TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2018
AGS Hands Out Honors at Titleholders Event
The Seattle guild, David Sexton and Jennifer Shaheen were among the winners at the annual luncheon, held Tuesday in Nashville.
Anna Samsonova and Gina Hawkins, CG, (right) accepted the Guild of the Year Award for Seattle from last year’s winner, Kara Huddleston, CGA and president of the Cincinnati Guild (far left), and Marc Altman.
Nashville, Tenn.—Seattle, Sexton and Shaheen were among the winners at the American Gem Society’s Titleholders Luncheon Tuesday.
David Sexton, the vice president of loss prevention at Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group, took home the John J. Kennedy Award for his years of service to the jewelry industry. The award is named for the current president of the Jewelers Security Alliance and goes to an individual who contributes to the safety of the industry, which Sexton has through Jewelers Mutual, its partnership with JSA and his work with UL.
Jennifer Shaheen won the Sallie Morton Award, which recognizes an individual for their service to the AGS Guilds over the past year.
Shaheen, the founder of Technology Therapy Group, traveled extensively last year to lend her marketing and technology expertise to guilds nationwide.
The award is named for Sallie Morton, the first female president of AGS who was instrumental in promoting and developing the guilds. Morton died this past October at the age of 91.
Guild of the Year, meanwhile, went to Seattle, which presenter Marc Altman said has done a “terrific” job over the past year serving its members and organizing meetings that were engaging.
Anna Samsonova and Gina Hawkins, CG, accepted the award on behalf of the Queen City’s chapter.
Also presented at Tuesday’s lunch was the award for Young Titleholder of the Year, which went to Sarah Nanasi Russell (CG), a woman whom Denise Richards, CGA and outgoing chair of the Young Titleholders Steering Committee, described as driven and dedicated.
The Titleholders Luncheon is a Conclave staple organized to recognize those who have newly earned or reached a milestone in their AGS designation. Examples of the organization’s designations include certified gemologist (CG), certified gemologist appraiser (CGA) and registered jeweler (RJ).
Among those recognized this year was a California jeweler who has held the title of certified gemologist for 40 years—Georgie Gleim of Gleim the Jeweler in Palo Alto.
AGS Conclave 2018 wraps up Wednesday in Nashville,
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Tennessee, with the presentation of the Robert M. Shipley Award at lunch and the annual President’s Party.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
Weekly QuizOct 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Gesswein Hires Longtime Bench Jeweler, Educator Ann CahoonCahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Amanda Seyfried Stars In Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday CampaignTiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on YouFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.
CrimeOct 28, 2026
Man In Florida Who Swallowed Tiffany & Co. Earrings ConvictedJaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
SurveysOct 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Up in October as Gas Prices EaseConsumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ ShineThe holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.
SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You DareVote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
