JCK Jewelry Agenda: Week of May 31

By Victoria Gomelsky | May 28, 2026

Many people are leaving Las Vegas today. For those still in town for the JCK and Luxury shows, we’ve listed today’s highlights of JCK Talks, the show’s robust educational program. Elsewhere, a designer award deadline looms (it’s tomorrow), and New Yorkers may want to take a jewelry-focused stroll. Wherever you are, we hope the first week of June finds you rested and ready for summer. Here at JCK, all we want is sleep!

LISTEN

Plumb Club Podcast (ongoing)

FGI Podcast Cover The Plumb Club’s May podcast is out. In “What’s Driving Men’s Bands in 2026,” Liliana Estrella and Tom Schwartz of Frederick Goldman discuss the shifting shopping dynamic in the men’s wedding band category. They talk about how modern metals and metal pricing are significantly affecting the market and give expert tips on selling men’s bands from the perspectives of the in-store experience, by material, by design, and by price.

APPLY

Tiffany x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award: Due June 1

Aimed at elevating the next generation of American jewelry designers, the 2026–2027 Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award offers the opportunity to learn from one of the world’s most renowned jewelry houses. Finalists will receive one-to-one mentorship through Tiffany & Co.’s design team, and present final collections to a selection committee. One designer among the finalists will be awarded a $50,000 grant and a one-year paid fellowship with the Tiffany design team. Applications are open through June 1.

ATTEND

NYC Jewelry Week Jewelry Jaunt: June 1, noon

Join NYC Jewelry Week founder Bella Neyman on a five-week exploration of New York City’s rich jewelry landscape. This curated course offers participants the unique opportunity to engage directly with some of the most remarkable and unconventional jewels created over the past two centuries. Through guided visits to distinguished public institutions and exclusive private collections, attendees will experience jewelry history firsthand.

JCK Las Vegas Education: May 31

State of the Colored Gemstone Industry: 11 a.m.

JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky leads a panel discussion about how customization and self-expression are reshaping what jewelry customers want—and why colored stones are at the center of it. (Showcase Stage)

Tailored Experiences: Meeting the Needs of Watch and Jewelry Shoppers: noon

Victoria Gomelsky is back with another panel of experts—three major retailers from around the country—but this time they’re talking about what it means to guide a first-time buyer, navigate a complex custom project, or introduce a tech-forward shopper to fine jewelry for the first time. From the sales floor to the design bench, panelists will discuss the conversations, processes, and instincts that turn browsers into loyal clients. (Spotlight Stage)

What Responsible Business Actually Looks Like in a Retail Environment: 1 p.m.

This panel, led by Brandee Dallow of Grandview Klein Diamonds and board president of Community for Ethical Jewelry, brings together retailers who are putting responsible principles into practice at their stores—from ethical sourcing and transparent storytelling to sustainable packaging and operational changes that customers actually notice. (Spotlight Stage)

Expanding Your Offerings: Specialty Items and Accessories for Jewelers: 4 p.m.

A select group of retailers and consultants, along with moderator Emili Vesilind of Gem + Jewel, discuss the advantages and challenges of buying and merchandising non-jewelry categories to sit alongside fine jewelry in stores. (Showcase Stage)

Your Brand, Your Story: Building and Growing Your Personal Brand: 3 p.m.

Moderated by Jen Cullen Williams, this session looks at how retail jewelers and industry professionals can shape their own identity while also supporting and elevating their company’s brand. Panelists from retail, brand, and agency backgrounds will share real-world insights on everything from social media and in-person presence to personal style. (Showcase Stage)

Top: Pendant with 0.57 ct. t.w. round, pear, and marquise diamonds in 18k yellow gold, $4,990; Uneek