Reading Time: 3 minutes The Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA), a non-profit trade association providing crime prevention information and services to the jewelry industry since 1883, has announced the release of the JSA 2023 Annual Crime Report. Among the findings: In 2023 the total dollar losses from crimes against U.S. jewelry firms reported to JSA was $133.2 million, a 2.9% increase from $129.4 million in 2022. In 2023 the total number of crimes committed against U.S. jewelry firms was 1,621, a decrease from 2,211 in 2022, which was the highest number of crimes JSA has ever recorded. The num ..read more

Reading Time: 6 minutes (NORWALK, Conn.) – JCK and its Industry Fund Committee are pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of its annual JCK Industry Fund grants totaling $341,000, an increase from last year. Since 1997, the fund has awarded over $7 million toward program grants to benefit the jewelry industry at large. The mission of the JCK Industry Fund is to support the jewelry industry’s long-term health, success and growth by providing grant funding to organizations with the vision and programming to drive sustainable improvements across the industry. “In our ongoing commitment to the in ..read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes (LAS VEGAS) – The American Gem Society’s (AGS) 2024 Conclave celebrated outstanding contributions and service within the AGS community through a series of awards. At the Tuesday breakfast general session, Amanda Coleman-Phelps, CGA, Chair of the International Guilds Council, presented the first of three awards, the Sallie Morton Award. This year, the award was given to Jewelers Mutual Group in recognition of their enduring partnership and substantial support to AGS since 2008. “Jewelers Mutual Group exemplifies the pinnacle of support to AGS and its members,” said Colem ..read more

Reading Time: 8 minutes Have you noticed some weird search results lately? You’re not alone. Google recently rolled out a major update cracking down on websites that use AI-generated content. What’s the big deal about AI content? AI content creation tools have become increasingly popular in recent years. These tools can quickly churn out articles, blog posts, and other content. However, there’s a problem: a lot of AI-generated content could be better. It can be inaccurate, repetitive, and even meaningless. How Did Google Catch On? Google is a pretty smart cookie. They’ve developed sophistica ..read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes (NEW YORK) – Jewelry brand Phillip Gavriel has announced the release of its Spring 2024 collection, including the new Venetian Link series. The collection was previewed exclusively to retailers at the Vicenzaoro show and several smaller tradeshows from earlier this year. For this new collection, designer Phillip Gavriel focused on his new Venetian Link assortment. The collection, handmade in Italy, pays tribute to the beauty of Venice and the chain synonymous with the iconic Italian city. In the region of Veneto, the box chain was first developed half a century ago as ..read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes(NEW YORK) – Virtual Diamond Boutique, the jewelry industry’s largest virtual marketplace and SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions provider, is rebranding as “VDB – Your Jewelry Tech Partner,” reflecting the evolution and expansion of its strategy, marketplace, and software solutions. The strategic pivot from its roots as a pioneering marketplace to a versatile provider of SaaS solutions marks a significant milestone in VDB’s journey of driving innovation, efficiency, and profitability across the jewelry industry’s entire ecosystem – from suppliers, brands, and manufa ..read more

Reading Time: 2 minutes There’s a potpourri of pooches at Retailworks, Inc., a commercial interior design/display firm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Meet, Max (little shaggy one with tongue), Sadie (brown, clipped ears), and Skylar (black & white lab mix). Max and Sadie drop in for occasional visits and belong to Heather Dryfka, a senior interior designer. Skylar comes to work on Tuesdays with Lisa Morgen, marketing and communications designer on Tuesdays. They’re all very sweet, love to get treats from the staff, and are part of the Retailworks family as well as Parker and Cocoa (not shown) wh ..read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes Welcome to the Pearls of Wisdom podcast. Today, we have a fantastic guest, Kate Marks of Marks of  Design, a well-known jewelry store that specializes in custom jewelry design in  Shelton,  Connecticut.  Kate will be pulling back the curtain on her most successful marketing events to give you an inside look at what it takes to spark interest, drive sales, and leave a lasting impression on your customers.  Have you ever wondered how to host successful online auctions? Kate shows how platforms like Facebook Live can be your best friend when it co ..read more

Reading Time: 2 minutes (CARLSBAD, Calif.) – GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is now offering printed AGS Ideal® Reports. This report complements a GIA diamond grading report to capture a diamond’s beauty holistically. The AGS Ideal Report measures light performance, including brightness, fire, and contrast, from center to edge. From April 15 to May 15, 2024, GIA is offering the printed version of the AGS Ideal Report for just $2.50, a 50% discount. This limited-time promotion is available globally. The AGS Ideal Report is available with the following GIA reports: Diamond Grading Report ..read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes (AUSTIN, Tex.) – John Carter, President of Jack Lewis Jewelers, has been awarded the Robert M. Shipley Award®, the most distinguished accolade from the American Gem Society (AGS). The honor was presented to Carter at the annual Robert M. Shipley Award® Luncheon at the AGS Conclave in Austin, Texas. John Carter (right) is presented with the 2024 Robert M. Shipley Award® by Clayton Bromberg. “John Carter is the most deserving recipient of the Robert M. Shipley Award. He’s been a true bridge builder, furthering the purpose and ideas of the American Gem Society,” said Clayt ..read more