It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
AGS Reveals Rest of Keynote Lineup for Conclave
The “Retail Doctor” Bob Phibbs and violinist Kai Kight will be among the featured and keynote speakers at the American Gem Society event in Hollywood next April.

Las Vegas--The American Gem Society has released the name of the remaining keynote and featured speakers for Conclave 2017, set to take place in Hollywood next April.
For the breakfast keynote on April 6, author and retail authority Scott McKain will speak.
McKain helps organizations create distinction in every phase of their business and teaches them how to deliver a great customer experience, the AGS said.
He is the author of three No. 1 business best-sellers on Amazon.com, all of which teach how to expand profits, increase sales and engage customers.
At the closing keynote on April 8, violinist and composer Kai Kight will perform and share stories from his journey as an artist.
On the featured speakers list are the “Retail Doctor” Bob Phibbs, Todd Hartley and Ford Saeks.
“Doctor” Phibbs is set to give three sessions on April 5 and 6. He is the author of three books and has worked with brands such as Hearts On Fire, Omega, Lego and Vera Bradley as a retail sales expert. Phibbs has more than 30 years of experience in retail.
Hartley is the featured speaker on April 6. A respected expert in internet marketing who frequently speaks at technology conferences, his past talks have included “Where Google is Headed,” “How to Go Viral” and “Why Content Marketing is King.” He’s also the creator of WireBuzz, a company that produces videos and marketing strategies.
On April 7, Sakes, who came up with the “Market Domination Formula,” will speak. The formula applies reverse psychology to the customer engagement model, putting the influence in the buyer’s hands rather than the hands of the seller.
The release of the remainder of the keynote and featured speakers lineup follows AGS’s announcement that both Jay Leno, of “The Tonight Show” fame, and boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard will be appearing at Conclave.
Conclave is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, April 5 to Saturday, April 8 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.
For more information, visit the Conclave page on the AGS website.
The Latest

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.


On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.

GemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.

The 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.

Aging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.

The WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.

A longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.

The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.