The 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
Virtual AGS Conclave Set for Late April
It’s free for American Gem Society members and will include a video dance party.

Las Vegas—The American Gem Society will hold a two-day, online-only version of Conclave later this month, the organization announced late last week.
“Engage. Connect. Learn: A Virtual Conclave Experience” kicks off at 9 a.m. PST on Monday, April 27 with “Corporate Social Responsibility: How Giving Back Adds Up,” and continues through the afternoon on April 28.
Sessions include “2020 Design Trends: What’s Hot and What’s Coming!” (April 27, 12:30 p.m. PST), which features National Jeweler Senior Editor Ashley Davis; “How to Navigate the Retail Space in a Changing Business Climate” (April 28 at 9 a.m. PST); and “Gen Z: Who Are They and What Makes Them Tick, Click and Buy?” (April 28 at 11:25 a.m. PST).
Virtual Conclave is free and open to all AGS members.
The sessions are all one-hour long and pre-recorded. During the session, the panelists will tune in live to answer attendees’ questions in the chat.
Attendees also will be able to chat and share ideas with each other.
Toward the end of the conference, AGS will hold a virtual dance party.
Prior to Virtual Conclave, AGS is asking members to film themselves dancing to David Bowie’s “Modern Love” and then send the clips to AGS, which will be creating a supercut, of sorts, of its members’ moves.
The online dance party is an alternative to the organization’s annual President’s Party. A Bowie song was chosen in homage to the 2020 President’s Party theme, which was ‘80s Ski Chalet. (AGS did a poll using songs from the movie “Hot Tub Time Machine,” and “Modern Love” was the winner.)
Matchbox Virtual Media, a producer of virtual events, is streaming Virtual Conclave in partnership with Austin, Texas-based tech company CE21. It is recommended attendees use Google Chrome to stream the conference.
For a full lineup and to register, visit AGS.org/VirtualConclave, and please note that all times provided are Pacific time.
Originally, Conclave was scheduled for April 27 to 29 in Denver but, like myriad events, was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. AGS announced plans for a virtual event when it made the decision to call off Conclave last month.
AGS Conclave 2021 is set for April 26-28 in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Latest

The watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.

The new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

While some August babies are team peridot, the month's time-honored birthstone, others are team spinel, the newer alternative.


Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.

The massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.

The goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.

David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.

Survey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.

Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.

Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.

Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.

She was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.

Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.

LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”

“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.

Bain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.

The exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.

The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.

From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.

Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.

Mildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.

Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.






















