A panel on synthetic diamonds, the American Gem Society’s first mini conclave, and an appearance from an African government official are among the notable educational events at this year’s JCK show in Las Vegas.
On Friday, May 30, the Natural Color Diamond Association will host a panel discussion on Synthetic Diamonds. The topics covered will be lab-grown diamonds and how the trade should react to them.
Panelists include: Cecilia Gardner, Jewelers Vigilance Committee; Charles Stanley, Forevermark; Ronnie Vanderlinden, Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association; Dr. James Shigley, GIA; Thomas Gelb, NCDIA; and Alan Bronstein, Aurora Gems. Rob Bates of JCK will moderate.
Synthetic diamonds are also the subject of a panel on Thursday, May 29, hosted by the American Gemologists Association.
On Saturday, May 31, the American Gem Society will hold a one-day mini version of its signature annual Conclave, called Conclave X-Press. The event is open to both members and nonmembers and costs a fraction of the standard Conclave.
The five presentations include: the Tanzanite Foundation’s Hayley Henning on “Tanzanite: The Story Behind the Stone” from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 am; sales guru Dave Mitchell on “The Power of Understanding People” from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.; Skydas International on “Daily Operations and Trade Show Security” from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.; AGS Laboratories’ Peter Yantzer on “Light Performance for Dummies” from 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.; and Ben Bridge’s Lisa Bridge on “Making Millennials Work for You” from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
“We had one of the most successful Conclaves that we’ve had in years this past April,” noted Ruth Batson, CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories, in a statement. “Conclave X-Press gives AGS members a chance to get another taste of Conclave without having to wait till next year, and [allows] nonmembers to experience the high-level of talent we have at our annual educational conference.”
Registration and more information is available here.
On Sunday, June 1, the honorable Onkokame Kitso Mokaila, Botswana’s minister of minerals, energy and water resources, will speak at the annual Rapaport Breakfast held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the South Seas Ballroom of Mandalay Bay.
The minister will provide a brief presentation outlining Botswana’s aspirations for its diamond and jewelry industry. Martin Rapaport will then follow with his annual “State of the Diamond Industry” address at the breakfast, highlighting the role played by retail jewelers.
Rapaport will also hold its traditional Certification Conference and Fair Trade Jewelry Conference. Details available here.
A complete guide to JCK Las Vegas education can be seen here.
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