It’s a week of jewelry celebration and contemplation. Two big parties bookend the week: the in-person Cannes Film Festival, which has returned to the French Riviera after more than two years of COVID-19-related hiatus, and the virtual Gem Awards, Jewelers of America’s annual party honoring changemakers in our industry. In between, direct your attention to two important virtual conferences: one devoted to responsible gem sourcing in Africa, and the other to the nitty-gritty issues affecting the gold and diamond trade.

LISTEN

The Jewelry District, Episode 48 (ongoing)

In the latest episode of JCK’s The Jewelry District podcast, editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss Watches of Switzerland’s new “Anytime. Anywhere” campaign, which is centered on a three-minute film the retailer describes as a “cinematic love letter to the modern collector.” They also tackle the Alex and Ani bankruptcy, and some futuristic retail concepts that may soon reshape the watch industry.

WATCH

The Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet: Through July 17

After more than two years, the Cannes Film Festival is back! The glamorous European cinematic extravaganza opened July 6. To celebrate the return of the red carpet, the Swiss jeweler Chopard, an official partner of the festival since 1998, unveiled a 74-piece high jewelry collection themed around a fantastical refuge. “This year, I was inspired by the idea of paradise,” Caroline Scheufele, Chopard’s copresident and artistic director, said in a statement. “I wanted our creations to invite women on a journey towards a comforting haven, an imaginary world brimming with dreams and optimism.” Exactly what we had in mind for the swinging summer of 2021!

ATTEND

Gems Africa 2021 Virtual Conference: July 12, 3 a.m.–12 p.m. ET (online)

The Association of Women in Extractives in Kenya (AWEIK), in collaboration with Kenya’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mining, has prepared a one-day virtual conference to address issues around the responsible sourcing of gemstones and gold, from mines to market. Organizers will highlight some of the rare gems and colored stones found in Africa, with an eye to drawing buyers to the source. They will also position and promote women involved in the business of mining—such as Moyo Gems’ all-female artisanal mining team—to help them gain access to regional and international markets. The conference kicks off at 10 a.m. East Africa Time (EAT). Those joining stateside might want to have some coffee on hand!

Initiatives in Art and Culture’s 11th Annual Gold & Diamond Conference: July 13–15, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. ET (online)

Initiatives in Art and Culture has pulled out all the stops for its three-day gold and diamond conference. Prepare to delve into questions of transparency, language, legislation, regulation, value, and impact, as discussed by some of the jewelry industry’s best and brightest thinkers, including Anisa Costa, Tiffany & Co.’s chief sustainability officer; designer and artist Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia; Jonathan González, market development specialist at the Alliance for Responsible Mining; and author and editor Jill Newman.

Email Marketing Webinar: July 13, 4 p.m. ET (online)

Liz Kantner, founder of the Stay Gold Collective, and jewelry sales expert Kathleen Cutler host this 90-minute webinar on digital marketing done right. Topics include: what kind of emails you should be sending to clients, how you can approach regular email outreach with confidence, and what to do after you hit send.

MAD About Jewelry in Conversation With Elie Top: July 15, 5 p.m. ET (online)

The Museum of Arts and Design’s MAD About Jewelry annual curated show and sale continues its special series of conversations between jewelry notables this week, with journalist Amy Fine Collins and jeweler Elie Top. Stay tuned for an intimate exchange that covers Top’s background, his inspirations, and a glimpse of his process.

Gem Awards: July 15, 7 p.m. ET (online)

For the first time, the jewelry industry’s biggest awards night goes virtual. Honorees at Jewelers of America’s famed “Jewelry Oscars” gala event include stylist Law Roach, who will receive the 2021 Gem Award for Jewelry Style, and John Kennedy, president of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, whose innumerable contributions to the trade have earned him the 2021 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement. Register now and snag a front-row seat—the show will include a tribute to the life and legacy of Tiffany & Co.’s Elsa Peretti as well as a toast to the gem, jewelry, and watch industry’s strength and resilience over the past year.

Top: Ring in 18k white and yellow gold with 3.16 ct. cushion ruby and 0.38 ct. t.w. diamonds, $13,068; Yael Designs

 

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