The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) this week announced four new directors from its annual AGTA board of directors election.

Taking office in February 2027 are: Dudley Blauwet (Dudley Blauwet Gems), Sailesh Lakhi (Sparkles and Colors USA Inc. and Lakhi Gems Group), Cynthia Renee Marcusson (Cynthia Renee Inc.), and Ron Rahmanan (Sara Gem Corp.).

“I am pleased to welcome and congratulate our newly elected directors as they join the board,” AGTA president Bruce Bridges said in a statement. “Their experience and leadership will strengthen our ability to address the challenges ahead and advance the interests of our association and the broader colored gemstone industry. Together, we will remain focused on strengthening our community, upholding the highest standards, and supporting the industry’s continued growth and success.”

Here is a look at what else made JCK’s collective brain click this week.

News Worth Reading

Hodinkee gets a look at the new Apple watch…and there’s not much new to see or say.

Oil prices rise above $100, and the world’s markets feel some kind of way about it.

The National Retail Federation says imports are still going strong into September.

Kering for the first time debuts its Kering Generation Award in India.

A Diamond Is Forever highlights the conversations about life, jewelry, and diamonds between Baron Davis and Mo Bamba.

Luxury brands are looking at the U.S. market to keep their financials afloat. But Business of Fashion says that may not be the right approach. (subscription needed)

Another art theft, and experts say there are more to come.

Completely unacceptable: Watch trader and influencer Nico Leonard told WatchPro he received a death threat after criticizing Christopher Ward watches as “an embarrassment” and “a copy machine with a logo on it”.

Succession news: Richemont names Anton Rupert as nonexecutive co-deputy chairman of the board, serving alongside Bram Schot, nonexecutive co-deputy chairman.

Marco Valente adds a new workshop in Milan, opening Progetto Misurata as a state-of-the-art hub dedicated to goldsmithing and craftsmanship. (subscription needed)

The Wall Street Journal looks at consumer behavior around returns, and they aren’t happy with the procedure at many retailers. (subscription required)

Obsessions

The world is finally taking jewelry seriously, the Literary Jewelry Box says.

Thanks, Kendall Jenner. We all want Calder earrings now.

Thanks, Jeff Koons. Now we want whatever you’re going to make with Hublot, too.

Venice was overrun with beautiful jewelry as part of Venice Film Festival activities.

Want to work for Snoop Dogg? He’s looking for someone who is interested in a natural product many people love…no, not that one. Sorry, it’s ice cream.

Podcast Queue

The 1916 Company podcast goes deep on sports watches. Play on!

Carol Woolton speaks to best-selling author Katherine Howe about the secrets of the Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney papers.

The Unearthed podcast looks at how volatile August was for gold and asks what debts, deficits, and debasement means for investors.

The Business of Watches does a market roundup of Geneva Watch Days releases with Tim Jeffreys and TanTan Wang.

In the Loupe sits down with Jewelers for Children executive director Sarah Murphy and board member Ross Wesdorp.

Video Yaya

Avi Krawitz talks to Reena Ahluwalia about her art and her painting honored during the CIBJO congress in Vicenza.

Mining.com gets into where silver and silver prices might go for the second half of 2026.

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