The American Gem Society (AGS) will examine some of the jewelry industry’s weightiest issues, including lab-grown diamonds and the importance of diamond screening, at its virtual conference, Confluence.
Designed to enhance industry members’ knowledge on key diamond topics, Confluence will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Its educational sessions will be available for viewing on demand from Sept. 26 through Dec. 31. This year’s Confluence sponsor is GIA.
“Confluence 2024 represents our commitment to providing relevant, timely education to our members and the industry,” American Gem Society CEO Katherine Bodoh tells JCK.
“With the evolving landscape of both natural and lab-grown diamonds, it’s more important than ever to stay informed and connected,” Bodoh says. “This virtual event offers an invaluable opportunity for retailers, suppliers, and all professionals to deepen their expertise and navigate the complexities of today’s diamond market with confidence.”
Confluence will feature three sessions. David Mazer of Marks Jewelers will moderate a panel on “Laboratory-Grown Diamonds: Pricing, Supply, and Disclosure” from 3 to 3:45 p.m. ET that includes Sara Yood from the Jewelers Vigilance Commmittee; Abe Sherman, Buyers Intelligence Group (BIG); Stanley Zale, of industry consultants Hill & Co.; and Joel Hassler, owner of Von Hasle Jewelers in Racine, Wis. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of trends, opportunities, and best practices for maintaining transparency in the lab-grown market. AGS says this session is essential for retailers and suppliers looking to stay competitive in a rapidly changing industry.
With lab-grown diamonds becoming more prevalent, the need for accurate screening techniques is more critical than ever, AGS notes. The first event of the day, beginning at 2 p.m., will focus on “The Importance of Diamond Screening: Challenges, Techniques, and Resources,” with AGS’ director of gemology, Wade Abel, moderating a panel featuring Raluca Anghel (Natural Diamond Council), Randy Lightfoot (Mayflower Estate Buying & Consulting), and Guy Borenstein (Stuller).
This session will discuss the latest screening technologies and their limitations, and provide guidance on using standard gemological instruments for additional verification. Participants will also learn about resources for selecting the right diamond verification instrument (DVI), with insights from the Natural Diamond Council’s ASSURE program.
Confluence wraps up with a 4–5 p.m. session on “The Incredible Story of Natural Diamonds,” where GIA’s James Shigley and John Cason will cover the geological history and mining of diamonds, emphasizing their rarity and unique formation process. The speakers will offer ideas that jewelers can share with customers to highlight the distinct value of natural diamonds compared with synthetic alternatives.
Along with these three programs, bonus content focused on natural and lab-grown diamonds will be available on demand, AGS says. Confluence 2024 is free for the first 200 AGS members who register. Non-members are invited to participate for a fee.
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