IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
Events & AwardsApr 08, 2020
Virtual AGS Conclave Set for Late April
It’s free for American Gem Society members and will include a video dance party.
The American Gem Society’s virtual Conclave event is scheduled for Monday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 28. It is sponsored by Jewelers Mutual, the Gemological Institute of America, and Wells Fargo.
Las Vegas—The American Gem Society will hold a two-day, online-only version of Conclave later this month, the organization announced late last week.
“Engage. Connect. Learn: A Virtual Conclave Experience” kicks off at 9 a.m. PST on Monday, April 27 with “Corporate Social Responsibility: How Giving Back Adds Up,” and continues through the afternoon on April 28.
Sessions include “2020 Design Trends: What’s Hot and What’s Coming!” (April 27, 12:30 p.m. PST), which features National Jeweler Senior Editor Ashley Davis; “How to Navigate the Retail Space in a Changing Business Climate” (April 28 at 9 a.m. PST); and “Gen Z: Who Are They and What Makes Them Tick, Click and Buy?” (April 28 at 11:25 a.m. PST).
Virtual Conclave is free and open to all AGS members.
The sessions are all one-hour long and pre-recorded. During the session, the panelists will tune in live to answer attendees’ questions in the chat.
Attendees also will be able to chat and share ideas with each other.
Toward the end of the conference, AGS will hold a virtual dance party.
Prior to Virtual Conclave, AGS is asking members to film themselves dancing to David Bowie’s “Modern Love” and then send the clips to AGS, which will be creating a supercut, of sorts, of its members’ moves.
The online dance party is an alternative to the organization’s annual President’s Party. A Bowie song was chosen in homage to the 2020 President’s Party theme, which was ‘80s Ski Chalet. (AGS did a poll using songs from the movie “Hot Tub Time Machine,” and “Modern Love” was the winner.)
Matchbox Virtual Media, a producer of virtual events, is streaming Virtual Conclave in partnership with Austin, Texas-based tech company CE21. It is recommended attendees use Google Chrome to stream the conference.
For a full lineup and to register, visit AGS.org/VirtualConclave, and please note that all times provided are Pacific time.
Originally, Conclave was scheduled for April 27 to 29 in Denver but, like myriad events, was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. AGS announced plans for a virtual event when it made the decision to call off Conclave last month.
AGS Conclave 2021 is set for April 26-28 in Louisville, Kentucky.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
