The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
AGA Opens Registration for 2021 Virtual Conference
Details about the four sessions over the two-day event are also now available.
San Diego—The Accredited Gemologists Association has opened registration for its virtual conference next month.
Following the news it would postpone its 2021 Bonanno Award, the AGA said it would also take its annual Tucson conference digital given the ongoing pandemic.
The event is scheduled for Feb. 16 and 17, with four gemological sessions over two days, each day running from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST.
The first day, Tuesday, Feb. 16, will feature sessions from Wim Vertriest and Dr. Tao Hsu sharing first-hand accounts of attending Myanmar’s annual trading emporium for gems, and Jon Philips with a global update on the diamond marketplace.
The following day will have Billie Hughes presenting results of experimental heat treatments of corundum and Dr. Peter Lyckberg providing insight into gem pegmatites and their related gemology.
Anyone who is interested can now register for the event, either for both days ($50) or single-day sessions ($35 each).
The AGA said it will provide access to recorded presentations to members who have registered and paid in advance.
“We are excited to host the 2021 AGA Virtual Conference with a slate of international presenters who will deliver the top-notch gemological education experience that our members and the industry have come to expect from AGA conferences,” said Dr. Ciğdem Lüle, AGA Conference Committee co-chair.
“Until we can meet again, AGA remains committed to providing educational opportunities to our members and gem enthusiasts who share our passion for everything gemology. We sincerely hope you will join us and bring a friend.”
The Latest

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.


The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

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

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.

The $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.

























