TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
OtherFeb 12, 2014
Lineup for WJA’s ‘In the Know’ announced
The Women’s Jewelry Association’s 11th annual In the Know Conference is scheduled for March 5, and this year will include a same-day awards ceremony.
New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association’s 11th annual In the Know Conference is scheduled for March 5, and this year will include a same-day awards ceremony.
In the Know will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hearst Tower, and the “In the Spotlight” awards ceremony is slated for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the same location.
This year’s conference will focus on WJA’s 2014 theme, “Connect and Transform,” and will feature speakers who have led TED talks, been recognized by magazines including Fast Company and Fortune, and worked as professionals within the jewelry industry.
Opening the conference is Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, co-founder of Gilt Groupe, who will present “The Gilt Groupe Story: How to Get 1.5 Billion Sales in 3.5 Years.”
Wilson has more than 15 years of experience in the luxury sector, working for bands including Bulgari, Louis Vuitton and Merrill Lynch, and also co-authored By Innovation Only: How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop, a New York Times bestseller.
Rachel Shechtman, founder of retail concept company Story, will discuss with attendees “Storytelling: The New Consumerism.” Named one of Fortune’s “40 Under 40” and one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business,” Shechtman is a retail expert who has consulted for brands including Kraft, Toms Shoes and Lincoln Motor Co.
Motivational speaker Dan Thurmon will present “Off Balance on Purpose: How to Evolve During Changing Times.” Thurmon is the author of two books and an expert in helping organizations and individuals implement action plans and move through transitions.
The conference also will offer two panels.
The first will be moderated by Stellene Volandes, style director at Town & Country magazine, and will feature designers Melissa Joy Manning and Kara Ross discussing how jewelry and watch brands have extended their reach.
The second panel, “Close to the Consumer: How Retailers are Reinventing Themselves,” will be moderated by Orit, president and CEO of the O Group, with panelists Cathy Fischer of Sterling Jewelers Inc., PJ Lynch, the CEO of the Gem Shopping Network, Jennifer Gandia of Greenwich Jewelers, Annelise Peterson of Net-A-Porter and Daniella Yacobovsky of BaubleBar.
Following the conference, the In the Spotlight event will honor WJA regional chapters’ Shining Stars for 2014 as well as the 2013-2014 WJA Diva Design Contest award winners.
Combination and separate tickets for both the conference and awards event can be purchased on the WJA website.
More on Other
The Latest
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
