Holiday Gift Ideas for the Socially Conscious: Jewelry Gifts That Give Back

The shopping days are winding down for the 2016 Holiday season, but you don’t have to panic yet. I have a few ideas that are not only perfect for last minute, but they give back in some way or another, too! The Gift of Education…

November 4-5, 2016 Initiatives in Art and Culture: Pioneers

I attended the Initiatives in Art and Culture Gold Conference in April of 2016, and was struck by how singular–and enlightening–the experience was. As a presenter, I had an opportunity to share ideas about social media and responsible sourcing…

#idazzletravels: Come See Me at the Initiatives in Art and Culture Gold Conference!

This has been an exciting (and poignant) year so far. There is a lot going on in the jewelry world, and I’m trying to participate where I can. In addition to writing about interesting designers and traveling to trade shows to see the latest collections…

Legacy: An Interview with Ruth Batson, American Gem Society CEO

It is a little bittersweet for the jewelry industry that Ruth Batson, the Executive Director and CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Gem Laboratories, announced that she is retiring in 2017. We’re happy that she has reached a point where she feels it is time to…

#BeTheChange: The Jewelry Industry Summit March 2016

I just returned from the first inaugural Jewelry Industry Summit, March 11-13 2016, in New York City. I came to the Summit thinking that I want to be part of the dialogue about responsible sourcing in the jewelry industry, and was curious about how this conference…

The Jewelry Industry Summit March 2016

I had a very enjoyable and informative discussion with Lisa Bridge, of Ben Bridge Jeweler, in her office in downtown Seattle. As we passed a room full of watchmakers working on customer repairs, Lisa explained the roots of the family business…

Come See Jewelry Bloggers at #JCKTalks in Las Vegas

Las Vegas Jewelry Week. The phrase that strikes awe (first- or even second-timers), abject anxiety (designers frantically finishing collections) or high-voltage excitement in the hearts of jewelry industry people. It’s now less that 2 weeks from opening day…

There Is No Such Thing As A Semi-Precious Gem

We need to ditch the semi-precious phrase. Stat.

In our overwhelming human need to stratify and rank, the jewelry industry ended up with a few arbitrary jewels crowned as the pinnacle. “Precious” gemstones: ruby, sapphire, and emerald. The rest: lumped…

American Jewelry Design Council AJDC Exhibit Goes to Kent State University

The inspiring “Variations on a Theme” exhibit of one-of-a-kind creations by forty of America’s most influential jewelry designers is moving on. After spending seven successful months at the venerable Forbes Galleries…

Social Media Success and The Women’s Jewelry Association

Ok, a quick show of hands: who is afraid of Twitter? Paralyzed by Google+? Confused by Klout? Last week, my friend and fellow jewelry writer/blogger, Erika Winters and I asked those very questions, when we presented our strategies and tips for Social Media…