JCK Jewelry Agenda: Week of Feb. 5

By Melissa Rose Bernardo | February 02, 2023

Is anyone not in Tucson? (Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?) Actually, we know there are a few folks left in New York, so if you’re here, good news: There are three—count ’em, three—jewelry shows in Manhattan this week. And if you’re traveling home from Tucson, we’ve got a few podcasts to help you pass the time…and to drown out the yapping stranger next to you on the plane.

LISTEN

The Jewelry District podcast, Episode 88 (ongoing)

In the latest episode of The Jewelry District, editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky talks about her recent trip to January’s VicenzaOro show, which turned out to be the biggest-ever edition of the Italian fair (as far as exhibitors and attendees). Post-Vicenza, she visited Jaeger-LeCoultre in Geneva to get the scoop on The Collectibles, the Swiss watchmaker’s new 17-model archival line. On the topic of gems, news director Rob Bates digs into Sarine’s purchase of the GCAL (remember: Sarine uses artificial intelligence in diamond grading). Plus: The FTC is proposing a ban on noncompete clauses.

New Plumb Club Podcasts (ongoing)

Plumb Club Feb podcasts This month’s drop of podcasts from the Plumb Club continues to cover the buzziest topics: In “Piercing & Zapping Parties 101,” PR maven Duvall O’Steen and Chic Pistachio’s Katherine Whitacre tell you everything you need to know about this year’s hottest in-store event. And in “From the Laboratory: Everything Retailers Need to Know about Disclosure and Detection of Diamonds,” Gemological Science International chief learning officer Althea Inns talks screening, origin, analysis, and disclosure.

ATTEND

NY Now, Melee the Show, and Metal & Smith in New York City: Feb. 5–8 (in person)

Ray griffiths amethyst bracelet — *Amethyst and phosphosiderite stretch bracelet with 18k yellow gold Crownwork finial bead ($1,090) by Melee exhibitor Ray Griffiths*

Anyone who needs to stock up for Mother’s Day and graduation season would do well to hit up these three shows: NY Now (Feb. 5–8 at Javits), Metal & Smith (Feb. 6–7 at 523 W. 37th St.), and Melee the Show (Feb. 6–8 at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers’ Pier 61). Melee alone features more than 75 brands including EF Collection, Just Jules, Melissa Joy Manning, and Ten Thousand Things; NY Now is where you’ll find handmade jewelry both fine (Judi Powers, Eden Presley) and fashion (Bounkit, Cristina Sabatini); and Metal & Smith focuses on up-and-coming designers of all stripes. FYI: NY Now and M&S are literally a five-minute walk from each other; hit up both of those the same day.

Love and Sentiment—Jewels With a Message (and Some Purple Passion) Webinar: Feb. 6, 7 p.m. ET (online)

Scribe jewelry by Elizabeth Gibson — *Acrostic gemstone and 14k gold jewelry by designer Elizabeth Gibson’s Scribe*

Message jewelry has never been more popular (think symbols, initials, acrostic jewelry), and the Jewelry Design Professionals Network (JDPN) wants to talk about it. On Feb. 6, this free webinar, led by FIT jewelry design professor Michael Coan, will examine 18th- and 19th- century messages of love and friendship in honor of arguably our industry’s biggest holiday. Plus: Did you know February’s birthstone, amethyst, is called the “purple passion” gem? Register here.

Gemflix’s “Suzanne Belperron: Lover, Resistance Fighter and Iconoclastic Designer” Talk: Feb. 8, 12 p.m. ET (online)

Jeweler book cover and Belperron Historical fiction fans, this one’s for you: The famously elusive and monumentally influential designer Suzanne “My style is my signature” Belperron is a character in M.J. Rose’s latest novel, The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams. Journalist and fellow author Marion Fasel, founder of The Adventurine, come together for a chat about Belperron, her life, and, of course, her jewels. RSVP here.