We hope you’re enjoying the long weekend! In a typical year, we would have spent Memorial Day packing our things for JCK Las Vegas. But given the show’s new late August time frame, you can look forward to another week of wildly interesting webinars, a virtual gemology conference, a documentary screening, and an in-person preview of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale. Happy holiday-ing!
LISTEN
The Jewelry District, Episode 45; Ongoing
In the latest episode of JCK’s The Jewelry District podcast, editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Shelia Bayes, CEO and founder of Gem + Jewel and owner of Shelia Bayes Jewelers in Lexington, Ky. From encounters with sexist jewelers to her embrace of e-commerce, Bayes shares insights that have helped her thrive as an independent business owner.
WATCH
WJA Foundation and Ethical Metalsmiths Screening of River of Gold: June 3, 7 p.m. ET (online)
The 2016 Amazon Aid Foundation documentary River of Gold chronicles the destruction of the Amazon rainforest in pursuit of illegally mined gold. The Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation and Ethical Metalsmiths are offering a free private online screening of the film followed by a livestream Q&A featuring a panel of experts, including moderator Brandee Dallow of the Responsible Jewellery Council; filmmaker and Amazon Aid Foundation founder and president Sarah duPont; responsible business practices consultant Christina T. Miller; and Nick Nehamas, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist from the Miami Herald and coauthor of Dirty Gold: The Rise and Fall of an International Smuggling Ring.
ATTEND
“The Truth About Natural Diamonds” Discussion: June 1, 8:15 a.m. ET (online)
Diamonds Do Good, in partnership with the Young Diamantaires, will host a global discussion with Diamonds Do Good cofounder and civil rights leader Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. titled “The Truth About Natural Diamonds.” Dr. Chavis will discuss his experiences in the natural diamond industry—including his meeting with South Africa’s first post-apartheid president, the Honorable Nelson Mandela (the inspiration behind the formation of the Diamond Empowerment Fund, now known as Diamonds Do Good)—and the positive impact natural diamonds have on society and the communities where they are mined, cut, and polished.
WJA Webinar on Instagram Sales: June 2, 6 p.m. ET (online)
WJA NY Metro is hosting a conversation between designer and WJA NY Metro treasurer Delphine Leymarie and Liz Kantner, digital marketing expert and founder of the Stay Gold Collective, about how to create consistent content on Instagram that will drive sales. The tips will cover how to develop strong messaging, strategically use the tools Instagram provides, write impactful calls to action, and convert leads!
NDC Webinar on Female Environmental Champions: June 2, 12 p.m. ET (online)
The Natural Diamond Council’s next webinar, “The Future Is Female: Female Environmental Champions You Should Know,” is pegged to World Environment Day on June 5. Academic, climate justice organizer, and writer Maia Wikler will moderate the discussion, which features four change-making women on what they’re doing to champion the environment. Panelists include designer Melissa Joy Manning; Ferelith Moltke, founder of Beabond; Kirsten Hund, head of carbon neutrality at the De Beers Group; and Grace Zvinowanda, senior health safety and environmental advisor at RZM Murowa.
Gemflix Webinar on Marina B: June 2, 12 p.m. ET (online)
In the next edition of Gem X’s popular Gemflix webinar series, “Sleeping Beauty: The Tale of Marina B,” creative director of Marina B Guy Bedarida and historian Amanda Triossi recall the brand’s “It jeweler” status in the 1980s; designer Marina Bulgari’s penchant for bold, colorful jewelry; and how, after many twists and turns, her legacy is being restored to its original glory.
2021 AGA Virtual Conference: Opens June 3, 11:30 a.m. ET (online)
The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) presents its half-day Gemological Education Conference from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET. Presentations will focus on diamonds and the diamond market, including Michael Goldstein on the growing popularity of repurposing old and antique cut diamonds, Dr. Thomas Hainschwang on the latest research on color treatments of diamonds, and Clare Blatherwick on how the pandemic has affected the high-end diamond jewelry auction market. Registration is $35 for members, $50 for non-members.
CIBJO Jewellery Industry Voices “Diversity & Design” Webinar: June 3, 12 p.m. ET (online)
CIBJO, with the support of the Natural Diamond Council, is hosting a webinar on why diversity is good for jewelry design, the systemic difficulties faced by newcomers, and the strategies required to remedy them. Titled “Diversity & Design,” the webinar features an esteemed lineup of panelists, including Latino designer Marvin Linares, owner of Los Angeles–based Marvin Douglas Jewelry; Constance Polamalu, a first-generation American Samoan designer whose Birthright Foundry in Annapolis, Md., celebrates underrepresented cultures, starting with her own Polynesian heritage; Melanie Eddy, a London-based designer of Caribbean background; Susan Jacques, president and CEO of GIA; and Elizabeth von der Goltz, chief commercial officer at online fashion retailer Matchesfashion.
Sotheby’s NY Magnificent Jewels Preview: Opens June 4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (in person)
Come see the Roaring ’20s redux for yourself at Sotheby’s New York galleries between June 4–8, when the auctioneer previews the jewels going on the block at its Magnificent Jewels sale on June 9. The much-anticipated sale features 94 lots, including all the usual colored diamond and colored stone suspects (Kashmir and Ceylon sapphires, Colombian emeralds, and Burmese rubies), but the big talking piece is the Sienna Star, a 73 ct. fancy vivid yellow diamond ring by master jeweler Glenn Spiro.
Top: Walk for Giants Zelena Sol necklace in 18k yellow gold with 5.85 cts. t.w. Gemfields Zambian emeralds and 0.48 ct. t.w. diamonds; £14,750 ($20,942); GFG Nilufer x Gemfields
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