SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
Events & AwardsMar 28, 2018
IAC’s Gold Conference Returns Next Month
The final speaker schedule has been set for “Gold: Vortex, Virtues, and Values,” happening April 12 and 13 in New York City.
Jewelry designer Wendy Brandes will be a part of two panel discussions at the upcoming gold conference in New York—“A Rising Tide: Women and the Jewelry Industry” and “Who’s Got the Power? Influencers, Ethics, and the Regulation of Social Media.” Pictured here is a ring Brandes designed featuring yellow, white and black diamonds and rubies set in 18-karat gold.
New York--Initiatives in Art & Culture has released the final schedule for its eighth annual gold conference happening next month.
The event is slated for April 12 and 13 and this year will be held at a new location in New York City: Bohemian National Hall.
“Gold: Vortex, Virtues, and Values” will explore a range of topics relating to the precious metal, from responsible business practices in the global supply chain to new trends in jewelry manufacturing, design and apprenticeship.
It also will cover social media and government and legal affairs, as well as presentations by some of goldsmithing’s top artists.
Some of the highlights of the first day include “Valuing Gold in an Age of Uncertainty” from Jeffrey Christian, founder and managing director of CPM Group; and “Moda Operandi: A New Business Model for Jewelry,” featuring CEO Deborah Nicodemus and Mickey Alam Khan, founder and editor-in-chief of Luxury Daily.
It also will include a panel on “Sustainable Beauty: The Pursuit of Ethical Jewelry,” “Blockchain Technology is Here,” and a panel discussion on “A Rising Tide: Women and the Jewelry Industry.”
Highlights of the second day of the event include a panel called, “Full Steam Ahead: The Journey Towards Ethical Sourcing, Transparency, and Responsible Practice” from a number of industry experts on the topic; “Artistry and Variety: The Glories of Enamel,” featuring Jane Short, enameller and creator of the Millennium Bowl for the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in London; and a panel on “Cultivating and Perpetuating Old World Skills” from a number of jewelers, designers and goldsmiths.
Attendees of the event also will be able to purchase books related to gold and jewelry—and get them signed—during conference breaks.
“Each year, the IAC Gold conference stands out as the premier event for all things gold. The breadth of the 2018 offering and depth of experience of the presenters is without compare,” said Richline Group CMO Mark Hanna, who will be a part of the blockchain conversation.
“From looking at value, both intrinsic and emotional, to challenging the sources and uses from an ethical and responsible perspective, to exploring design with the masters, to educating and engaging the gold consumer, this event sets the standard. It should be on everyone's calendar.”
For more information, the full schedule or to buy tickets to the event, visit ArtInitiatives.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
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.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
