IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
EditorsApr 27, 2018
Nashville Is Great, and 4 Other Lessons from Conclave
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares her takeaways from AGS Conclave 2018.
I was in Nashville, Tennessee, earlier this week covering American Gem Society’s Conclave. It was my third—I attended Seattle in 2008 and Washington, D.C. in 2016—and I enjoyed it, as I always do.
I walked away with a number of story ideas that I’ll be working on in the weeks to come, but, as we wrap up the week that was Conclave 2018, I wanted to share a handful of quick takeaways on what I saw as some of the major themes that emerged at the three-day event.
1. Adapting to change was a big topic.
Marie Osmond addressed change in her lengthy lunchtime keynote address Monday, and emcee Joel Zeff did the same in his improv skit-centered session on Monday afternoon.
Zeff’s presentation, “The Tao of Change,” was fun and felt more like an evening at the Upright Citizens Brigade than a late-in-the-day education session at a work conference. He called on volunteers to act out various scenarios, all of which were improvised and, therefore, required the actors to adapt to change quickly and work together.
Change also came up in a Monday afternoon session led by Forevermark U.S. President Charles Stanley, who shared insights from De Beers’s proprietary research.
Chief among the changes he noted was the shifiting role of and attitude toward women—meaning the rise of movements like #MeToo and the renewed push for equal pay— which, he said, is “really significantly impacting all consumer purchases today,” and diamond jewelry is certainly not excluded from that.
In its 2017 Diamond Insight Report, De Beers noted that between 2005 and 2015, the percentage of diamond jewelry that women in the U.S. market bought for themselves increased from 23 percent to 33 percent.
2. Cybersecurity was too.
When releasing its crime report for 2017, the Jewelers Security Alliance called attention to the increase in cybercrime. Losses connected to crimes perpetrated using the internet averaged $1.2 million last year, and the year-over-year increase was so significant that the JSA made cybercrime its own category for the first time.
At Conclave, there were two sessions dedicated to cybersecurity, including the one I attended Monday led by Mary Myers, an information security analyst with Jewelers Mutual. You can read all about it here.
3. Jewelry store employees need training on taking in appraisals.
On Tuesday, I attended a session led by Sherrie Taylor, an independent appraiser from Canada, outlining common myths about jewelry appraisals.
It’s
a subject that certainly warrants a more in-depth article in the future, but one quick takeaway is that employees often neglect to ask the key question when a customer brings in a piece of jewelry for appraisal, which is: What is the purpose of the appraisal?
The appraiser needs to know what the piece is being appraised for—estate, probate, divorce, immediate resale, etc.—in order to do a proper evaluation, but employees often fail to collect this information.
One jeweler in attendance shared a practice that other attendees seemed interested in adopting. He said he developed a form that contains check boxes for a couple of the most common reasons for getting an appraisal, like insurance, and then has an “Other” box with a few lines under it. Employees can check “other” and then write out the “why” of the appraisal.
4. There are misconceptions about photo rights and Instagram.
One of the last sessions I attended was Sara Yood’s on copyright, trademark and patent law. Yood is the senior counsel at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee. I’ll also be writing more extensively about this session later but wanted to share one lesson right now.
Toward the end of the presentation, Yood covered the right of publicity, which is the right of an individual to control the commercial use (meaning in advertising, marketing, etc., not in the news) of her or his name, image and likeness.
What this means is that you can’t use an image of a celebrity wearing your jewelry without her or his permission. What’s more, if the image was taken by a photo agency, like Getty, then you have to license the photo from that agency.
A jewelry designer in the audience asked: Don’t people give up that right when they post their image on Instagram?
No, said Yood, an individual is not releasing her or his rights when they share a picture on the social media site. You cannot take an image and use it without permission just because it was on Instagram.
5. I will return to Nashville.
Conclave marked my first trip to Music City. I lived not too far—in Atlanta—from 2000 to 2007, but I don’t remember there being quite the buzz about Nashville then as there is now.
On Tuesday night, a group of companies sponsored a concert at 3rd and Lindsley featuring The Time Jumpers, a country music supergroup with a rotating cast that currently includes Vince Gill.
I’m not a country music or a Vince Gill fan, but live music is one of my passions and seeing such a talented group of musicians together was a treat. The Time Jumpers were fantastic. For anybody who wants to check them out, go to 3rd and Lindsley on a Monday night.
Afterward, I headed out to Broadway (Nashville’s equivalent of Bourbon Street in New Orleans or, perhaps a better comparison, Beale Street in Memphis) with a colleague to hear a little more, and we didn’t even know where to start. There was good live music pouring out of every bar, and it was just a Tuesday night.
Earlier in the week, I took a walk and passed a few cute shops, the famous Ryman Auditorium, which was home to the Grand Ole Opry until the mid-‘70s, and a spot where they were giving trolley tours of Nashville. I am putting all of these on my to-do list for a return trip.
Have a great weekend, y’all.
The appraiser needs to know what the piece is being appraised for—estate, probate, divorce, immediate resale, etc.—in order to do a proper evaluation, but employees often fail to collect this information.
One jeweler in attendance shared a practice that other attendees seemed interested in adopting. He said he developed a form that contains check boxes for a couple of the most common reasons for getting an appraisal, like insurance, and then has an “Other” box with a few lines under it. Employees can check “other” and then write out the “why” of the appraisal.
4. There are misconceptions about photo rights and Instagram.
One of the last sessions I attended was Sara Yood’s on copyright, trademark and patent law. Yood is the senior counsel at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee. I’ll also be writing more extensively about this session later but wanted to share one lesson right now.
Toward the end of the presentation, Yood covered the right of publicity, which is the right of an individual to control the commercial use (meaning in advertising, marketing, etc., not in the news) of her or his name, image and likeness.
What this means is that you can’t use an image of a celebrity wearing your jewelry without her or his permission. What’s more, if the image was taken by a photo agency, like Getty, then you have to license the photo from that agency.
A jewelry designer in the audience asked: Don’t people give up that right when they post their image on Instagram?
No, said Yood, an individual is not releasing her or his rights when they share a picture on the social media site. You cannot take an image and use it without permission just because it was on Instagram.
5. I will return to Nashville.
Conclave marked my first trip to Music City. I lived not too far—in Atlanta—from 2000 to 2007, but I don’t remember there being quite the buzz about Nashville then as there is now.
On Tuesday night, a group of companies sponsored a concert at 3rd and Lindsley featuring The Time Jumpers, a country music supergroup with a rotating cast that currently includes Vince Gill.
I’m not a country music or a Vince Gill fan, but live music is one of my passions and seeing such a talented group of musicians together was a treat. The Time Jumpers were fantastic. For anybody who wants to check them out, go to 3rd and Lindsley on a Monday night.
Afterward, I headed out to Broadway (Nashville’s equivalent of Bourbon Street in New Orleans or, perhaps a better comparison, Beale Street in Memphis) with a colleague to hear a little more, and we didn’t even know where to start. There was good live music pouring out of every bar, and it was just a Tuesday night.
Earlier in the week, I took a walk and passed a few cute shops, the famous Ryman Auditorium, which was home to the Grand Ole Opry until the mid-‘70s, and a spot where they were giving trolley tours of Nashville. I am putting all of these on my to-do list for a return trip.
Have a great weekend, y’all.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
