Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
