Events & Awards

11 Events Not to Miss in Nashville

Events & AwardsApr 19, 2018

11 Events Not to Miss in Nashville

AGS Conclave kicks off Monday in Tennessee. Here are (almost all) the fun things planned.

2018_Conclave-logo.jpg

Nashville, Tenn.--American Gem Society Conclave kicks off Monday in Nashville, Tenn.

Aside from the keynote speakers, who are led by opener Marie Osmond, here are 11 happenings not to be missed in Music City.

Monday, April 23
Free Headshots All Day
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Networking Area
The Platinum Guild International and the AGS Young Titleholders are offering free professional pictures all day on the first day of Conclave.

The Power of Brand Building with Kathy Ireland
Kathy Ireland
10:15-11:15 a.m.
The model-turned-entrepreneur launched her own brand, Kathy Ireland Worldwide, in 1993 and is listed by License Global Magazine as one of the 19 most influential women in licensing worldwide. Her empire includes a line of jewelry, Diamonds by Kathy Ireland.

Cybersecurity: How to Be Prepared for an Attack
Bill Gunckel, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group
10:15-11:15 a.m.

It’s not necessarily a fun topic but it’s important and timely. The Jewelers Security Alliance’s 2017 report noted a spike in cybercrime in the jewelry industry, and a number of major corporations have been the target of hackers, most recently Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor.

The Tao of Change: Flexibility, Reaction and Persistence
Joel Zeff
3:30-5 p.m.

Zeff is returning as Conclave emcee and is presenting a late-afternoon session that will use “dynamic interactive skits” to discuss controlling emotions in the face of change and not giving up.

Trivia Night
9:15-11:15 p.m.
The Rotunda Room at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Another function of the AGS Young Titleholders, trivia night includes food and drink as well as questions ranging from gemology to facts about Nashville.

Tuesday, April 24
Titleholders Luncheon
1-2:30 p.m.
Sleep in after trivia night and re-join the crowd at the Titleholders Luncheon. An annual event, this lunch is where the AGS announces the winners of the Sallie Morton, John J. Kennedy, Guild of the Year and Young Titleholder awards.

From Bombshells to Bling: Jewels of the 1940s & 1950s
Gina D’Onofrio, Heritage Auctions
3-4:30 p.m.

D’Onofrio’s session will help attendees comfortably date jewelry crafted in the retro and mid-century modern periods by comparing and contrasting the designs created from World War II through the post-war boom of the ‘50s.

Too Old to Start Over But Too Young to Retire? Strategies to Balance Risk and Reward Amid Constant Change
Hedda Schupak, The Centurion Newsletter
4:15-5:15 p.m.

An editor and analyst working

in the fine jewelry industry for 31 years, Schupak will give her analysis on the challenges facing retailers today—aging baby boomers, keeping up with technology, millennial indifference, etc.—and provide advice they can apply now.

Wednesday, April 25
Intellectual Property Laws for Jewelers
Sara Yood, senior counsel, Jewelers Vigilance Committee
10:15-11:15 a.m.

Intellectual property law covers areas like trademark, patent and copyright. In this session, JVC Senior Counsel Yood will teach attendees the differences among them, what can be protected and how they can be applied in the jewelry industry.

Robert M. Shipley Award Luncheon
1-2:30 p.m.

Another Conclave staple, the last luncheon of the three-day conference features the presentation of the AGS’s highest honor. Last year’s winner was Pennsylvania jeweler Cathy Calhoun.

President’s Party
6:30-9:30 p.m.

The event’s annual closer, the party is always organized by the current AGS president—this year, that is Scott Berg—and the theme plays off the host city. So for this year, we’re thinking it’s going to be all about country music.

American Gem Society Conclave is scheduled to take place Monday, April 23 to Wednesday, April 25 in Nashville.

For a complete list of events and education sessions, take a look at the online program.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Madison Keys in Brilliant Earth campaign
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New Ambassador

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

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

Shree Ramkrishna Exports
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-Negative

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

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

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Bernadette Mack
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive Director

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Mindi Mond Spike Earrings
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot Rubies

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

The Jewelry Book
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

Gemist
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech Platform

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Jeff Preolo, David Stout, Levi Higgs, David Benavides
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, Promotions

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

Blake Graham and Jessica Kohoutek
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

Buddha Mama Monstera Ring
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap Ring

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Cashier handing Rocksbox bag to customer
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers Downsizes

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

Penny Ruston
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

Stock image of woman shopping
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy