Editors

4 Takeaways From My First Conclave

EditorsApr 22, 2019

4 Takeaways From My First Conclave

Associate Editor Lenore Fedow recaps the lessons she learned in Seattle at her first AGS Conclave.

20190314_Conclave_Logo_copy.jpg
AGS Conclave wrapped up in Seattle earlier this month and plans to head to Denver next year.

I recently returned from my first American Gem Society Conclave, and now I’m here to write my first blog.

I joined National Jeweler’s editorial team this January, covering breaking news and financials of the large public jewelry companies, like Signet and Tiffany.

I am taking my background in business journalism—covering Wall Street and market trends—and my previous experience working in New York’s Diamond District providing customer service and combining them for this job.

If I’ve learned one thing in my short time here, it’s that I have quite a lot to learn, which is the reason I packed my bags and headed west to Seattle earlier this month.

So, without further ado, here are four takeaways from an industry newbie’s first Conclave.

1. It’s a close-knit community.

I made my way to the registration desk Monday morning to pick up my entry badge. An AGS employee greeted me with a smile and took down my information, printing out my badge and slapping a bright, white sticker on the bottom.

It read “NEWCOMER,” clear as day in shiny gold lettering.

I spotted a fair number of white badges during my time in Seattle at Conclave, but I got the sense that most of the people attending had been coming to Conclave for quite a while.

Rarely did I make it down a hallway or through the lobby without walking around groups of what seemed like old friends, excitedly chit-chatting about what’s gone on since last they met.

The newcomer badge was a wonderful icebreaker when I stopped to chat between sessions or in the elevator. It was encouraging to hear how many years people have been attending Conclave.

While the education sessions were interesting and diverse, I imagine what brings people back year after year is the sense of community.

Here I was halfway across the country in a new city in a new industry and I was made to feel right at home.

So if you stopped to say hello or made space for me at your breakfast table, it was noticed and appreciated.

2. Adapting to change is a slow but necessary process.

A change isn’t coming; it is already here.

Throughout my time at Conclave, I met with so many wonderful people with so much experience and talent to share with the industry.

However, as I sat through sessions and listened in on discussions, I sensed a lot of hesitancy to change, especially in terms of technology and social

media, and I worried that all that love and knowledge might be in danger of fading away in the coming years.

I wouldn’t advise everyone to put their inventory on blockchain or start opening pop-up shops left and right, but an openness to change is a step in the right direction.

I sat in on a session led by Jennifer Shaheen, president of Technology Therapy Group, which provides marketing and tech expertise to retailers, and she was quick to offer a helping hand to jewelers in attendance.

During her session, she went over how artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented reality and virtual reality were changing the retail landscape and outlined ways storeowners could utilize technology to improve the shopping experience and collect useful data along the way.

If you’re looking to educate yourself on retail technology or make better use of your data, Shaheen would be the person for the job.

3. There is still some confusion about the revised FTC Jewelry Guides.

I attended a session on the revised Jewelry Guides, presented by Tiffany Stevens and Sara Yood of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.

I was a bit confused as to why the session would be held in April when the revised guidelines were made public in July, but after sitting in on this session I came to see why continual education is needed.

As a relative newcomer to the jewelry world, I thought I’d be alone in my confusion when Stevens and Yood went into the nitty-gritty details of the revised guidelines, but there were a lot of hands up during the Q&A portion.

If you need a refresher, you can take a peek at our stories about the changes to the Jewelry Guides as they pertain to lab-grown diamonds as well as other topics including pearls and metals.

If you have compliance questions, you might want to give JVC a call.

4. Have confidence in your product.

It was clear to me from the start at National Jeweler that lab-grown diamonds have really shaken up the industry.

In a lot of what I've read so far and heard at Conclave, I feel like lab-grown diamonds are being positioned as akin to the bogeyman, lurking around the corner poised to snatch away all natural diamond customers with deceitful advertising.

But at the end of a session on diamond market trends, Rapaport Senior Analyst and News Editor Avi Krawitz said something that stuck with me.

He advised attendees to vouch for their product, highlighting what makes a natural diamond unique, and focus less on the perceived threat of lab-grown diamonds.

I can’t speak for my entire generation but, for me, the natural formation of a diamond, and any gemstone really, is the most fascinating and unique thing about it.

It’s incredible to think that this stone on my finger is the result of carbon molecules coming together over billions of years deep in the earth. Then, human innovation found a way to unearth that stone and transform it into portable art, allowing me to carry a piece of that story around with me every day.

Sold.

In closing, I am grateful for this new experience and the industry’s warm welcome. I look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Lenore Fedowis the senior editor, news at National Jeweler, covering the retail beat and the business side of jewelry.

The Latest

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Eve Goldberg, Matthew Denatale, Willie Lopez, Benjamin Goldberg
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship Program

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Mindi Mond Spike Earrings
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot Rubies

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Morgan Keefe
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education Scholarship

This year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.

The Jewelry Book
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

Gemist
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech Platform

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Jeff Preolo, David Stout, Levi Higgs, David Benavides
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, Promotions

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

Blake Graham and Jessica Kohoutek
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

Buddha Mama Monstera Ring
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap Ring

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Cashier handing Rocksbox bag to customer
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers Downsizes

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

Penny Ruston
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

Stock image of woman shopping
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

Sorellina Playlist: Electric Dreams Campaign
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired Jewels

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The Jewelry Symposium event
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 Event

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

Exterior of Marissa Collections’ new store in Nantucket, Massachusetts
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight Continues

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Counterfeit Cartier “Juste Un Clou” bracelet
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef Jewelry

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

Karine Choudhrie Big Splash Circus Starfish and Lantern Fish
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus Performers

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

Jewelers of America
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund Recipients

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

John Dyer Montana Sun Sapphire
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for Entries

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Lori Tucker
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local Retailer

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

“Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch for the new The Fantastic Four movie
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy