Member News

Conclave’s educational sessions cover a diverse range of topics that will help you level up your training and increase your professional knowledge. Here are nine sessions of note to add to your Conclave 2022 schedule. Monday, April 25, 2022 The Critical Importance of Brand Messaging Strategy / 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. CT Tammy Cohen, TC Brand Consulting The importance of brand messaging is paramount when building a brand. It has been lost on most people in business and this is because the term “branding” has been muddied and morphed into another realm that revolves around the question, “How much for a

We’re hearing good things about the renaissance that Oklahoma City, OK has undergone, and the rich activities this beautiful city offers. So, we reached out to a member of the AGS International Board of Directors, Mitchell Clark, CG, and asked him and his team at BC Clark Jewelers in OKC for their advice on where to go and what to do. They gave us an extensive list with a short review of each! Events Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon – April 24 The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is a Boston qualifying USATF sanctioned event on a certified 26.2-mile single-loop course. It’s

The countdown to Conclave is underway. It will be great to see the AGS community take over Oklahoma City! Your health and safety are a top priority for us throughout the event and during your stay at the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel. To support a safe and comfortable experience, we have implemented policies and guidelines. Please click the button below to review the COVID-19 Protocols and for more information about what you can expect at Conclave. Safety Protocols We will continue to monitor guidelines from public health authorities and government agencies going forward and will make appropriate adjustments in the

One of the most rewarding benefits of Conclave is the relationships that are built during the social and networking events available to the AGS community. Catch up with fellow Guildies at the Guilds Party, make new friends while waiting for your professional headshot, or cheer on your teammates during the Young Titleholders’ Trivia Night. There’s a variety of opportunities to mix and mingle with like-minded professionals! Sunday, April 24 MENTOR MIXER / 5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Location: Scissortail Terrace at the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel Sponsored by: GIA Alumni Collective After you check-in and unpack, head over to the

Founded in 2008 and headquartered outside of Washington, D.C., WD Lab Grown Diamonds specializes in “As Grown” and untreated laboratory-grown diamonds. They hold exclusive rights to a portfolio of patents covering single crystal Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond growth technology, developed by the Carnegie Institution of Washington. Since its inception, WD has solidified its leadership position in the diamond industry, leveraging its patented and proprietary processes to create high-quality, guaranteed-origin, and fully traceable diamonds. We reached out to Nanci Kirczow, Director of Sales at WD, to learn how they are helping to protect retailers and consumers and to hear about

We’ve gathered three articles from AGS PRO that will help you and your team be ready for customers, no matter what the season. How to Train Your Salespeople Efficiently By James “Jimmy” DeGroot, JewelryStoreTraining.com Jimmy DeGroot discusses the importance of frequently and effectively training your sales staff through ongoing and daily communication. Click here to view the article. What Jewelers Should Know About Employment Practices Before Hiring Seasonal Help By Jewelers Mutual® Group As a manager or business owner, one of the decisions you have to make includes hiring seasonal employees. Learn about the Employment Practices Liability Act to protect

Are you looking to advance your career and become a Certified Gemologist (CG)? The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is once again funding the AGS/GIA Beatrice Shipley Scholarship! This scholarship is named in honor of Beatrice Shipley—a business partner, confidante, and operations manager—who contributed so much to both AGS and GIA following their founding by her husband, Robert M. Shipley. AGS members who would like to earn the AGS Certified Gemologist (CG) title, and are in good standing, are eligible to apply for the scholarship. GIA will fund the full cost for the on-campus Graduate Gemologist (GG) Program in New

After an extensive search by Phillip Bosen, CG, of Bosen Associates LLC, Julius Klein Diamonds (JKD) is pleased to announce that William Frost will be joining their team. “With over 25 years of experience in all sectors of the jewelry business, it is a natural progression and a privilege to join the team at Julius Klein Diamonds,” said Frost. Frost has developed a strong reputation for having the highest integrity and always doing right by his clients and friends. His skills and many outstanding, long-term relationships make him a great fit with JKD. JKD is grateful for its mutual association

Cos Altobelli, ECGA, has recently updated his industry-standard book, The Practical Guide to Jewelry Appraising, Fourth Edition. First published in 1986, this book has served as the definitive guide to professionalism in jewelry appraising. The book is the summation of author Cos Altobelli’s expertise and decades of experience in the jewelry industry. The newly updated Fourth Edition ensures that the guidance contained in the book will be relevant and timely for years to come. American Gem Society jeweler, Pieter Andries Hye, CGA, Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of Belgium, and Founder & CEO of the Pieter Andries Companies, in collaboration

By Jewelers Mutual Group Last year’s trade show season was like no other. Our focus was directed away from the norm and towards the unprecedented; pivoting our business strategy to facilitate meaningful connections virtually. Now that in-person trade shows are on the horizon once again, it’s important to refresh your memory on the jewelry security measures necessary for in-person events. With extravagant booths, award-winning designs, and the opportunity to meet new customers and greet existing ones, it may seem like more of a celebration than a business affair. Don’t forget who else may be in attendance, though. Criminals mark their