The new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
Ben Smithee to keynote Portland conference
The business marketing consultant is scheduled to speak on Oct. 4, the day before the Portland Jewelry Symposium begins.
Portland, Ore.--Ben Smithee will present the keynote address at this year’s Portland Jewelry Symposium, an annual event that covers design trends, technology, bench work and business for manufacturers and designers.
The symposium is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 5 at the Sentinel Hotel in Portland.
Smithee will deliver his keynote on Sunday, Oct. 4 at a dinner kicking off the symposium at the Portland Art Museum.
The chief strategy officer for Relevents, a company that produces business events, Smithee has consulted with brands including Coca-Cola, General Mills, Sterling Jewelers, Geico, McDonald’s and Ebay.
In addition to Smithee’s keynote, the symposium will offer 10 education sessions on Monday, including “Making Great Money from Custom Designing and Repairs” with David Gellar and “Top 10 Ways to Get Sued” with Cecilia Gardner of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee. Digital design, manufacturing and other topics also will be discussed.
A complete list of speakers and sessions can be found on PortlandJewelrySymposium.com.
Registration for the symposium is open and also can be found on its website while hotel accommodations are here.
This is the eighth edition of the symposium, which founder Teresa Frye said has seen strong growth in attendance and sponsorship each year.
“I believe there is growing interest in the trade for events like ours where in-depth networking opportunities complement a full education program,” she said.
The Latest

In his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.

The index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.

Launched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.

The new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.


The brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.

The collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

The initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.

The new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.

Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.

Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.

The retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.

The new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.

The jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.

The new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.

Family-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.

The Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.

Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.

Ella Blum was appointed to the newly created role.

Sponsored by RapNet

Investment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.

It explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.

Retail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.

Taylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.

Was 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.

Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.





















