CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2019
5 Sessions to Check Out at AGTA GemFair Tucson
They cover market trends, legal issues and more.
New York—The cases upon cases of loose gemstones and jewelry are what bring buyers to the AGTA’s GemFair in Tucson, but there’s much more going on than just selling and buying to keep them there.
During the trade show, which runs from Feb. 5 to 10, the AGTA will host a number of free seminars for the trade, covering legal issues, mine “tours," trends in the market and new techniques and research.
Here are 5 education sessions not to miss. For the full lineup, visit AGTA.org.
1. “Introducing Hyperion: Lotus Gemology’s Inclusion Database”
Wednesday, Feb. 6 from 1-2 p.m.
Graham Room
Lotus Gemology’s Billie Hughes will delve into the lab’s Hyperion inclusions database, a searchable database featuring more than 900 photomicrographs. In this session, Hughes will talk about how the databse got started and the different ways it can be used to identify gems, separate natural from lab-grown, spot treatments and distinguish between different origins.
2. “Market Trends and the Impact of Important Gem Sourcing Considerations”
Thursday, Feb. 7 from 9-10 a.m.
Maricopa Room
This year’s edition of the talk from GemWorld International President Richard Drucker and Vice President Stuart Robertson will focus on the impact of source on gemstones as well as how prices are affected during the Tucson gem show and the year overall.
3. “USPAP Compliance with Colored Gemstones”
Friday, Feb. 8 from 9-10 a.m.
Graham Room
David Rotenberg, owner and president of David Craig Jewelers in Pennsylvania, who has extensive experience as a Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) compliance appraiser, will discuss USPAP compliance as it pertains to the colored gemstone industry. Topics covered will include the USPAP application for specific types of gems and jewelry, USPAP’s intended uses and definitions of value.
4. “Creating a Transparent Chain of Custody and Traditional Gemstone Identification Methods Used at the Source”
Friday, Feb. 8 from 1-2 p.m.
Maricopa Room
Sheahan Stephan of Sheahan Stephen Sapphires will talk to attendees about how to create greater transparency and control in their supply chain, empower relationships with their suppliers and better communicate with customers through traditional gemstone identification methods and knowledge. The session will demonstrate what a transparent chain of custody looks like, address the steps needed to properly disclose the source of a stone and, through a hands-on lab, show how traditional gemstone identification at the mine can help strengthen the awareness of the sourcing process.
5. “Color Perception in Gemology”
Saturday, Feb. 9 from 9-10 a.m.
Maricopa Room
Since color
is arguably the most important grading factor for colored stones and there are endless discussions around perception of color and how to observe it and name it, Çiğdem Lüle, gemologist and owner of Kybele LLC, will use this talk to delve into color science, cultural aspects of color perception, observation of color and color terminology of gems with examples from the current gem market.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London 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.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
