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.
WJA Announces Virtual Awards for Excellence Speakers
They include a diversity consultant.

New York—The Women’s Jewelry Association has announced the lineup of speakers for its upcoming virtual Awards for Excellence.
Happening July 27 at 7 p.m. EDT, two keynote speakers will talk business transformation, managing change, and purpose, WJA said in a press release.
Jim Hemerling comes from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), while Dolly Meese comes from one of its companies, Brighthouse, a global creative consultancy.
Hemerling is a senior partner, managing director and fellow at BCG.
The author of several books and with interviews in publications like Bloomberg Businessweek, Fortune and Forbes, Hemerling works with clients in the technology, consumer, financial and manufacturing sectors on "transformation" to deliver breakthrough performances.
Meese specializes in helping organizations uncover their purpose to grow employees, profits and social impact. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies around the world and coauthored a book with Hemerling. She also contributed to a paper called “The Rewards of an Engaged Female Workforce.”
Both keynote speakers boast more than 20 years of experience in their fields.
“Jim’s and Dolly’s keynotes will explain how businesses can move confidently into a future that’s rapidly evolving,” WJA President Jennifer Markas said.
“As Jim notes, these times require agility and flexibility, but asking employees to constantly adapt can take a toll if company leaders don’t inspire and empower them. Dolly’s presentation will take a deep dive into the importance of underscoring a company’s purpose as a ‘North Star’ to help teams focus on what’s constant amid a sea of change.”
The event will also feature sessions on diversity and mentorship, WJA said.
Nicole Taylor, a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant and director of the international women’s nonprofit Changemaker Chats will be interviewed live on the difference between equality, equity and inclusion, the dimensions of racism and tools for being a better listener.
Event sponsors for the virtual Awards for Excellence include the Natural Diamond Council, Boston Consulting Group, Citizen, Forevermark and Jewelers of America.
To register for Awards for Excellence, visit the WJA website.
To become a sponsor, contact WJA’s Markas at jennifer@womensjewelryassociation.com.
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.

























