JCK Jewelry Agenda: Week of Oct. 3

By Victoria Gomelsky | September 30, 2021

Two of the industry’s most important buying fairs, the Istanbul Jewelry Show and JIS Miami, open this week, an ocean apart. But the shopping opportunities don’t end there. An online charity auction benefiting women in Afghanistan closes tomorrow, so there’s still time to pick up a fetching piece of jewelry and do some good while you’re at it. And history nerds, don’t miss Gem X’s Wednesday webinar on the Cheapside Hoard—the story behind its cache of 17th-century jewels is magnificent!

LISTEN

The Jewelry District, Episode 53 (ongoing)

In the latest episode of The Jewelry District, JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates speak to Sean Kell, the CEO of Blue Nile, about how his company survived the pandemic, the brand’s plans for the future, and his views on the industry, covering everything from the value of brick-and-mortar to his expectations for the holiday season.

BID

Jewellers for Afghanistan Charity Auction: Concludes Oct. 4 (online)

Shaun Leane Silver Diamond Tusk Bangle — *Shaun Leane silver and diamond tusk bangle; est. £1,000–£1,500 ($1,344–$2,017)*

The Jewellers for Afghanistan charity auction spearheaded by London-based jewelry publicist Rosie Lillis concludes on Oct. 4. Staged online by the London fine art auction house Roseberys, the sale features pieces donated by 25 acclaimed British jewelers, including Annoushka, Christopher Thompson Royds, Liv Luttrell, Minka Jewels, Pippa Small, Shaun Leane, Solange Azagury-Partridge, and Theo Fennell. One hundred percent of proceeds (Roseberys has offered to waive its fees) will go directly to Women for Afghan Women, a grassroots women’s rights organization helping to evacuate and provide urgent resources, shelter, and care to vulnerable women and children during the current crisis.

Hindman Timepieces Auction: Oct. 5, 11 a.m. ET (in person and online)

Hindman Oct 5 watch auction All the biggies are represented in Hindman’s Timepieces auction on Oct. 5, including Patek Philippe, Rolex, IWC, Ulysse Nardin, and Cartier. From antique pocket watches to dress watches by Chopard, Fred, and Piaget, the sale emphasizes pieces that are collectible.

ATTEND

Pure Earth Benefit Bash 2021: Oct. 4, 6 p.m. ET (in person and online)

Dana Bronfman three fancy greens montana sapphire ring — *Three Fancy Greens ring with Montana kite-shape and Australian round brilliant and emerald-cut green sapphires with 0.1 ct. t.w. diamonds, $5,885; Dana Bronfman*

Pure Earth, a global NGO tackling toxic pollution issues affecting the health of millions of people, primarily children, all over the globe, is holding its annual Benefit Bash tomorrow evening at the Edison Ballroom in midtown Manhattan (as well as virtually). Jewelry designer Dana Bronfman is being honored with the Pure Gold Award for her work with the organization, which is committed to helping artisanal gold miners and reforestation of the Amazon rainforest. The benefit raises money for Pure Earth’s life-saving projects in the field. It will also feature a Broadway performance, great food, open bar, and more!

Gem X Webinar on the Cheapside Hoard: Oct. 6, 12 p.m. ET (online)

You won’t want to miss this Gem X webinar with Hazel Forsyth, a curator at the Museum of London, who will be discussing the Cheapside Hoard, the greatest cache of Elizabethan and Jacobean jewelry in the world, thought to have been buried for safekeeping by a jeweler leaving to fight in the English Civil Wars of 1642 to 1651. The hoard was discovered in 1912, when a worker on a demolition crew in London broke through the floorboards of 30–32 Cheapside and struck a wooden casket. Inside was one of the most remarkable and spectacular finds ever recovered from British soil, including beautiful examples of Colombian emeralds, Burmese rubies, and Brazilian topaz. This is your opportunity to peek inside this unparalleled time capsule!

Istanbul Jewelry Show: Oct. 7–10 (in person)

Istanbul near hagia sophia — *(Photo: Getty Images Plus/Kateryna Kukota)*

Live from the CNR Expo Istanbul Fair Center, the Istanbul Jewelry Show is back and ready to welcome buyers in search of loose stones, finished jewelry, designer collections, packaging, and machinery. A nexus for jewelers from East and West, the event is a great excuse to explore this beautiful city on the Bosporus, where Turkey’s 7,000-year-old history of jewelry comes alive at every turn.

The JIS October Show in Miami: Oct. 8–11 (in person)

Designs by Sevan dancing stars earrings — *Yellow gold Midnight Cloud With Stars earrings ($3,300) by first-time JIS exhibitor Designs by Sevan*

When JIS October opens at the Miami Beach Convention Center on Oct. 8, attendees will have the opportunity to shop more than 500 domestic and international exhibitors, 100 of whom are showing at JIS for the first time. On Saturday and Sunday of the show, Tiffany Bayley will lead sessions on how to thrive on Facebook Live and capitalize on livestreaming in general. “I have a format with all the keys to unlock a ton of hidden revenue—waiting for you,” says Bayley. “Hope to see you in Miami!”

Top: Clip ring in 18k rose gold with 0.41 ct. pink sapphire, €2,760 ($3,193); Gismondi 1754