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 & 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
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.
