Updated May 29, 1 p.m. EDT

The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused the cancellation, rescheduling, and temporary closures of many stores and industry events.

As we receive word of these—and the events announce new dates and the stores eventually reopen—JCK will add them to this running list, which we plan to update daily. And since a lot of organizations are now holding webinars, we will list them, too.

Send any info you would like to see included here.

– The Indian Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Show, originally scheduled for September in Mumbai, India, will instead be held virtually June 1–4. Register here.

– The Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show, originally slated for late summer, has been postponed until Nov. 12–15. It will held at the Baltimore Convention Center.

– The OroArezzo jewelry show, which was supposed to take place in July at the Arezzo Expo Centre, in Arrezo, Italy, will not take place in 2020. Its next edition is slated for 2021. In the meantime, it has created OroArezzo On Stage, which will provide a virtual window into exhibitors’ creations.

– The Couture Jewelry Show will hold a seminar on how jewelers can reopen safely on May 27 at 12 p.m. EDT. It will be hosted by John Kennedy, president of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance. Register here.

– The American Gem Trade Association plans to move forward with its scheduled AGTA Spectrum Awards competition and as well as the annual editor’s event on Oct. 26 in New York City.

– James Avery will have 62 of its stores reopened in Texas as of May 22. Its safety standards can be seen here.

– On May 18, Swarovski decided to reopen stores in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.

– The American Gem Society has canceled its annual Circle of Distinction dinner, scheduled for July 28 at the Plaza hotel in New York City. The group never announced honorees for this year’s event. This will mark only the second time the society has canceled the Circle of Distinction dinner, which began in 2000. The first time was during the 2009 recession.

–  CIBJO is hosting the webinar “Return to Business: Communicating Jewellery’s Unique Appeal in a Market Emerging From a Health Crisis” on May 28 at 9 a.m. EDT. It features David Kellie, CEO of the Diamond Producers Association; Huw Daniel, CEO of Platinum Guild International and president of CIBJO’s Precious Metals Commission; Jennifer Heebner, executive director of the Cultured Pearl Association of America; and Emmanuel Piat, owner of Maison Piat, who also is vice president of CIBJO’s Colored Stone Commission. Register here.

– The Jewelers Board of Trade is hosting a webinar on “Best Practices on Protecting Your Rights a Creditor” on May 28 at 2 p.m. EDT. It will feature Timothy Wan, senior partner and CEO of Smith Carroad Levy Wan & Parikh. Register here.

– The JA New York summer show, originally scheduled for Aug. 9–12, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, has been canceled. Organizer Emerald Expositions is still planning to hold its fall JA New York event Oct. 25–27, also at the Javits Center. An FAQ on the cancellation can be seen here.

– The GIA is reopening several of its labs. GIA’s laboratories in Johannesburg and Tokyo opened on May 7. Visitors must make an appointment to visit the Johannesburg laboratory. The Tokyo location will accept and return items by transport only. Its labs in Antwerp, Belgium, and Gaborone, Botswana, opened on May 11, but the Antwerp lab is by appointment only. The laboratory in Carlsbad, Calif., opened on May 18 and will accept submissions via shipment only. The GIA Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Ramat Gan, Israel, laboratories remain open.

– The American Gem Society Laboratories has reopened, part of Nevada’s phase one reopening. Its parent organization, the American Gem Society, has stayed open, with employees working remotely.

– ASBA USA pearls and fine jewelry has reopened in Sarasota, Fla., as has its factory in Bangkok.

– Joshua J. Fine Jewelry, based in Los Angeles, has reopened.

– The Plumb Club is hosting “You’re Reopening: Make It Safe/Make the Sale,” a webinar to help retailers manage the new normal, on May 27 at 2 p.m. EDT. Speaking will be Tiffany Stevens, president and CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee; Kristie Nicolosi, president and CEO of the Kingswood Co.; and Kate Peterson, founder and president of Performance Concepts. Register here.

– MJSA is holding a variety of webinars, hosted by Andrea Hill, CEO of Hill Management.

“Mapping Your Business: Where to Go From Here,” will be held May 21 at 1 p.m. EDT. Register here.

“The New Retail Forecast: Back in Business” will be held May 26 at 1 p.m. EDT. It will feature Pam Levine of Levine Luxury Branding; Marla Aaron of Marla Aaron Jewelry; and Dave Kepron, author of Retail (r)Evolution. Register here.

“Let’s Talk about Money” will be held May 28 at 1 p.m. EDT. It will feature Erich Jacobs of the Jewelers Board of Trade and other experts. Register here.

– GIA will hold a webinar on “An Exclusive View of the Jade Auction” on May 21 at 1 p.m. EDT. Speaking will be Dr. Tao Hsu, director of global professional development at GIA Education.  Register here.

– JCK has added more webinars and guidance to its COVID-19 resource page, including information on how people can safely reopen, covering both health and legal issues. It can be seen here.

– Tacori is reopening. “We’re moving forward in California to safely protect our Tacori Artisans and essential Operations so that our retail partners can place their Tacori orders with confidence,” the jeweler said.

– The Atlanta Jewelry Show, originally scheduled for Aug. 8–10, will now take place Oct. 24–25 at the Cobb Galleria Centre, with a preshow conference on Oct. 23. Story here.

– The Platinum Guild International is offering facilitated online sales training to retailers. These Zoom sessions will generally include a 30-minute interactive tutorial facilitated by PGI vice president Kevin Reilly, followed by a 15-minute question and answer period. To register, email kreilly@pgiglobal.com.

– CIBJO is holding a webinar on “The COVID Effect: Impact on Mining and Mining Communities” on May 21 at 9 a.m. EDT. Speaking will be Feriel Zerouki, senior vice president of international and ethical initiatives at the De Beers Group; Peter Karakchiev, head of the international relations department at Alrosa; and Estelle Levin-Nally, founder of Levin Sources. Register here.

– The American Gem Society and Diamonds Do Good are hosting a webinar on “Taking Back the ‘Ethical’ Narrative: How Telling the Natural Diamond Story Will Boost Sales,” on May 20 at 11 a.m. EDT.  Speakers will be Nancy Orem Lyman, executive director, Diamonds Do Good; Marcus ter Haar, managing director, Okavango Diamond Co.; Dov Tannenbaum, principal, Leo Schachter Diamonds; and Kathy Corey, owner, Day’s Jewelers. Register here.

– InStore is hosting a webinar, “How to Produce Marketing Content That Works,” on May 19, at 2 p.m. It will feature Andrea Hill of Hill Management Group. Register here.

– The Independent Jewelers Organization has canceled its 2020 conference, originally scheduled for July 24–28 in Baltimore. Story here.

– Simon Property Group,  the largest mall operator in the United States, plans to have half of its 200 properties reopened this week, according to CNBC.

– The Horological Society of New York is now offering virtual horological tutoring classes online. More information here.

– CIBJO is holding a seminar, “Sustainability: More Relevant Post-COVID Than Ever Before,” on May 14 at 7 a.m. EDT. Speaking will be Philip Olden, president of CIBJO’s Responsible Sourcing Commission; Iris Van der Veken, executive director of the Responsible Jewellery Council; and Christina Miller, founder of Christina T. Miller Sustainable Jewelry Consulting. Register here.

– Stuller’s headquarters in Lafayette, La., has reopened for business, with its manufacturing—including casting, metal fabrication, stone setting, and engraving—CAD/CAM services, and customer service functions, including phone services and live chat, all up and running. More information here.

– The Gemological Institute of America is making introductory online courses in diamonds, colored stones, and jewelry essentials available at no cost for first-time enrollees, through June 29. Students who complete all three courses may earn a GIA Applied Jewelry Professional diploma. For additional details and to apply, visit its site. (UPDATE: GIA says it’s reached “capacity” for these classes and is no longer taking new applications.)

– Baselworld has canceled its 2021 edition, originally scheduled for Jan. 28–Feb. 3, 2021. Story here.

– Jewelers of America’s national convention, originally scheduled to take place in New York City in July, will be held virtually May 26–28. Story here.

– The Woman’s Jewelry Association will hold a seminar on “How to Sell Jewelry on Instagram” on May 8 at 4 p.m. EDT. It will feature digital marketing expert Liz Kantner and fine jewelry designer Delphine Leymarie. Register here.

– Alrosa will temporarily suspend mining works at Aikhal underground mine and Zarya open pit from May 15. The mining at Aikhal will be put on care and maintenance from May 15 to Sept. 30, and from May 15 to Dec. 31 at Zarya. Zarya employs 180 people; Aikhal, 502. These two pipes operate with lowest margins due to the quality of the diamonds mined there.

– The Antwerp diamond industry restarted activities on Monday. Antwerp World Diamond Centre and the Federation of Belgium Diamond Bourses have acquired 4,000 face masks that they will distribute to members of the Antwerp diamond industry. Hand sanitizers will be installed at hot spots such as entrances and elevators, and reminders to respect social distancing will be placed throughout the diamond district. The groups are calling on the industry to relinquish its traditional summer recess. They have also developed a guide to restarting your diamond business, which can be seen here.

– WatchPro reports that Rolex is planning to reopen its watchmaking facilities, and Patek Philippe has already done so. Kering brands Girard- Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin are planning gradual reopenings, the publication said.

– Chicago-based M. Geller says it’s now “open for business,” weekdays from 9 to 5 CT, with limited staff.

– Italian chain producer Coar plans to reopen on May 4.

– CIBJO World Jewellery Federation will hold a seminar on “The COVID Effect: The Technological Transformation of the Jewellery Industry,” on May 7 at 10 a.m. EDT.  It will feature Stephane Fischler, chair of the CIBJO Technology Committee and president of the World Diamond Council; David Block, president of Sarine Technologies; Mahiar Borhanjoo, CEO of Uni Diamonds; and Thomas Baillod, founder of the Watch Trade Academy. Register here.

–  The Women’s Jewelry Association will hold the webinar “Responsible Sourcing Today” on May 6 at 1 p.m. EDT. The discussion will be led by WJA Foundation board president Brandee Dallow, with designer Christina Malle; Christina Miller, founder and lead consultant, Christina T. Miller Sustainable Jewelry Consulting; and Jay Moncada, founder of Perpetuum. Register here.

– The Assay Office of London plans to remain closed until May 6. “We feel that the current situation in London doesn’t permit us to operate safely for our customers and staff,” it said.

– CIBJO, the World Jewellery Federation will hold a webinar on “’Strategies for Exiting the Lockdown” on April 30 at 9 a.m. EDT. Speaking will be Harriet Kelsall, chair of the U.K.’s National Association of Jewellers; John Carter, president of the American Gem Society; Anantha Padmanaban, chair of the All India Gems & Jewellery Domestic Council; and Steven Tranquilli, CEO of Federpreziosi Confcommercio, the Italian Association of Jewellery, Silverware and Watches Enterprises. Register here.

– Bharat Diamond Week, originally scheduled to take place Aug. 5–7, will be held digitally this year, using a new “securitized digital platform.” Details can be seen at Bdbindia.org.

– Simon Property Group will reopen 49 of its malls and outlet centers between May 1 and 4, according to CNBC, quoting an internal memo. Safety measures include handing out masks and hand sanitizer.

– Reminder: Reed Jewelry Group is holding an webinar on “10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Prepare Your Business for the Post-COVID-19 Recovery” on April 30 at 3 p.m. EDT. It is presented by Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK magazine and JCKonline.com. Register here.

– InStore is holding a webinar on “Getting Back to Work: A Finances and Inventory Management Checklist” on April 29 at 3 p.m. EDT. It will feature Sherry Smith, director of business development for Edge Retail Academy. Register here.

– The Jewelers Board of Trade will host a webinar on “Retail Perspective on the State of the Diamond Market” on April 30 at 1 p.m. EDT. Speaking will be Garrett McGinnis, head of growth, Liquid Diamonds; Erich Jacobs, Jewelers Board of Trade president; and Jeff Wickersham, president of Wickersham Jewelry. Register here.

– After a few months of mostly online auctions, Sotheby’s will begin holding live sales again. Its Magnificent Jewels sale in New York City is scheduled for June 9; its Paris Joaillerie sale is set for June 10; and its Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale will be held on June 30 in Geneva. The New York City sale was originally scheduled for April, the Geneva sale for June 12.

– The Istanbul Jewelry Show’s March edition, which had been postponed to June 18–21 at CNR Expo, has been called off for the year. It will now run March 25–28, 2021, at the Istanbul Fair Center. The Istanbul Jewelry Show’s October edition is still scheduled to be held as planned on Oct. 8–11.

– The JCK Las Vegas and Luxury shows will not take place in 2020. Their next edition will occur in June 2021 at their standard home, the Sands Expo Convention Center and the Venetian hotel. To fill the gap, Reed Jewelry Group plans a virtual event this summer. In addition, JCK will join forces with its sister show, the Jewelers International Show, which will take place Oct. 13–16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida. All JCK exhibitors will be invited to participate in that event, which is the second largest jewelry show in the United States. Story and statement here.

– Jewelers Mutual is making its online learning platform JM University—which features courses for jewelry business owners, managers, and sales staff—available to the industry for free. Topics include preventing theft, safety tips for traveling salespeople, and a guide to cybersecurity. The courses can be seen at jmuniversity.com.

– To support the trade, the Gübelin Gem Lab is letting clients determine the prices they pay for gem reports until the end of May. If the client spends more than the regular fee, Gübelin Gem Lab will donate the extra amount to Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, and match the donation. In addition, anyone paying extra will get a free gemological profile, which is a $1,000 value.

– Jen Cullen Williams and Straight Up Social are holding the webinar “Social Media Ad Website Optimization for Retailers,” on April 23 at 12 p.m. EDT. It features Williams and Straight Up Social founder Shayne McCoy, formerly the social media manager for GIA. Register here.

– Centurion is holding a webinar, “Doing Appraisals Correctly During and Immediately Following the COVID-19 Pandemic,” on April 30, at 2 p.m. EDT. It features David Atlas, president of D. Atlas and Co. Register here.

– Reminder: Initiatives in Art and Culture and the Jewelry Industry Summit are holding a webinar on “Gold Supply Chains in the Time of Pandemic” on April 24 at 12 p.m. EDT. Speakers include: Joanne Lebert, IMPACT; Conny Havel, Alliance for Responsible Mining; Aimee Boulanger, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance; and Estelle Levin-Nally, Levin Sources. Register here.

– Preziosa, Florence Jewellery Week 2020, originally scheduled for May 28–June 4, has been canceled. An event celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Preziosa project has been postponed but is still hoped to occur.

– CIBJO, World Jewellery Federation, is holding a webinar on “Surviving the COVID-19 Lockdown” on April 22, at 9 a.m. EDT. It will feature Jewelers Vigilance Committee president and CEO Tiffany Stevens; LuxuryFintech.com CEO Erik Jens; and Dhamani Jewels Group president and CEO Amit Dhamani. It will be moderated by Edward Johnson and Steven Benson. Register here.

– InStore is hosting three webinars this week. “Getting Back to Work— Preparing to Sell” will be held on April 23 at 3 p.m. EDT. It will feature sales trainer Shane Decker. Register here.

“Getting Back to Work—The New Rules of Security” will be held April 24 at 12:30 p.m. EDT. It will feature John Kennedy, president, Jewelers’ Security Alliance; Larry Spicer, vice president of loss prevention and risk management, Jewelers Mutual; and Kelly Ross, managing director for loss prevention, Canadian Jewellers Association and Jewellers Vigilance Canada. Register here.

“What We’ve Learned: Manufacturers & Designers Discuss Business in a Post-COVID-19 Environment” will also be held April 24 at 12:30 p.m. EDT. It will feature Jewelers Board of Trade president Erich Jacobs; RDI Diamonds’ vice president of operations Andrew Rickard; and Sethi Couture president and founder Pratima Sethi. It will be moderated by Megan Crabtree of Crabtree Consulting. Register here.

– On April 20, Roseco extended its hours of operation from Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST. Customers can call 800-527-4490 during those hours or order from its site.

– The inaugural Africa Gem Exhibition and Conference has been rescheduled, according to National Jeweler. Originally scheduled for July 23–25 at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone, Zambia, it’s been moved to Oct. 1–3.

– The seventh edition of the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, originally scheduled for June 5 at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, has been canceled. Instead, the prize will be split among the eight 2020 finalists.

– Reed Jewelry Group is holding an webinar on “10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Prepare Your Business for the Post-COVID-19 Recovery” on  April 30 at 3 p.m. EDT. It is presented by Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK magazine and JCKonline.com. Register here.

– Centurion is holding a webinar on “The Path to Success out of COVID-19” on April 24 at 2 p.m. EDT. Speakers will be Ben Blakeman of Blakeman’s Fine Jewelry, Myriam Gumuchian of Gumuchian, Vik Jain of Fana Jewelry, Craig Rottenberg of Long’s Jewelers, Andrew Siegel of Hamilton Jewelers, Peter Smith of Hearts On Fire and Mémoire. Register here.

– Jewelers of America has two webinars coming up:

“Stress Management and COVID-19” will be held April 16 at 3:30 p.m. EDT. It will be hosted by Jay Sandys, PhD, vice president of organizational development at Corporate Counseling Associates. Register here.

“Coronavirus Outbreak: No Social (Media) Distancing Required” will be held April 23 at 2 p.m. EDT. It will feature Gloria Maccaroni, director of brand development at the Silver Promotion Service, and Krista Bickley, digital marketing account manager at High Level Thinkers. Register here.

– CIBJO is making all of its “blue books” available to the industry free of charge. The books cover standards and nomenclature for diamonds, colored gemstones, pearls, coral, precious metals, gemological laboratories, and also responsible-sourcing practices. They can be downloaded here.

– Inc. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are holding a “National Small Business Town Hall,” April 17 at 12 p.m. EDT. It will help small businesses navigate the available government programs. Register here.

– SCORE, the nonprofit devoted to getting small businesses off the ground, funded in part by the Small Business Administration, will hold a webinar on “National Resources and Policy Updates for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19” on April 16 at 1 p.m. EDT. It will feature Brian Pifer, vice president of entrepreneurship for Small Business Majority. Register here.

– The Hong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has postponed the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show and the Hong Kong International Jewellery Shows, which were originally scheduled for May 18–21. They will now be held Aug. 3–6 at AsiaWorld-Expo. The HKTDC has created a virtual expo, which began April 1.

– Women’s Jewelry Association New York Metro chapter is holding a webinar on “Stress Management” on April 14 at 12 p.m. EDT. It will feature WJA Metro president Eve Streicker and stress management specialist Allison Richard. Register here.

– Initiatives in Art and Culture and the Jewelry Industry Summit are holding a webinar on “Gold Supply Chains in the Time of Pandemic” on April 24 at 12 p.m. EDT. Speakers include: Joanne Lebert, IMPACT; Conny Havel, Alliance for Responsible Mining; Aimee Boulanger, Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance; and Rachel Brass, Levin Sources. Register here.

– The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is offering free ally memberships to gems and jewelry appraisers impacted by COVID-19. The memberships are limited to new members and run through Dec. 31. Applications are available here.

– Reed Jewelry Group has put up a page announcing upcoming industry virtual events and webinars. See it here.

– David Yurman, which closed its stores and corporate offices on March 16, is furloughing a majority of its staff. It will continue to pay staff health benefits and maintain a small staff to conduct “essential business operations.” The company has also committed to donate $1 million to COVID-19-related charities.

– Charles & Colvard has furloughed approximately 50% of its workers, starting April 13. It will continue to fund their health benefits and process online orders during the closure period. It’s also giving a 25% pay cut to the CEO and a 15% pay cut for the chief financial and chief operating officers. The board of directors is taking a 50% reduction in fees.

– The Initiatives in Arts and Culture’s 10th annual gold conference, All That Glitters, originally scheduled to take place April 21–22, will now take place Oct. 27–28 at Bohemian National Hall in New York City.

– Beginning April 13, Stuller will resume the shipping of available in-stock items, according to a blog post from president Danny Clark. Clark says the company plans to “rebuild [its] capabilities to deliver custom and manufactured items, with plans of being fully capable by May 4.” The company temporarily suspended operations on March 23, following the Louisiana governor’s stay-at-home order.

– Rolex and sister brand Tudor won’t be introducing any new watch lines this year, reports WatchPro.

– The Centurion is holding a webinar on “Navigating the Key COVID-19 Legal Issues Impacting Jewelers” on April 22 at 2 p.m. EDT. The session will be moderated by Tiffany Stevens, president and CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee. Speakers include Scott Berg, president of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry in Baton Rouge, La.; Martin S. Gates, a partner at law firm Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease based in Cleveland; Thomas N. McCormick, a partner in the same firm based in Columbus, Ohio; and Michael Richards, vice president of Underwood Jewelers in Jacksonville, Fla. Register here.

– The Plumb Club has announced a series of monthly podcasts for retailers. The first, on the “The New Bridal Consumer—How You Can Best Help!” with Severine Ferrari, editor-in-chief and founder of Engagement 101, can be heard here. The second, “Cracking the Code on Customer Experience With Platinum,” with Kevin Reilly, vice president of Platinum Guild International, can be heard here. The main podcast page is here.

– The University of Delaware’s Minerals, Materials and Society program is holding a three-hour webinar on “Securing Supply Chains in Times of Crisis,” led by professor Saleem H. Ali. To register for the webinar, which will be available at a “discounted rate,” contact psyvrud@udel.edu. More information can be seen here.

– The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute is holding a series of webinars every Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. EDT on topics ranging from essential chronograph knowledge to the Swiss level adjustment. A schedule can be seen here.

– The Gemological Institute of America is holding a webinar on “The Unique Story of Natural Diamond” on April 9 at 1 p.m. EDT. On it, GIA scientist Dr. Evan Smith will share his research on diamonds and tectonic plate activity. Register here.

– The Couch Conference for Jewelers, a two-day webinar, will take place April 16–17, 12–3 p.m. EDT. Composed of 15 20-minute sessions, followed by questions and answers, speakers will include thought leaders from both inside and outside the jewelry industry. The full speaker list—which includes the heads of Chow Tai Fook North America, the American Gem Society, and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee—can be seen here. Clientbook, the Smithee Group, and Punchmark organized the event. Registration for the conference is $10, and proceeds will go to Feeding America. Register here.

– Jewelers of America is hosting a webinar “The Families First and CARES Acts: What Employers Need to Know” on April 13 at 3 p.m. EDT. Benjamin Ebbink, partner at employment law firm Fisher Phillips, will speak about the latest legal developments and answer jewelers’ questions about these significant changes. Register here.

– Amazon will likely postpone its popular Prime Day, according to Reuters. It has typically taken place in July, but now it looks like it will be pushed off until August.

– The American Gem Society is extending its virtual office until April 30, in compliance with Nevada’s stay-at-home order. AGS Laboratories will remain closed until the state-mandated closure ends.

– Roseco has suspended normal operations but is still taking orders at roseco.com and by phone at 800-527-4490, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT. Orders will be shipped via FedEx on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

– Christie’s is running a Jewels Online sale April 13–24. Items can be seen here.

– Sotheby’s has begun weekly watch auctions. An auction devoted to Rolex and Audemars Piguet runs through April 8, and a sale devoted to Patek Philippe is scheduled for April 8–15. More information can be seen here.

– InStore is offering two webinars this week.

The first, “Manufacturers & Suppliers: Management & Communication During the COVID-19 Crisis,” will be held April 8 at 3 p.m. EDT. It will feature Asaf Herskovitz of GN Diamond, Phillip Gabriel Maroof of Royal Chain, and Vik Jain of Fana, and be moderated by Megan Crabtree of Crabtree Consulting. Register here.

The second, “Managing Through the Crisis: How to Plan for the Future,” will be held April 9 at 3 p.m EDT. It will feature Jewelers Board of Trade president Erich Jacobs and Abe Sherman, CEO of Buyers Intelligence Group. Register here.

– James Avery has extended its store closures through April 30, due to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s order mandating the closure of nonessential businesses. As a result, on April 4, many of its associates were placed on furlough. Furloughed employees can collect unemployment but will still receive health and basic life benefits.

– Macy’s is furloughing most of its 130,000 workers, though they will continue receive health benefits through May, NPR reported.

– The Plumb Club is holding a webinar on “Navigating the New Financial, Legal and HR Landscape” on April 7 at 1 p.m. EDT. Speaking will be Howard Hoff, a CPA with Marks Paneth; Laurence S. Tauber, founding partner with Cohen Tauber Spievack & Wagner; and Erik A. Jens, CEO of LuxuryFintech.com. Register here.

– After the American Gem Society canceled its in-person Conclave last month, it will host a virtual Conclave April 27–28. The event will be free to all members. See more information here.

– VicenzaOro says it is going on with its September Jewelry Boutique Show, which will be held Sept. 5–9 at the Vicenza Expo Centre. The theme will be “the human touch.” See more information here.

– Jewelers of America is hosting a webinar on “Best Practices for Processing Payments and Dealing with Disputes” during the coronavirus outbreak on April 6 at 1 p.m. EDT. It will feature Sarah McKee, brand manager of Chosen Payments, and Michael Lepore, business development manager of Chosen Payments. Register here.

– The Centurion is presenting a webinar on “10 Ways to Grow Your Business During COVID-19” on April 14 at 2 p.m. EDT. It will feature Emmanuel Raheb of Smart Age Solutions. Register here.

– Lucara Diamond’s Karowe mine in Botswana remains operational, it announced, though it says it’s taking “extra precautions” to make sure its workers stay healthy. Its tenders may be relocated from Botswana to Antwerp, Belgium.

– The 2020 editions of the Couture show, the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show, and the American Gem Trade Association’s GemFair Las Vegas—all scheduled for June 1–5—have been canceled. See story here.

– The Jeweler Support Network is doing a survey of jewelers to better understand what their needs are. It can be seen here.

– InStore will hold a seminar on “Managing Through the Crisis: Human Resource Concerns,” on April 2 at 3 p.m. EDT, featuring Kate Peterson, president and CEO of Performance Concepts. Register here.

– The Responsible Jewellery Council has created an industry COVID-19 news page here.

– Patek Philippe is postponing all of its watch launches this year, according to WatchPro.

– J.C. Penney is extending the temporary closure of its stores and business offices, which was supposed to expire Wednesday. As a result, it will furlough the majority of its store hourly associates, beginning April 2. It is also furloughing the majority of its corporate workers. Many of its associates in supply chain and logistics centers were previously furloughed March 2. All furloughed workers will continue to receive benefits and can apply for unemployment.

– Gemfields has suspended all but critical operations at its Kagem emerald mine in Zambia for at least the next month. Its operations in Mozambique, including the Montepuez ruby mine, are currently unaffected but are poised to enact similar suspensions. Exploration projects in Madagascar have been suspended. The company’s offices in London and Jaipur, India, have closed with employees working remotely. Subsidiary Fabergé’s retail operations and franchised boutiques are closed. Its May and June ruby and emerald auctions have been canceled.

– Stone Group Laboratories, a colored-stone laboratory, says that it’s currently open and accepting mail-ins, but not drop-offs. It asks anyone submitting stones to email ahead to let the owners know a package is coming. It’s also worked out with its insurance carrier to ship items as a “hold for pickup” to a FedEx office, which would let people pick up items with a photo ID.

– The Plumb Club is spotlighting “feel-good” stories from jewelers on its social media and site. If a jeweler’s story is shared, the Plumb Club will donate $100 in its name to a charity of the jeweler’s choice. The charity can be local or national, as long as it is focused on helping the current situation. Stories should be sent to info@plumbclub.com by April 15.

– Jewelers of America is hosting on webinar on “Keeping Your Business Safe and Secure During the COVID-19 Outbreak” on April 2 at 1 p.m. EDT. It will feature experts from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group and National Jeweler editor-in-chief Michelle Graff. Register here.

– The American Gem Society (AGS) is hosting a webinar on “Overcoming Current Challenges and Preparing for the Future” on April 2 at 11 a.m. EDT. It will feature AGS board president John Carter and board president Larry Rickert. Register here.

– The JCK jewelry industry coronavirus resource page has been updated with links to eight previously recorded webinars.

– Sotheby’s watch division will be holding weekly online watch auctions, beginning April 1. More information here.

– The Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation is expanding its deadline for student scholarship applications to April 10. The WJA Foundation provides $1,000–$7,000 scholarships to female and female-identifying students enrolled in jewelry or metalsmithing programs at an accredited college or university. The application fee is also being waived with the code WJAEARLY. See more information here.

– The Jeweler Support Network has been created to provide assistance to independent jewelers. Headed by the Diamond Producers Association, it is backed by most leading jewelry associations and groups, including JCK.

It’s debuted a consumer website, which will stress the importance of local jewelers and supporting small businesses. A trade website includes a free portal with assets for retailers.

JCK has also launched its own page for COVID-19 resources, which can be seen here.

– De Beers has canceled its upcoming sight, which was scheduled to run March 30–April 3 in Gaborone, Botswana, Rapaport News reports.

– Charles & Colvard has suspended distribution and fulfillment operations from its corporate headquarters through April 16, in response to a local stay-at-home order.

– The International Gemological Institute has temporarily closed its New York City lab. The labs in Hong Kong; Shanghai; Antwerp, Belgium; and Ramat-Gan, Israel remain open on a limited basis. Its labs can be contacted here with any questions.

– Gemological Science International (GSI) has temporarily closed its offices in New York City; Antwerp, Belgium; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Mumbai and Surat, India. The GSI offices in Israel and Hong Kong remain open. GSI customer service is still operating and is working with clients to redirect services to the offices that are open.​

– GemFind Digital Solutions will present a webinar on “Navigating Your Jewelry Business Through the COVID-19 Rapid Changes,” on April 1, at 2 p.m. EDT. Speakers will include GemFind CEO Alex Fetanat, GemFind vice president of sales and marketing Anthony Arechiga, and guest industry experts. Register here.

– Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America is hosting a series of webinars, every Thursday at 1 PM. They will be hosted by Andrea Hill of Hill Management, and feature experts inside and outside the industry. The subject of the April 2 session will be “Best Online Strategies for Volume Producers.” The April 9th webinar will be devoted to be “Best Online Strategies for Studio Producers.” More information here.

– Punchmark has created a podcast called The Jeweler’s Survival Kit, which features interviews with top retailers and manufacturers to hear their stories on how they’re handling the crisis. The podcasts can be heard here, or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

– De Beers Group Institute of Diamonds is now providing free access to its online-only Diamond Foundation Course to employees of key partners and members of trade associations. The course offers an overview of the entire diamond pipeline, from diamond exploration and rough diamond sorting to retail and lab-grown diamond detection. Interested parties should reach out to education –at – debeersgroupinstitute.com.

– Reminder: Instore is holding a webinar on “What Do With Your Inventory and Your Shop,” with author David Gellar, on Tuesday, March 31 at 11 AM EDT. Register here.

– Net-a-Porter has closed its U.S. site, reports Sourcing Journal. “We have temporarily closed our warehouse, said a note on the site. Customers who need to return purchases, now have a longer time frame—60 days. The site says it’s unable to accept returns at the moment.

– Nordstom will extend its store closures though April 5. All store employees will continue to be paid through that date, after which it anticipates furloughing a portion of its corporate employees for six weeks. CEO Erik Nordstom and president Peter Nordstom are declining their salaries during this time, while the rest of the company’s leadership team is forgoing a portion of their salaries.

– Gem Diamonds has placed its Letšeng mine on care and maintenance from March 29 to April 21, in accordance with the Lesotho government’s three-week lockdown strategy.

–  Diamonds Do Good extended the deadline for entry for the inaugural Diamonds Do Good Jewelry Awards to June 30. Story here.

– The Rapaport Price List is suspending publication until May 1, following a vote by members of the RapNet trading platform. The vote came in at 72% in favor, 28% against. This is the first time the list’s publication has been suspended in its 42-year history.

– Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. has announced that it will not be canceling policies for nonpayment, and will be waiving fees for late payments, for the next 60 days. It is also working with Malca-Amit to give policy holders whose businesses will be closed a “hassle-free” option of transmitting and storing up their goods in a secure Malca facility. Policy holders should contact their local agent for more info or email Solutions@MyMalca.com. Jewelers Mutual has also extended travel insurance coverage if goods are being sent to a bank vault or Malca facility. (The protection applies to $1 million in goods or their stock limit, whichever is lower.)

– M. Geller, based in Chicago, has announced that it will close for approximately two weeks, but it will be checking emails and messages. It told customers that it prefers they hold goods, but they should contact the office if they want to return something.

– Petra Diamonds is placing  its three South African mines on “care and maintenance” after President Cyril Ramaphosa instituted a 21-day shutdown of all nonessential businesses.

– Alrosa has canceled its auctions for special-size rough diamonds (more than 10.8 carats). Instead it will let clients take part in a digital auction, scheduled for March 23–April 6, and will include a full digital scan of each rough diamond.

– IDEX Online has announced that it is offering its diamond-trading platform for free to members of the trade.

– Webinar reminders:

Jewelers of America is holding a webinar on employment laws and business issues in the time of the coronavirus on March 25 from 3–4 p.m. EDT. The speakers will be David Kaufman, director of global strategies, and Hillary Baca, employment law attorney, both of law firm Nixon Peabody. Register here.

It is also hosting a webinar on how to “Use Social Platforms to Bond with Customers During Tough Times” with André Savoie, CEO of High Level Thinkers. It will be held March 26 at 2 p.m. EDT. Register here.

An InStore webinar on “Managing Through the Crisis: The Digital Marketing Response,” with Shane O’Neill of Fruchtman Marketing, will take place March 26 at 11 a.m. EDT. Register here.

– The U.K. National Association of Jewellers has canceled its inaugural summit, originally scheduled for June 20–22 at the De Vere Staverton Park Estate in Northamptonshire, according to Professional Jeweller. It will now debut the event June 19–21, 2021. The group plans a series of webinars to cover topics that would have been discussed at the summit.

– The Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America has established a coronavirus resources page. Other associations offering resources pages include Jewelers of America and Jewelers Vigilance Committee.

– The Gemological Institute of America has temporarily closed its diamond grading labs, education, and research centers in New York City; Carlsbad, Calif.; Antwerp, Belgium; and Mumbai and Surat, India. Other labs remain open. It has also temporarily closed its schools in London, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Surat, India. It is taking enrollments for distance education.

– Stuller is temporarily suspending its on-site operations, after Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards ordered all nonessential businesses to close.

–  Florida has allowed pawn shops and jewelry stores reopen, calling them “essential businesses,” according to McClatchy.

– Connecticut-based Michaels Jewelers has closed most of its locations, however its off-mall buying locations in Orange, Danbury, and Canton remain open, according to Hartford Business.

– The diamond-cutting center of Surat, India, will shut down through March 31, according to a joint statement from the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council and Surat Diamond Association.

– The London Diamond Bourse is temporarily closing, Rapaport News reported.

– The Hong Kong Trade Development Council has suspended preparation of the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show 2020 and the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, which were scheduled to run concurrently May 18–21. The move stemmed from a new regulation imposed by the local government, which would quarantine all travelers from outside China upon arrival in Hong Kong for 14 days. The regulation, scheduled to run through June 18, means that overseas attendees would have “great difficulty” attending, it said. The HKTDC is exploring alternative arrangements.

– RapNet is holding a webinar, “Protect Yourself From Fraud and Risks When Trading Online,” on March 25 at 2 p.m. EDT. Participants will be Saville Stern, RapNet’s chief operating officer; Sara Yood, senior counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee; and Kathleen Morgan, manager for the credit reporting department of the Jewelers Board of Trade. You can register here.

– The Women’s Jewellery Network plans to hold a digital conference this summer. The WJN x Digital Conference will host industry experts for a series of virtual talks, panel discussions, debates, and workshops. No dates have been announced, but anyone interested in participating can email contact@womensjewellerynetwork.com.

– Signet Jewelers is temporarily closing all its stores in the United States and Canada beginning March 23, including its Kay, Jared, Zales, and Piercing Pagoda stores. “Store team members will receive pay and benefits through April 4, in a combination of base pay and available paid-time-off provisions, at which time we will further assess the situation,” said a statement from chief executive officer Gina Drosos.

 – Swarovksi has temporarily closed all of its North American stores.

– Reeds Jewelers has temporarily closed all of its stores. It is paying its employees during this time and has set up an emergency fund for families that need additional support.

– Harry Winston is temporarily closing all of its salons in the United States.

– Lee Michaels Fine Jewelers has temporarily closed all of its stores.

– Dominion Diamond Corp. has temporarily suspended all work at the Ekati Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada.

– Jewelers International Showcase (JIS) has canceled its April show, planned for April 28–30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. That show will be merged with JIS October, which be held Oct. 13–16 at the same venue.

– The Jewelry Independent Summit, which typically includes live and streaming options, will go on as planned on May 8, but it will now be digital only. Its topic is “The Science of Being Social,” and speakers will include Paul Schneider of Twist and designers Jade Trau, Brent Neale, and Stephanie Gottlieb. More information can be seen here.

– The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute has rescheduled its American Timepiece Fair and Time-Con. It will now take place Oct. 8–10 at the Summit Hotel in Cincinnati. More information is here. It was originally scheduled for March 26–28.

– InStore is running three webinars on “managing through the crisis.”

“How to Address Your Financials and Marketing,” with panelists Sherry Smith of Edge Retail Academy and Andrea Hill of Hill Management Group, will take place March 24 at 1 p.m. EDT. Register here.

“The Digital Marketing Response,” with Shane O’Neill of Fruchtman Marketing, will take place March 26 at 11 a.m. EDT. Register here.

“What to Do With Your Inventory and Shop” with author David Geller, will be held March 31 at 11 a.m. EDT. Register here.

All are hosted by InStore editor-in-chief Trace Shelton. More information can be seen here.

– Avi Krawitz, senior analyst at Rapaport Group, is hosting the webinar “Diamond Market Trends: Understanding the Corona-Crisis,” on April 1, at 10 a.m. EDT. Register here.

– Jewelers of America is hosting four webinars over the next week, including two on March 24. Get more information here.

– The American Gem Society is offering its Certified Sales Associate Program free to all members. To access the course, members should log into the AGS site with their personal log-in, go to ags.org/thecertifiedsalesassociate, and enter promo code GSAFREE0320.

– Phillips’ Hong Kong Watch Auction X will take place as scheduled on June 2, due to the improved situation in Hong Kong, according to WatchPro.

– GCAL, the grading lab that had been continuing to operate, will temporary close its grading operations on March 23, in compliance with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s prohibition on the operation of nonessential businesses, along with its Gemprint division. Other GCAL functions, including sales training, will continue.

– Simon Property Group has closed all of its 200 malls until March 29.

– Tourneau will temporarily shut down its 27 stores in the United States, according to WatchPro.

– Harry Ritchie’s has temporarily closed all eight stores “for the foreseeable future.”

– London Jewelers is closing all six stores through March 31.

– De Beers Diamond Jewelers is closing its U.S. stores “until further notice.” Its stores in China remain open.

– Saks Fifth Avenue has closed all of its U.S. stores for two weeks, starting March 18. Associates will be paid for their scheduled hours during the closure.

– Kohl’s has closed all of its U.S. stores for two weeks, starting March 19. Associates will receive their standard pay.

– Fossil is closing all of its stores in North America through March 28. All employees will be paid for that time.

– The Diamond Dealers Club of New York has temporarily closed, Rapaport News reports.

– The African Diamond Conference, which was scheduled for May 5 in Durban, South Africa, will be postponed to October, according to The Diamond Loupe.

– The Jewelry Exchange is keeping some stores open, but they are operating on limited hours.

– The HRD grading laboratories located in Antwerp, Belgium; Istanbul; and Mumbai, India, will continue to function—though will be 50% operational in accordance with World Health Organizations guidelines. All educational classes have been temporarily suspended.

– The Accessories Council is hold two webinars.

The first, a report on fashion week, hosted by editor Lauren Parker, will take place March 25 at 8 a.m. The webinar is $35 for nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased here.

The second, Navigating the New Retail Reality, will take place March 31 at 8 a.m. The speakers are Theo Rose, principal of Art Ltd., and Gordon Darling, vice president, product development for ITK Solutions Group. This event is free to both members and nonmembers. To RSVP, email complimentaryrsvp@accessoriescouncil.org.

– Helzberg Diamonds has closed all of its stores through April 1. It will continue to pay its associates during this period.

– Ben Bridge Jeweler is closing all of its stores and Pandora franchises until March 31.

– Tiffany & Co. is temporarily closing all of its stores in the United States and Canada.

– James Avery Artisan Jewelry is closing all of its stores through March 27. All store associates will be paid for days they were scheduled to work.

– Pandora is closing all of its owned-and-operated U.S. stores for the next two weeks and is encouraging its franchisees to do the same. Its stores in Italy, Spain, Germany, and France have also been closed. It has reopened the majority of its physical stores in China, with “traffic slowly improving.” Its manufacturing facilities in Thailand and its regional distribution centers are running unimpeded.

– Alex and Ani is temporarily closing all of its retail stores.

– Birks Group has closed all of its Maison Birks stores across Canada, until April 1.

– David Yurman has closed its stores until March 31. Store associates will continue to receive salary and benefits.

– Shinola Detroit has closed its retail stores until March 28.

– Continental Buying Group and Preferred Jewelers International have changed the date of the annual CBG summer show. It will now take place Sept. 8–10 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. It was originally scheduled for May 30–June 1.

– The American Gem Society (AGS) has closed AGS Laboratories for 30 days, beginning March 18, due to Nevada’s prohibition on nonessential businesses. The AGS will maintain a virtual office, with employees working from their homes.

– The Association for the Study of Jewelry & Related Arts has rescheduled its Jewelry in America conference to Sept. 12 at the 92 Street Y in New York City. It was originally scheduled for April 3–4.

– GCAL, the New York City–based grading lab, says it’s currently open, and intends to remain open “as long as we’re permitted.” Its office hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

– Kay Jewelers has suspended its cleaning services.

– Department store Boscov’s has closed all of its 49 stores and offices until the end of March.

– Neiman Marcus has temporarily closed all of its stores, including subsidiaries Lost Call and Bergdorf Goodman. The closure started March 17 and will continue through at least March 31.

– The JCK Las Vegas and Luxury shows, scheduled for May 31–June 5 at the Sands Convention Center and Venetian Hotel, have been postponed until later this year. See story here.

– Rolex and Patek Philippe are both halting production at their Swiss factories, according to the South China Morning Post.

–   The MJSA Expo, originally scheduled for mid-March, has been rescheduled for Oct. 25–26, at the Javits Center in New York City.

– The Diamond Club West Coast’s annual Diamond Gala, scheduled for April 26 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, will be postponed. No new dates have been announced.

– The American Gem Society Conclave, set for April 26–28 in Denver, has been canceled.

– The 2020 CDFA Fashion Awards, scheduled for June 8 at the New York Public Library, has been postponed to a later date, according to WWD. No new dates have been announced.

– The Los Angeles Jewelry Industry Summit, set for March 27 in Los Angeles, has been postponed until the fall.

The organization still plans to hold webinars on gold sourcing (April 24, 12 p.m.); Third Party Certification vs. Self-Assessment: The Value and Benefits (July 31, 12 p.m.); and Responsible Practices and Business Choices (Sept. 25, 12 p.m.). All times are EDT.

More information on the webinars can be seen here.

– Martin Rapaport is holding a webinar on “Diamond Market Challenges: Coronavirus, Now What”? on March 19 at 12 p.m. EDT. Register here.

– Macy’s has closed all of its stores nationwide through March 31, including its subsidiary Bloomingdale’s. It will continue to offer employees pay and benefits.

– J.C. Penney will close all of its stores and business offices, starting March 18 at 7 p.m. Stores and offices are scheduled to reopen on April 2.

– Nordstrom has announced that it is closing all its stores in the United States and Canada for two weeks, effective March 17. Employees and associates will continue to receive pay for the period.

– Saks Fifth Avenue has closed its Manhattan flagship and Bala Cynwyd, Pa., store on March 16 for two weeks, per WWD. All employees will continue to be paid.

– Brilliant Earth has closed its brick-and-mortar showrooms through March 27. Employees will continue to receive pay and benefits during that time.

– Kendra Scott has closed its stores through March 29, according to the company’s Twitter account.

– Omaha, Neb., store Borsheims is closing its sales floor from March 19 to April 2. The store is still offering free local delivery in its local area as well as curbside pickup weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

– Jewelry brand Mejuri has closed its brick-and-mortar locations for an unspecified period, according to Adweek.

– The Kimberley Process Intercessional meeting, scheduled for June 8–12 in Moscow, will take place as a virtual conference this year, according to Rapaport news.

– The 2020 Met Gala, scheduled for May 4, has been postponed, according to CNN.

(Photo: Getty Images)

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