The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
The Couture Show Will Hold Education Sessions This Year
The trade show will host talks on sustainability, lab-grown and mined diamonds, intellectual property and trends.

Las Vegas—Couture has set itself apart from other trade shows with its small scale and luxurious atmosphere, but this year, it’s taking a cue from its competitors and introducing an educational element.
The jewelry trade show will host “CoutureTalks,” a series of presentations and discussions to take place during show day breakfasts and lunches at the Wynn Las Vegas.
Show director and Emerald Expositions (the group that owns Couture) Senior Vice President Gannon Brousseau said in a press release: "We wanted to be extremely thoughtful and strategic about rolling out this type of initiative.”
"We needed to ensure that the subjects we’re focusing on are relevant to our community, and that the speakers and presentations approach these conversations in a unique way that speaks specifically to our audience; we’re confident that the curated programs we’re implementing are aligned with these goals."
Among the topics the Couture team thinks are relevant to its exhibitors and visitors is lab-grown diamonds. On Friday morning, the first CoutureTalks session will feature a discussion on the benefits and prevalence of both lab-grown and mined diamonds in the industry today.
The panel will be moderated by the GIA’s Cathryn Ramirez and will feature panelists Sally Morrison of Lightbox Jewelry, Rachel Aaron of Canadamark, Laura Freedman of independent retail chain Broken English, and Stephen Webster.
Friday afternoon, renowned trend forecaster and The Futurist CEO Paola De Luca will turn the conversation to current jewelry trends, examining how the digital era and globalization affect today’s design directions.
Saturday’s breakfast will feature a talk from Stuller Vice President of diamonds and gemstones, Stanley Zale, on practical ways the jewelry industry can implement practices to become more ethical and environmentally sustainable.
During Saturday’s lunch, Paul Boutros and Geoffrey Hess of Phillips will discuss what motivates today’s collector in a conversation with author, photographer and style editor Matt Hranek.
Finally, Monday morning will feature a can’t-miss presentation from Jewelers Vigilance Committee attorneys Tiffany Stevens and Sara Yood on intellectual property law in the context of the jewelry and design worlds.
Couture is happening from May 30 to June 3, 2019. The show is asking that interested CoutureTalks attendees RSVP in advance. For more information about CoutureTalks, or the show, contact Michelle Orman at (646) 302-5521 or Michelle@LastWordComm.com.
The Latest

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.


The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.

The $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.

























