Given that it’s the thick of summer, it’s rather surprising that this week has a number of important goings-on. First off, Initiatives in Art and Culture’s first big live conference of the pandemic era spans three days in New York City. Gemstone painter Angie Crabtree debuts her artwork at a solo show in Los Angeles. And Phillips embraces the digital auction format with online-only watch and jewelry sales. Bids away!
LISTEN
New Plumb Club Podcast (ongoing)
The Plumb Club’s July podcast drop includes two episodes intended to help retailers connect with consumers. In “Your Brand As Archetype,” Alex Williams, on behalf of Plumb Club Member IDD New York, uses 12 core archetypes as jumping-off points to discuss foundational brand making and offers tips on how to create a brand that resonates with a specific target market and effectively communicates that brand’s promise. In the second episode, Jeff Levitt, vice president of merchandise at Cynergy Trading Corp., covers new tools that allow for “Personalization & Customization of Engagement Rings,” a winning strategy among today’s consumers.
ATTEND
IAC’s Gold and Diamond Conference at Bohemian National Hall in New York City: July 18–20 (in person)
Initiatives in Art and Culture’s annual Gold and Diamond Conference is back as a three-day physical event, kicking off tomorrow at the Bohemian National Hall in Manhattan. Themed “Boldly Building the Future: Gold, Diamonds, and Jewelry in a Transformational Age,” the conference will examine the inherent tensions between maintaining the romance and lore of gems and jewelry, while considering the imperatives of responsible sourcing and practice.
Thought-provoking panel discussions featuring some of the industry’s brightest minds—including Aimee Boulanger, executive director of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA); consultant Christina T. Miller; and jewelry designer Alice Cicolini—are a big draw. The organization will also use the event as an opportunity to honor Mark Hanna, chief marketing officer at Richline, with the fifth Award for Leadership in Responsible Practice, and JCK’s very own Rob Bates with the second Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Diamond and Jewelry Industries. Tickets range from $100 to $350.
WJA NY Metro Speed Mentoring Event at GIA’s New York Headquarters: July 21 (in person)
The New York Metro chapter of the Women’s Jewelry Association is holding a speed mentoring event at the GIA’s 47th Street headquarters on Thursday. This is a golden opportunity to ask a dozen leading jewelry industry members for their advice and answers to your most pressing questions about the biz.
Angie Crabtree “Flawless” Art Exhibition in Beverly Hills: Opens July 22 (in person)
From July 22 to Aug. 14, artist Angie Crabtree will showcase her work at a solo exhibition in Beverly Hills, Calif. Titled “Flawless,” the show features her original artworks, including her largest painting to date, a 10-foot emerald-cut diamond, alongside portraits of famous diamonds such as the Argyle Muse, Argyle Alpha, and Pink Legacy. Fans of Crabtree’s work will have something else to celebrate: The artist is using the show to debut a new line of fine jewelry.
BID
Phillips’ Online Watch and Jewelry Auctions: July 21–28
The allure of online auctions in the post-pandemic age has proven too great even for Phillips, a stalwart of the traditional live auction format, to resist. This week, the auctioneer’s Hong Kong team is staging two dedicated online-only sales, Watches Online Auction I, which runs July 21–27, and Jewels: Online Auction, which runs July 22–28. No more middle-of-the-night phone bids, hooray!
Top: 18k rhodium, ruby, and diamond earrings $8,285; Graziela
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