It’s been a hectic first quarter here at JCK, with new initiatives at home and a very full travel schedule. In short, business as usual.

First, the initiatives: You may have noticed some subtle changes in your issue of JCK. We gave the magazine a design refresh, including some bold new fonts in our features, a new Tool Time section in the back of the book (with a focus on equipment and technology), an expanded look at our favorite content from the Web in JCK Online+, and the new Staff Picks page, where JCK editors highlight their favorites among that month’s editorial theme. It’s our goal to always keep JCK fresh and exciting.

Travel for this year began with a solid Gem Week in Tucson, including a ­successful second edition of the JCK Tucson show, the always-successful AGTA GemFair, and the multiple other exhibitions around town, from tent shows like GJX to street-corner agate displays.

Hitting the streets of Hong Kong with JCK social media journalist Logan Sachon and sales reps Quentin Chan and Mirek Kraczkowski

Once again, we cohosted the Cultured Pearl Association of America’s annual party at the Cushing Street Bar & Restaurant. It’s always such a blast to hang out with the pearl crowd! Our fun dinner following the party included Omi Privé’s Manos Phoundoulakis, Jewelers of America’s Matt Tratner, JCK’s Billy Furman, our editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky, and Vic’s twin sister, Julia. Later that ­evening, we popped by the old Hotel Congress, where we ran into jewelry ­Instagrammer Benjamin Guttery (@ThirdCoastGems), among other friends. Tucson is such a cool town!

I also had the pleasure of visiting the Centurion Show in Phoenix on this trip. After the brutal winter we had in New York, it was truly enjoyable to lunch in the sun with friends like Stuller’s Ashley Brown. 

Next up was Hong Kong. It’s a joy to get more and more familiar with the city, which once felt like the most confusing spot on Earth. This year I was even more of a local, because I rented a fantastic apartment in the Wan Chai district via Airbnb. The place was small, but it was literally a little house on a rooftop, with windows and urban views on all sides, plus an amazing outdoor deck where I hosted an impromptu cocktail party for a slew of wonderful guests: True North Gems’ Hayley Henning, ABN Amro’s Erik Jens, Platinum Guild International’s Huw Daniel, and JCK’s own Mirek Kraczkowski and Logan Sachon. If you’re going to be at the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair this September, let me know—I’ve already rented the place again and hope to have more soirées!

Speaking of Erik Jens, this issue includes the Power Base, our annual list of CEOs, retailers, designers, and tastemakers who shape and innovate the ­jewelry and watch biz…and on which Erik sits (alphabetically) at No. 22. This list is always the talk of the industry; I hope you enjoy it and its accompanying list of 20 trendsetting Power Designers.

After a few more days’ recovery here in New York City (including some ­quality time with my 3-month-old son), it’s off to Switzerland for another week of work and socializing with industry friends at Baselworld. I look forward to seeing you there!