The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
Louis Smith elected AGS president
Louis Smith, a certified gemologist at Smithworks Fine Jewelry in Spartanburg, S.C., has been elected as president of the American Gem Society’s board of directors.
He was appointed on April 26 during the AGS’ Conclave, which took place in San Diego.
Smith succeeds outgoing President David Gardner of David Gardner’s Jewelers in College Station, Texas. He will hold the position until April 2016.
“We have a talented team at headquarters, and a hard-working and dedicated board,” Smith said. “With that combination and our membership, I’m looking forward to great things in the next two years.”
Also announced at Conclave was the AGS’ 2014-2015 board of directors, which includes Scott Berg, president elect; John Carter, secretary and chair of the Conclave sub-committee; Bill Sites, senior advisor; Kelly Kinas, treasurer; Beryl Raff, director at large; Yancy Weinrich, director at large; and Charles Rosario, director at large.
Elected to chair positions are Laura Stanley, International Guilds Council; Michael Richards, Gemological Sciences Committee; Lisa Bridge, Education and Young Titleholders committee; Michael Wilson, Marketing Committee; Kelly Newton, Membership and Grievance and Review Committee; and Mark Moeller, AGS Lab Advisory Committee.
The board also elected three new members, each appointed as director at large: Frank Brown, Scott Udell and Stewart Wicht.
The Latest

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

The author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.

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

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.


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

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

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

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.

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.
























