Live September 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. MT / 1:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. ET
On-Demand Through December 31, 2024

AGS Homepage  |  Contact Us  |  Member Portal
Facebook Youtube Instagram
Facebook Youtube Instagram

Speakers of Confluence 2024

We’ve built an impressive roster of jewelry industry experts who will explore essential topics in the diamond sector. From mastering the narrative of natural diamonds to understanding lab-grown diamond pricing and supply dynamics, and discovering methods in diamond identification and screening, our speakers will provide invaluable insights. 

Wade Abel, CG

American Gem Society

Wade holds a Certified Gemologist® (CG) title from AGS, is a Graduate Gemologist® with GIA, and has a degree in Business Management from WGU. He joined AGS Laboratories in 2014 and moved through various roles, concluding with Director of Gemological Services. When AGS Laboratories closed in 2022, he moved into his role at AGS. He is a subject matter expert in gemology and is committed to enhancing education initiatives, collaborating closely with AGS committees and members.

Raluca Anghel

Natural Diamond Council

Raluca Anghel is responsible for Natural Diamond Council’s (NDC) global external engagement and public affairs while also spearheading communication and marketing efforts in Europe. Previously, Anghel coordinated Microsoft’s European storytelling agenda before transitioning to the European Parliament. Prior to joining NDC, Raluca held the role of Spokesperson for the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council.
 

Guy Borenstein

Stuller Inc.

Guy Borenstein is Stuller’s Director of Gem Procurement and Senior Gemologist, leading comprehensive diamond screening and gemological testing operations at the company’s global facilities. Besides directing fully-equipped, high-volume gemological laboratory operations, he continuously researches for evolving new technology-based screening and identification solutions to adopt into the company’s internal workflow processes.
 

John Cason

GIA

John Cason joined the GIA education team with more than 15 years of jewelry industry experience. His diverse work history includes diamond buying in Antwerp, jewelry manufacturing, and jewelry sales. After more than ten years in the trade, John received his Graduate Gemologist (GG) diploma from GIA. He has education credentials in jewelry design and manufacture, and multimedia technologies. In his spare time, John received his Instructor Certification from the United States Power Squadron in Oceanside, California, where he taught boating safety and sailing skills.
 

Joel Hassler, CGA

Von Hasle Jewelers

An industry veteran who started in 2000, Joel Hassler, CGA, is a retailer and consultant on store operations, but appraising is where his true passion lies. Joel is Chair of the AGS Appraisal Standards Committee, a member of the Gem Sciences Committee, and CGA instructor for new and aspiring CGAs. Joel has helped clients all over the country, including trade work for retailers, directly with consumers, the U.S. Treasury Department, and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
 

Randall Lightfoot, CG

Mayflower Estate Buyers & Consulting

Randy Lightfoot, CG, earned a BA in geology, with a focus on mineralogy, where he presented research at the Geological Society of America (GSA) conference in Kalamazoo, MI, in 2013. Randy was a diamond grader for the GIA and currently works at Mayflower Estate Buyers & Consulting in Towson, MD, as a gemologist-appraiser. His work can be found in “Cross-Polarized Filters as a Clue to Diamond Origin” in Issue 2, 2022, of Spectra magazine, co-authored with Wade Abel, CG.

David Mazer, CG

Marks Jewelers

David Mazer, CG, is a fourth-generation jeweler, a Registered Jeweler and Certified Gemologist with AGS, a Graduate Gemologist, earned in residence from the GIA, and a personal property appraiser specializing in diamonds, jewelry, and fine watches.

Dr. James Shigley

GIA

Distinguished research fellow at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California, where he helps direct GIA’s research activities. Prior to joining GIA in 1982, he studied geology as an undergraduate at the University of California Berkeley and later received his doctorate in geology from Stanford University. Dr. Shigley is the author of more than 180 published articles on diamonds and other gemstones in various journals, and has been a well-known speaker on gemological topics to both professional and general audiences on more than 300 occasions.
 
 

Abe Sherman

BIG, Buyers Intelligence Group

Abe Sherman understands the challenges faced by retailers and vendors and is dedicated to consistently improving the jewelry industry. Since 2000, Buyers Intelligence Group (BIG) has continually developed new approaches to overcome those challenges. BIG is comprised of three divisions: Balance to Buy™, Plexus Performance Groups™, and The BIG Network™. Balance to Buy™ is an online merchandising system that interfaces with more than 36 point-of-sale systems. BIG’s consulting team of merchandising professionals works closely with retailers to improve cash flow, inventory performance, and net profit. Plexus Performance Groups™ are invitation-only peer groups that evaluate members’ organizations and marketplaces, and benchmarks inventory and financials within group members. Merchandising and financial education are at the core of Plexus training. The BIG Network™ facilitates retailers sharing sales and inventory data with more than 100 of the industry’s top brands. Sherman is the author of many published articles and newsletters that can be found at bigjewelers.com/category/author-abesherman.

Sara E. Yood, Esq.

Jewelers Vigilance Committee

Sara Yood is President, CEO & General Counsel at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, a non-profit trade association that serves as the ethical heart of the jewelry industry. Yood’s expertise includes IP, fashion law, anti-money laundering regulations, sanctions compliance, sustainability, and responsible sourcing. She also serves as corporate secretary on the board of the U.S. Kimberly Process Authority and on the Standards Committee of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).

Stanley Zale

Hill & Co.

A 40-year industry veteran, Stanley began as a diamond sawyer. He represented Zale’s at the DeBeers Sights and managed their productions of rough to polished. He spent 17 years leading the diamond and gemstones businesses at Stuller. They began screening and detecting undisclosed lab-grown diamonds (ULGDs) in 2012. He arranged for GIA to open a branch of its Melee Analysis Service inside of Stuller in 2018. He is a member of various industry boards.
 

We are profoundly grateful to our Presenting Sponsor, GIA, whose generous support has made it possible for us to bring you these distinguished industry speakers.

GIA Logo

Copyright © 2024 American Gem Society