The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
AGS Conclave Becomes the Latest Industry Event to Be Canceled
The American Gem Society said it might replace its annual signature gathering with a virtual mini-conference later this year.
Las Vegas—AGS Conclave 2020 has been called off, the American Gem Society said in a statement released Monday night.
“Conclave is more than an event; it’s an experience,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of AGS and AGS Laboratories.
“We are tremendously saddened by our decision, but we saw no other choice. The health of our members is a priority.”
The annual gathering, the AGS’s signature event, was scheduled to take place from April 27 to 29 in Denver.
AGS said it’s looking into holding a virtual mini-conference later this year, and it will beef up its online learning center, the AGS PRO, to further help members.
It also announced the location and dates for Conclave 2021—it’s scheduled to take place in Louisville, Kentucky, from April 26 to 28 at the Omni Louisville Hotel.
“If there is a silver lining to any of this, it’s that we get to announce our 2021 plans sooner. We are thrilled to be heading to Louisville next year,” said Alexis Padis, chair of the Conclave Subcommittee.
“What’s especially exciting is that Conclave will take place right before the Kentucky Derby, which will add to an already exceptional week.”
Conclave is the latest in a line of jewelry industry events to be canceled or postponed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced nonessential businesses across the United States—and worldwide—to temporarily close in an effort to curb the spread of the disease.
President Donald Trump declared a national emergency Friday, and in Denver, this year’s Conclave host city, officials issued a public order Sunday recommending gatherings of 50 people or more be postponed or canceled for the next eight weeks, per the CDC’s recently revised guidelines, KDVR reports.
Restaurants and bars in Denver are also closed.
According to the World Health Organization, there were 167,515 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide as of Monday, including 1,678 in the United States.
The Latest

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

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.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.


The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

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

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.

GemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.

The 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.

Aging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.

The WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.

A longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.

The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

The platinum and diamond watch is part of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale.

Recovered in Mozambique, “The Kat Florence Lumina” was part of Bonhams’ Hong Kong jewelry auction held last week.

Get a taste of the delicious candy-like gemstones in this Amanda’s Style File.

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

From Lau’s “Love of a Kind” series, the engagement ring was inspired by the moon and holds a different meaning depending on how it is worn.

The lab has adjusted the scale it uses for nacre grading.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

David Walton will serve three years’ probation after an incident in a hotel bar led to the death of West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger.

The retailer also provided an update on how the tariffs situation in the U.S. is affecting its business.

The family-owned jeweler in Great Falls, Virginia, will be celebrating its golden jubilee with a year’s worth of events.

This year’s edition includes articles on the favorite tools of notable designers, evaluating when to outsource production, and more.

The jeweler’s high jewelry collection features extraordinary gemstones, like a 241.06-carat emerald and the world’s fourth-largest spinel.