SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2020
New Event to Promote African Gems Planned for Summer
The Africa Gem Exhibition and Conference is slated for July 23 to 25 in Livingstone, Zambia.
Livingstone, Zambia—A new event to promote the responsible sourcing of gemstones from Africa has been planned for the summer.
The Africa Gem Exhibition and Conference is slated for July 23 to 25 at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone, Zambia.
It will bring together a range of stakeholders from various African governments, miners representing small scale and large companies, civil society, associations and academics.
They will discuss policy in the gemstone supply chain, encourage ideas to promote and incentivize value addition of gemstones, enhance Africa’s visibility as a gem-producing hub and feature discussions on the responsible sourcing of gold and diamonds from the continent.
It also will provide a marketplace for miners, dealers and jewelers to buy and sell gemstones and jewelry.
Conference Director Monica Gichuhi said event organizers are collaborating with the Zambian Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development to allow for easy importation and exportation of goods for the event.
She also noted they’ve partnered with GIA to offer an introductory course on gemology during the event as well as training on gem identification and valuation using the guidebook designed by the lab for artisanal and small-scale miners.
One day also will include basic training on jewelry making from U.S. jewelers attending the conference.
There also will be a gem cutting competition, open to all African lapidaries and gem cutters who want to showcase their expertise.
Organizers are working with the Gemstone Processing and Lapidary Training Centre in Zambia to help coordinate the competition in collaboration with Inonge Zita Jewelers, which specializes in sourcing and cutting stones from Zambia.
Gichuhi said they would like to gift the winner with relevant equipment or a machine to help develop their skills and work but still seek a donation to assist with that.
AGEC has been organized in partnership with the Association of Zambia Women in Mining, Federation of Small-Scale Miners of Zambia and the Zambian Government as well as the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference.
There are multiple tiers of pricing based on involvement and residence. For more information or to buy tickets, visit AGECAfrica.com.
“The speakers that we are able to get in Zambia due to the location brings our global dialogue on responsible jewelry industry to a new level of communication and cooperation,” said Susan Wheeler, a jewelry designer and founder and CEO of the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference.
“Civil society leaders, those in the government of source countries and the
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
NGOs operating on the ground as well as women miners, various AWIMA associations and of course jewelry designers all come together to drive the industry towards the SDG.”
The Nomad Jeweler, meanwhile, is organizing a trip to tour mines in Zambia after the conference.
The Livingstone (Victoria Falls) Gemstone Tour will run from July 25-29; participants will transfer from the Avani resort to The David Livingstone Lodge and Spa for the duration of the stay.
Days will be spent visiting local amethyst and emerald mines, meeting with miners, visiting local schools and community projects, going on safari and more.
The price of the package, which includes the conference, will be available soon. For more information, contact info@thenomadjeweler.com.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on March 6 to reflect additional information about a trip related to the conference.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
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.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
