This year’s Design Atelier is full of gems.
JA Moves Its National Convention Online
Originally slated for New York in July, it will now take place May 26 through 28.

New York—Jewelers of America has moved its second annual national convention online.
The JA Virtual National Convention is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 through Thursday, May 28, the trade organization announced Tuesday.
The online-only event will include many of the same presentations already planned for the in-person event, which was supposed to take place in New York in July but ultimately was canceled due to uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
JA will welcome back to the (virtual) stage political forecaster Charlie Cook, editor and publisher of the Cook Political Report.
Cook, who delivered his political prognostications at the inaugural JA National Convention last year, will again share his non-partisan and expert take on what may be one of the most critical and contentious election seasons ever.
Other session topics include: omnichannel marketing, social media, security, investment trends, and retail evolution.
“COVID-19 has completely shifted the way our industry is having to operate,” JA President CEO David J. Bonaparte said in a release announcing the virtual event.
“The decision to transition our National Convention to virtual was not an easy one to make. However, the education we had planned is extremely important for our members and we felt it was best to push the convention up to May with the hopes that business will be in full swing as soon as possible and retailers can focus entirely on their clients and stores.”
Cook’s session is one of eight planned for the three-day convention.
It will be free for all JA members to attend. Non-members can take advantage of JA’s limited-time free membership offer to gain access to the virtual event.
A full schedule and registration details will be announced shortly.
To learn more about the Jewelers of America Virtual National Convention, visit Jewelers.org.
National Jeweler is a for-profit subsidiary of Jewelers of America, which purchased the publication in 2015. The two organizations act independently of each other.
The Latest

They’re a testament to the power of excellent design.

This year’s honorees include one of Florida’s largest independent jewelers and two multi-store independents in the Chicago and New York areas.

The most trusted diamond report, available in print or the GIA App.

The industry’s most influential contemporary designers are showcasing their latest jewelry designs.


Created by Maitri Lab-Grown Diamonds and graded by IGI, it’s slightly bigger than the record-setting lab-grown diamond GIA just examined.

The marketing agency has integrated its first C-suite.

Navigate origin determination with Continuing Education seminars offered by the GIA Alumni Collective™.

Luxury kicks off today, with the full show in swing on Friday.

One of the three new collections was inspired by the legend of a woman who traded her mansion to Cartier for two strands of natural pearls.

Rob Ballew will be tasked with communicating the jewelry giant’s plans and financial performance to investors.

With the app, customers receive a 15-day insurance offer on new purchases while their coverage needs are being evaluated.

It is in House of Showfields, a bazaar-style retail space in the borough’s Williamsburg neighborhood.

Signature pieces from Cartier and David Webb will appear in the June jewelry auction.

They will be celebrated at the annual dinner dance and gala in the fall.

Gemologists have long used machines in diamond grading but technology has made it possible for them to “learn” how to do it on their own.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by IGI

Watch retailers Jeffery Bolling and Bobby Bengivengo discuss employee training, customer education and the sticky subject of future value.

The company has plans to revamp the Movado brand and offer less expensive watches this year.

Set with a 118-carat unheated Sri Lankan sapphire, it just sold for $3.4 million at Phillips jewelry auction in Hong Kong.

Sponsored by Noam Carver

As cybercrime incidents threaten the industry, jewelers need to know what they’re up against and the best ways to protect their businesses.

The Pittsburgh jeweler is redoing the lighting and showcases, and adding a full hospitality bar as well as new shop-in-shops.

The Yurman Family Crystalline Pass is inside the museum’s brand-new Richard Gilder Center.

Zale has more than 40 years’ experience in the diamond industry, including 17 years as Stuller’s VP of diamonds and gemstones procurement.

The Strip is full of new restaurant and entertainment offerings.

National Jeweler’s senior editor covering fashion, trends, and design highlights the latest looks in the market.