SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
OtherJul 10, 2014
Titanic jewelry among topics for Gem-A conference
The Gemmological Association of Great Britain has confirmed 13 speakers for its upcoming annual conference, which will include a presentation on the jewels recovered from the wreck of the famed RMS Titanic.
London--The Gemmological Association of Great Britain has confirmed 13 speakers for its upcoming annual conference, which will include a presentation on the jewels recovered from the wreck of the famed RMS Titanic.
Gem-A’s annual conference is scheduled for Nov. 1 to 4, returning to the former Royal Agricultural Hall in London, now known as the Business Design Centre, as it changes its program to make it more interactive for members.
There, the organization will welcome a number of speakers from across the globe to provide the most innovative and relevant gem-related topics, Gem-A said.
The speakers confirmed for the conference is as follows.
Saturday, Nov. 1
Bruce Bridges; “The History of Tsavorite and Legacy of Campbell Bridges”
Edward Boehm; “Analyzing Gems on the Go: Tips from the Field”
Thomas Hainschwang, FGA; “The Challenges Faced by Green to Greenish Blue Diamonds Colored by Natural or Artificial Irradiation”
Alan Hart, FGA DGA
Ulrich Henn; “The Different Types of Moonstone”
Brian Cook; “Paraiba Tourmaline: An Update. Bahia Golden Rutilated Quartz: The Introduction”
Vincent Pardieu; “From Jedi to Windex: A Quest to the Origins of the Ultimate Red and Blue Spinels”
Sunday, Nov. 2
Craig Lynch, GG; “The Recovered Jewelry of the Titanic”
Chris Smith, FGA; “Ruby and Sapphire Source-Type Classification: An Objective Approach to Help Make Country of Origin Determinations More Consistent”
Terry Coldham; “Australian Sapphire--A Forgotten Foundation Stone of Thailand’s Gemstone Industry”
Menahem Sevdermish, FGA; “Further Developments into Digital Color Analysis, Grading, Pricing, and Trading of Gems”
Richard Hughes, FGA
Laurent Cartier, FGA; “An Update on Worldwide Cultured Pearl Production”
Monday, Nov. 3
Mikko Åström, FGA, and Alberto Scarani, GG, from GemmoRaman; “Gemmological Applications of Raman & Photoluminescence Spectroscopy”
Monday night’s programming also will include the Gem-A Graduation Ceremony, hosted by JTV CEO Tim Matthews.
Tuesday, Nov. 4
This day will include a private visit to the mineral collection at the Natural History Museum, hosted by Alan Hart, FGA DGA, from 9:45 a.m. to noon.
In the afternoon, Greg Valerio and Vivien Johnston will lead a discussion about global ethical challenges within the industry from 2 to 4 p.m.
“Gem-A’s 2014 conference promises to be one of the best yet,” said Gem-A CEO James Riley. “Continuing from last year’s successful anniversary conference, the 2014 conference will build on the positive feedback received from our event at Goldsmiths Hall in 2013. We understand that the best way to keep
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
our conference fresh, up-to-date and relevant to current and potential members is by listening to their wants and trying our best to deliver the most contemporary, topical and relevant speakers. We hope that the current line-up for the 2014 conference will replicate 2013 in that respect and deliver on this promise.”
More on Other
The Latest
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
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.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
