MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
EditorsMay 02, 2011
Thoughts on Conclave 2011
I was out in San Francisco last week for American Gem Society Conclave, my second Conclave in the nearly four years I’ve worked at National Jeweler. Conclave is a lot to take in for one person, so I’ve done the...
I was out in San Francisco last week for American Gem Society Conclave, my second Conclave in the nearly four years I’ve worked at National Jeweler.
Conclave is a lot to take in for one person, so I’ve done the best I can to deliver the highlights of the four-day conference. Here are some of my take-aways. Thoughts, comments and differing perspectives from those who attended--or even those who didn’t get a chance to go this year--are always welcome.
-- A simple message. The message delivered by a number of speakers last week seemed to center around one theme: keep it simple. Daniel Pink kicked off Conclave on Wednesday by challenging attendees to come up with one sentence to describe their purpose.
Zappos.com’s Tony Hsieh talked about how they narrowed the focus of the company over the years until they had it whittled down to one single purpose that described both their attitude toward employees and toward customers: delivering happiness.
And in a session on getting and keeping customers, hairdresser-cum-sales trainer Patricia Fripp issued attendees a challenge similar to that issued by Pink: come up with a simple phrase that describes your philosophy.
A few retailers in the audience shared their stores’ already-made taglines, including “spreading joy” and “buy locally,” a tagline chosen by the store to set it apart from the chain competitors in the same town.
-- A worthy cause. Diamond Development Initiative Chairman Ian Smillie gave a presentation at breakfast on Thursday describing the mission of DDI and encouraging retailers to take part in the new Friends of DDI program. The mission of DDI is to improve the lives and economic situations of the estimated 1.5 million artisanal diamond diggers in Africa and South America.
With this new friendship program, DDI is asking retailers for monetary contributions and, in return, DDI will supply retailers with materials about the program, including materials they can display at their store to let customers know they are working to improve the lives of a disadvantaged sect of the supply chain.
In my opinion, DDI is a great organization for retailers to become involved with, especially as younger generations of diamond buyers have shown that they have a penchant for choosing products and retailers that make a difference over those that don’t.
For more information, e-mail friends@ddiglobal.org or visit DDIGlobal.org.
-- Surprise honor. One of Conclave’s more touching moments came on Thursday when AGS
President Cathy Calhoun called longtime jeweler and certified gemologist appraiser (CGA) Cos Altobelli up on stage and announced that AGS was naming its library in honor of him, a first-time move for the organization. In his six decades in the jewelry industry, the North Hollywood, Calif.-based jeweler, gemologist and appraiser--who is a member of National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame--has spent countless hours mentoring others working to become CGAs. Having a library named in his honor will ensure no one will ever forget Altobelli’s contributions to the industry.
-- Social media takes a square. For this year’s Conclave AGS came up with a creative way to encourage networking: a bingo game. Each attendee was given a card with squares reading things such as “Conclave Attendee from PA” or “First-time attendee.” The goal was to meet people that satisfied each of these criteria and have them initial your card. Just like in any bingo game, the goal was to complete a line in any direction. Once an attendee could claim bingo, they turned in their card in for the chance to win an iPad 2 at Saturday’s Shipley award luncheon.
Sign of the times: Two of the squares had to deal with social media. Attendees could either post on the AGS Facebook page or Tweet #AGSConclave to earn a square, and they weren’t shy about doing so.
As of Sunday as I write this on the plane back to New York, there were countless posts on the AGS Facebook page referencing Conclave and #AGSConclave tweets.
-- Social media takes a square. For this year’s Conclave AGS came up with a creative way to encourage networking: a bingo game. Each attendee was given a card with squares reading things such as “Conclave Attendee from PA” or “First-time attendee.” The goal was to meet people that satisfied each of these criteria and have them initial your card. Just like in any bingo game, the goal was to complete a line in any direction. Once an attendee could claim bingo, they turned in their card in for the chance to win an iPad 2 at Saturday’s Shipley award luncheon.
Sign of the times: Two of the squares had to deal with social media. Attendees could either post on the AGS Facebook page or Tweet #AGSConclave to earn a square, and they weren’t shy about doing so.
As of Sunday as I write this on the plane back to New York, there were countless posts on the AGS Facebook page referencing Conclave and #AGSConclave tweets.
More on Editors
The Latest
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
