,000 since it began.
Registration is now open to participate in the race. Upon sign-up, participants are able to create their own fundraising page and URL, which allows sharing among friends and acquaintances who can sponsor their loved ones. Participants can sign up as individuals or even create a team page with friends and co-workers.
JCK Events is the major event sponsor and Ashi Diamonds, Freeman and CMAC have also signed on for sponsorships. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.
The race begins at 5:30 a.m. to avoid the Las Vegas heat and rest stops will be posted throughout the courses.
All money raised will benefit JFC’s charity partners.
Rings of Strength is named for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patients Maggie and Odie. Maggie spoke at the Facets of Hope event in 2012, and told the story of giving Odie a ring engraved with the word “strength” as they fought cancer.
Ashi Diamonds is sponsoring a silver ring like Maggie and Odie’s for each race participant.
Since JFC’s inception in 1999 it has donated more than $53 million to programs benefiting children in need, through partners St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Make-A-Wish America, and the National CASA Association. JFC also provides support to Make-A-Wish International, and the Santa-America Fund.
The Latest

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.


The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.

To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

The gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.

Founder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.

If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.

The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

Gizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.

Luca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.

Following visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.

The “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.

The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.

The New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.

Take a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.

The one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.

The California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.

Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.