In a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
Designer Zoltan David to Keynote Portland Jewelry Symposium
The two-day event is back Sept. 29 and 30.

Portland, Oregon—This year’s Portland Jewelry Symposium is all about metal and machinery.
The official theme of the two-day event, happening Sept. 29 and 30 at the Sentinel Hotel in Portland, Oregon, is “Metals—Methods, Machines and Mastery.”
Teresa Frye, founder of the Portland Jewelry Symposium, said in a press release: “Understanding and exploiting the intrinsic characteristics of a metal, whether through design, casting methods or tailored bench techniques, is very powerful for makers.
“The design pallet becomes broader when one can harness not only the aesthetic property of an alloy but also the technical underpinnings that lead to the production of a high-quality piece.”
Sunday, Sept. 29 will feature afternoon breakout sessions—new to the event this year—on topics including Jewelry Forensics, Basic Metallurgy for Jewelers, Legal Considerations for Custom Design and Inlay Techniques.
Award-winning jewelry designer Zoltan David will provide the Sunday evening keynote, speaking on his inspirations and how he practically applies them to his art.
“Zoltan is a true master of designing and creating in diverse metals and we are thrilled to have him delivering the keynote this year,” Frye said.
The program for Monday, Sept. 30 will cover manufacturing techniques in contemporary metals, a panel on jewelry casting, and a business and finance presentation, among other educational sessions.
The complete speaker lineup is online.
Contact Sarah Loveland for more information at sloveland@techformcasting.com or 503-320-1873.
The Latest

The “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.

The jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.


The jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.

A matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Sponsored by A Diamond Is Forever

The next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.

It was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.

While the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.

Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.

Reena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.

Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.

The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

























