August 13, 2026

Talent and security are on the agenda for Jewelers Mutual Group at Conclave 2026. Their two sessions cover recruiting through their collaboration with SCAD’s jewelry program and the state of organized retail crime heading into the coming year. Recruit Top Jeweler Talent: Connecting AGS Members With Top Talent from SCAD’s Jewelry ProgramModerator: Mark Smelzer, Jewelers Mutual GroupPanelists: Jennifer Markas, Jewelers Mutual Group; Kevin Mays, CGA, JEA, John Mays Jewelers; Eleanor Twiford, SCAD; Jaimie Vela, SCAD Tuesday, September 15, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. ET As part of AGS’s support of the Bench Education Endowment initiative by Jewelers Mutual (JM) and its collaboration

Colored gemstones and jewelry are on track to be one of the strongest categories this holiday season. The jewelers who can speak to color with confidence are the ones who close the sale. Several Conclave sessions go past the basics and into the detail that turns a browsing customer into a buyer. If selling more color is a goal this year, these are worth adding to your schedule: Creating Collectors the Crayola WayShelly Sergent, Somewhere In The Rainbow Tuesday, September 15, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. ET Gem merchants, retail owners, staff, and clients all agree that describing color can be difficult.