JCK highlights 13 jewelry podcasts worth a download. (We couldn’t resist including our own!)
It’s been more than a decade since podcasts first went mainstream. And in that time, the audio format has only gotten more popular.
According to Nielsen, the number of podcast titles and episodes has jumped by nearly 200% over the last two years, and the audience for podcasts has increased 40%, spurred on by the pandemic.
Within the jewelry trade, the podcast trend has followed a similar trajectory, thanks to easy and affordable platforms such as Zencastr (used by JCK), which offers free and/or inexpensive options and requires little more than an internet connection.
We’ve sampled the jewelry-specific podcasts and put together this far from exhaustive list of those we think would be worth your while—while highlighting notable guests and linking to episodes that provide a good introduction to the show or that we particularly enjoyed. The podcasts run the gamut from ultra professional to personal and chatty. That said, they all offer lots of advice, insights, and commentary—plus, they’re free. (Asterisks denote podcasts in which the author has appeared as a guest.)
If Jewels Could Talk With Carol Woolton
Targeted at people both inside and outside the industry, If Jewels Could Talk features historian and British Vogue contributing editor Carol Woolton discussing noteworthy jewels and jewelers.
Vibe:
Elegant people having tea
Notable guests:
Actress Brooke Shields, journalist and author Karina Longworth, and models Jerry Hall and Georgia May Jagger
One to sample:
“Superstitious Gems” with designer Stephen Webster and the Smithsonian Institution’s Jeffrey Post
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BAJ (British Academy of Jewellery) Podcast
This podcast features discussions with jewelry craftspeople and experts from across the pond.
Vibe:
Businesslike and British
One to sample:
Conversation with jewelry historian Jack Ogden
MJSA (Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America) Podcasts*
This podcast from the venerable jewelry organization showcases industry leaders and experts, who share tips for manufacturers and retailers. Some shows have a video component as well.
Vibe:
Professional but conversational, like a seminar at the MJSA Expo
One to sample:
Jeweler and educator Nanz Aalund on “The Next Generation of Jewelers”
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For the Love of Jewelers
In this podcast produced by Rio Grande, designer, metalsmith, and business consultant Courtney Gray discusses jewelry design with her fellow creatives.
Vibe:
Friendly and engaging
One to sample:
Episode featuring goldsmith and educator Jeanette Caines
The Jewelry District
Cohosted by the author and JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky, The Jewelry District alternates between news discussions and guest-focused segments. “Explores nearly every question you might have about the jewelry business and then some,” says Gotham mag. We’re biased, obviously, but we agree.
Vibe:
Serious, but not too serious
Notable guests:
Signet CEO Gina Drosos, De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver, Pandora CEO Alexander Lacik, and Brilliant Earth CEO Beth Gerstein
One to sample:
Conversation with Gen Z marketing expert Ziad Ahmed
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Jewelry Artist
Hosted by Katie Hacker, this well-done podcast features jewelry experts sharing their stories and lessons learned.
Vibe:
Falls into that sweet spot between friendly and educational
One to sample:
“Todd Reed and the 5th C of Diamonds”
Jewelry Business Academy Podcast
Jewelry business coach Robyn Clark (pictured) gives success tips for just-starting jewelry designers, with a focus on social media. The show tends to tackle off-the-beaten-path topics (one recent episode was on self-discipline) and experts from outside the industry (owners of a body care company, app developers).
Vibe:
Friendly, tip-oriented
One to sample:
“How to Wholesale and Get Your Jewelry Into Stores With Katie Hunt”
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Jewelry Navigator
Hosted by GIA graduate gemologist Brenna Pakes, jewelers and designers talk about their craft.
Vibe:
Chatty, with personal asides
One to sample:
The episode featuring master polisher Stephen M. Goldsmith
Joy Joya Jewelry Marketing Podcast
Jewelry marketing expert Laryssa Wirstiuk offers digital marketing tips for designers and retailers. Includes interviews and lots of useful information.
Vibe:
Friendly and practical
One to sample:
“Your Brain Is Sabotaging Your Marketing”
Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics Podcast*
In this interview-based podcast, the respected analyst chews over recent events in the diamond industry. Zimnisky (pictured) hosts off-the-beaten-track guests as well as industry veterans who take a long view of the trade.
Vibe:
Well-informed and smart
Notable guest:
Former De Beers executive Stephen Lussier
One to sample:
Episode featuring lab-grown diamond pioneer Tom Chatham
Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast
Cosponsored by Southern and Mid-America Jewelry News and Jewelry Store Marketers, Pearls of Wisdom presents actionable tips for jewelers.
Vibe:
Like a seminar at the Atlanta jewelry show, with lots of personal talk
One to sample:
Fifth-generation jeweler Aleah Arundale with practical pointers for increasing sales
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The Plumb Club’s Podcast
The venerable industry organization shares business strategies for jewelry professionals, featuring various industry experts.
Vibe:
All business
One to sample:
Author Paco Underhill (Why We Buy, Call of the Mall) on “What Do They Want? The Evolving Consumer”
The Rapaport Diamond Podcast*
This biweekly podcast is mostly—but not entirely—diamond focused, with a mix of guests and discussions among the Rapaport staff (though so far its namesake, Martin Rapaport, has not made an appearance).
Vibe:
Well-informed people talking diamonds
Notable guests:
Ben Bridge CEO Lisa Bridge, Lucara CEO Eira Thomas, and Stuller founder and chairman Matt Stuller
One to sample:
Interview with industry analyst Kieron Hodgson
Top: Getty Images