Our Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
Jewelry Independent Summit Returning in February
The third conference will be held in New York on Feb. 3, taking on a new format of one-on-one discussions between moderator and expert.

New York—The Jewelry Independent Summit will be back in New York in two months.
The jewelry event is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 3. (The exact location is disclosed to registrants only.)
While the educational summit is open to everyone in the industry, its main goal is to provide insight and support for designers to develop marketable and profitable businesses.
February’s event will serve as a “curated crash-course in all things jewelry” for those considering working in or who are already working in the industry, organizers said.
Every summit features experts from a range of backgrounds who take a deep dive into relevant topics like social media, sales, accounting and branding.
But rather than the group panels that have been featured in years past, this year’s summit will take on a new format with one-on-one discussions, whereby each speaker will be interviewed by a moderator and have an opportunity to share their individual expertise. They also will have the opportunity to answer questions from audience members and those streaming the summit remotely.
Organizers said the goal of the format change is for each speaker to be able to leave a larger impression on the audience by highlighting their specific skillset and expertise within the industry.
This installment will feature jewelry designer Polly Wales, Gem Jewelry Boutique owner Laura Kitsos, jewelry photographer Alain Simic, jewelry designer Sofia Ajram, Accounting for Jewelers founder Mariel Diaz, author and journalist Beth Bernstein, Barneys New York Associate Fine Jewelry Buyer John Massad, graduate gemologst and social media expert Benjamin Guttery and many more.
Attendees will have the opportunity to network with the speakers during the event.
There is a streaming option available for those who can’t attend the summit in person, launched with last year’s event.
This option allows registrants to tune in live or after the summit, and watch and rewind as many times as they would like for up to 30 days after the event. (In-person attendees receive a link to re-watch as well.)
This is the third time the Jewelry Independent Summit has been held.
Past speakers include designer Jade Trau, Barneys Senior Fine Jewelry Buyer Gurki Basra and T: The New York Times Style Magazine Senior Market Editor Angela Koh, among others.
Tickets for the Feb. 3 event can be purchased on its website. (Use code SUMMIT24 for a discount.)
Editor’s note: This story was updated post-publication to reflect correct
The Latest

The 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.

Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.


McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.

The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.

With refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.

The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.

The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.

Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.

The collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.

In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

The group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.

The retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.

The award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.

The “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.

The unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.

Bulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.

Awards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.

The top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.

Moses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.

Increased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.

The earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.

“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.

Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.






















