10 education sessions to attend in Las Vegas

National Jeweler has looked through the educational seminars that JCK will offer in Las Vegas to bring jewelers the 10 presentations they should be sure to check out.

Brecken Branstrator brecken.branstrator@nationaljeweler.com

Las Vegas--JCK Las Vegas will host a number of educational seminars tailored for retailers’ business needs when the show opens next week.

The program will offer more than 70 different sessions over four days to help retailer jewelers improve their businesses. The seminars will be held from May 29 to June 1 at various rooms at the Mandalay Bay hotel.

Below, National Jeweler has highlighted 10 presentations that jewelers should be sure to check out while they’re in Las Vegas.

Thursday, May 29
11:45 to 12:45 p.m.
“The Influence of Fashion on Jewelry Design,” with Hal Rubenstein of Hal Rubenstein & Associates and Gabriel & Co. Jewelers
With decades of experience in the industry including serving as the style editor of the New York Times Magazine and then as fashion director of InStyle magazine, Rubenstein incorporates and promotes all levels of jewelry, from fine to costume, as integral elements of every person’s wardrobe.

2:30 to 3:45 p.m.
“20 Store Events Worth Stealing,” with Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers
Calhoun has come up with clever ways to connect with her customers, creating in-store events that leave a lasting impression on shoppers. In this seminar, she will discuss how creative jewelers have proven to be when it comes to orchestrating events, as well as encourage the crowd to tap into their own imagination to see what they can come up with.

Friday, May 30
10 to 11:15 a.m.
“Update on Synthetic Diamonds,” with Jim Shigley of the Gemological Institute of America
This presentation will review the GIA’s research into synthetic diamonds and will summarize how they’re identified by gemologists and gem-testing laboratories. Shigley will also review DiamondCheck, the new GIA instrument used to distinguish natural diamonds from possible synthetics, treated diamonds and simulants.

1 to 2:15 p.m.
“Synthetic Diamond Disclosure," a panel discussion moderated by Thomas Gelb of the National Color Diamond Association with panelists Cecilia Gardner of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Charles Stanley of Forevermark Jim Shigley of the GIA, and Ronnie Vanderlinden of the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America
This forum on synthetic diamond disclosure will discuss what others in the industry are doing about this important topic and what audience members should do as well.

2:30 to 3:45 p.m.
“Gemstones Through Time: A Glimpse at Period Jewelry,” with Jack Ghazalian of Gemological Insurance Appraisers and Rodriquez & Sons Estate Jewelers
This seminar will journey

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into the history of gemstones, from ancient civilization to the discovery of the lapidary, and how gemstones became part of finished jewelry. It will also give an overview of gemstones in vintage period jewelry and across eras, including Victorian, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Art Deco and contemporary jewelry.

4 to 5 p.m.
“De Beers’ Perspectives on the Diamond Industry,” a panel moderated by Rob Bates of JCK with Philippe Mellier of the De Beers Group and Stephen Lussier of De Beers and Forevermark
Join senior De Beers officials at this keynote address that will review global trends and the challenges that come with changing consumer preferences. A networking reception will follow.

Saturday, May 31
10 to 11:15 a.m.
“Five Market Forces That Are Changing Our Industry,” a panel moderated by Ben Janowksi of Janos Consultants with panelists Abe Sherman of Buyers Intelligence Group, Lita Asscher of Royal Asscher of America, Russell Shor of the GIA, and Stephen Kraus of Audience Measurement Group, Ipsos MediaCT
The panel will cover fundamental demographic and structural changes in how, where and why consumers are buying and how those are changing retailing and merchandising. Topics will include “The Rise of Man-made Diamonds,” “The Evolution of Retailing,” “Are we Ready for the Millennials,” “Experientialism and Environmentalism,” and “The End of Growth?”

11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
“Bitcoin and the Jewelry Industry: What You Need to Know,” with Jacques Voorhees of Verichannel, Julian Tosh of CoinBus, and Sara Yood of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee
This seminar will include a complete discussion to help jewelers understand the basics of Bitcoin, including what it is, how it works, how it’s regulated and who controls it. They will also address how jewelers can use Bitcoin payment processing to cut costs and increase sales.

1 to 2:15 p.m.
“Smart Watches: Will this Impact the Watch Business?” with Jan Brassem of Main Brace Global Partners
As an observer of the effect the current group of smartwatches will have on the watch industry, Brassem will discuss his thoughts on how the new watch technology could not only transform the watch industry but the entire retail jewelry scene.

Sunday, June 1
10 to 11:15 a.m.
“The 3-D Printing Revolution,” a panel moderated by Peggy Jo Donahue of the MJSA with panelists Joshua St. John of 3D Systems, Mike Joyce of B9Creator, Steven Adler of A3DM Technologies, and Tom Dougherty of Dougherty Enterprises
The recent amount of innovation in Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) technology is making it possible to grow models for casting in-store. This panel will give an update on the latest developments and how these technologies are transforming jewelry-making.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.