CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsMar 22, 2019
Ninth IAC Gold Conference Returns to NYC Next Month
“Gold: Legacy, Leadership, Luminescence” is slated for April 4 and 5 at the Bohemian National Hall in Manhattan.
On April 4, following the first day of its gold conference, Initiatives in Art and Culture will hold a champagne reception and a conversation with jewelry designer Mimi So. Pictured here is So’s Wonderland Bunny ring with sapphires and hand-carved opal in 18-karat yellow gold.
New York—Initiatives in Art and Culture’s ninth annual conference around the topic of gold is returning to New York next month.
The two-day event will bring together experts, from across various fields related to the precious metal, from journalists and jewelry designers to environmentalists and government regulators, to discuss the current challenges faced by gold and its surrounding industries.
“Gold: Legacy, Leadership, Luminescence” is slated for Thursday, April 4 and Friday, April 5 at the Bohemian National Hall in New York City.
The event will feature opening remarks from Richline Group Chief Marketing Officer Mark Hanna. Jewelry designer Stephen Webster also will speak about his admiration for gold in “Goldstruck,” discussing his design process and career.
Representing the manufacturing end will be Ted Doudak, founder and CEO of Riva Precision Manufacturing, who will share his vision for the company as a leader in fine jewelry product development.
IAC also will highlight Brooklyn jewelers in a panel called “Made and Makers in Brooklyn, and the Parallel Consumer and Creator Paradigm Shift,” offering various perspectives for creating and marketing to an audience that is “following the borough’s signature aesthetic.”
It will feature Alisha Blechman, head of studio operations for Catbird; Beth Bugdaycay, co-founder and creative director of Foundrae; Riva’s Doudak; Leigh Plessner, co-creative director, of Catbird; Ronny Vardi, owner of Catbird; and Elle Hill, CEO of Hill & Co. Fine Jewelry Launch and Growth Experts.
Another panel titled “Washington Update” will delve into regulations and legislation relating to gold.
It will be moderated by Andrea Hill of Hill Management Group. Panelists are Richlines’ Hanna; Linus Drogs, owner and president of Au Enterprises; Elizabeth Orlando, economic officer in the Bureau of Economic Affairs, Office of Threat Finance and Countermeasures at the U.S. Department of State; and Tiffany Stevens, president and CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
The event also will address one of the industry’s hottest topics—sustainability—through a sourcing panel called “Building Blocks for our Future: The Foundations of Ethical Sourcing, Transparency, and Responsible Practice.”
It will be moderated by JCK News Editor Rob Bates. Panelists include Brad Brooks-Rubin, managing Director of The Sentry/Enough Project; Lara Koritzke, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA); and Joanne Lebert, executive director of Impact; among a few others.
On Thursday evening, following the first day of the conference, IAC will host a champagne reception followed by a conversation with Mimi So about being
an American jewelry designer and the luxury segment today.
For the gold conference’s full schedule, visit ArtInitiatives.com.
“We often equate gold to wealth,” Richline’s Hanna said. “The Gold Conference always has and always will provide the wealth of information important to gold, in every dimension—from resource to responsible.”
Tickets for the gold conference are priced at $350, or $100 for students with a valid ID. Single-day tickets also are available by contacting the IAC.
To register, visit the conference’s Eventbrite page.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
