TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
EditorsJan 24, 2020
The Jewelry Glossary Project Is Live
Ten definitions related to sourcing are available for use. Here’s why the group behind the glossary will keep revising it.
Last year I came back from Tucson with a few observations, one of which was the increasing importance of the industry getting on the same page when it comes to key words used in conversations about sourcing.
What do we actually mean when we say ethical? Conflict? Recycled?
I later found out about a working group aiming to do just that—create a set of industry-accepted definitions for supply chain-related words.
Jewelry designer Emily Phillippy reached out after Tucson, and our conversation led to my blog post highlighting what the group is doing, including the survey they had deployed to gain feedback on the 10 definitions they were devising.
I now wanted to come back to the topic with a quick follow-up: The Jewelry Glossary Project is live.
The goal of the glossary, according to its website, is to create these shared definitions for use by the trade and the public. The group that has been working behind the scenes on the project for more than three years is comprised of jewelry designers, gemstone wholesalers, goldsmiths, educators and experts in the sector.
They’ve defined: ethical, conflict-free diamond, recycled, sustainability, Fair Trade Certified versus Fairtrade, and a handful of other terms, as they apply to the context of jewelry.
Visit the site, and check out the definitions.
If you have feedback or thoughts, reach out to the group at jewelryglossaryproject@gmail.com; they emphasize that the glossary is a work in progress.
Emily recently told me they are revising as they see fit and will release new versions regularly. Each version will be labeled as PDFs on the website so the history of each definition can be followed.
She added the group is currently revisiting a few of the definitions that received the most feedback from the survey and will be releasing those changes soon
They also hope to eventually add more definitions to the list.
For those traveling to Tucson in the coming weeks interested in learning more, the project will have a presence via participating gem show exhibitors and attendees, which will have Jewelry Glossary Project stickers with them.
The hope is people will stick them on their badges to help raise awareness.
Stickers will be at the following booths or with the following confirmed participants:
--Perpetuum Jewels, Ethical Gem Fair and Booth 2010 at GJX;
--Columbia Gem House, Ethical Gem Fair, Booth 1117 at AGTA GemFair and Booth R 158 at the Pueblo show;
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
--Third Coast Gems, walking around AGTA;
--Diamondoodles, walking around AGTA;
--Gemology Geek, walking around AGTA;
--Robert Bentley Co., Ethical Gem Fair and Booth 322 at AGTA; and
--Enji Studio Jewelry, Booth DC3 at JCK Tucson.
The vendors/attendees also will have lists of the definitions with them for anyone who may want a hard copy.
--Diamondoodles, walking around AGTA;
--Gemology Geek, walking around AGTA;
--Robert Bentley Co., Ethical Gem Fair and Booth 322 at AGTA; and
--Enji Studio Jewelry, Booth DC3 at JCK Tucson.
The vendors/attendees also will have lists of the definitions with them for anyone who may want a hard copy.
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
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.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
