Stars or stripes? Well, whichever you prefer, here’s your reminder that today is Flag Day.
And it’s also exactly one week until Father’s Day. So sales of men’s jewelry and watches may be the priority this week. If you haven’t yet opened for business, there’s an MJSA webinar on Thursday that’s tailor-made for helping you sell product virtually. It’s time to figure this out!
Conversations about racism and exclusion are sure to continue apace on social media, and Tuesday you can get to know African-American jewelry designer Lorraine West via Metal & Smith’s Instagram Live. We’ve also highlighted two jewelry sites worth shopping because each is donating proceeds to organizations that support BIPOC communities.
Details on all below. (You can also check out this list over at JCK Events to catch any industry webinars or virtual events you might have missed if you find you have the time/inclination to take them in now.)
SHOP
Hope Is a Powerful Gem Event: Ongoing
Small collection, mighty goal: Wilson’s Estate Jewelry, a JCK editor favorite based in Philadelphia, has handpicked a quintet of items from its inventory to sell in support of the Institute for the Development of African American Youth, a local organization focused on urban youth development, and Fair Fight, which aims to end voter suppression and equalize voting rights and create access to fairer elections. Wilson’s is donating 100% of the proceeds from sales of pieces such as the aquamarine glamazon shown above.
Kendra Pariseault Collection: Through June 30
In a recent Instagram post, the New York City–based designer announced that she would be donating 20% of all sales to the Loveland Foundation throughout the month of June. The organization, according to its website, “is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls.”
WATCH
“Be Herd” Live: June 16 at 2 p.m. ET
JCK recently reported that the jewelry trade show Metal & Smith has shifted the focus of its “Be Herd” Instagram Live series to spotlight African-American designers in support of the Amplifying Melanated Voices movement. Hosted by jewelry designer Julie Lamb, Tuesday’s talk will welcome Lorraine West, who is known for her minimalism-meets-graphic designs (see her Ascension Nail Halo rings and Nipple hoops) and alternative engagement rings (like the blue zircon beauty shown above).
LEARN
“Combining Live and Virtual Sales Events” Webinar: June 18 at 1 p.m. ET
Hosted by the Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA), this webinar places Andrea Hill at the virtual podium. Hill, who leads the organization’s programming and is a small business strategy and branding expert, will survey the different technologies and tools available for doing video/virtual/live selling and review some of the current industry marketplace tools available (just knowing Zoom is not sufficient!), as well as some outside-the-jewelry-industry tools that can be used to finesse—and amplify—a retailer’s virtual sales.
Top: American flag brooch with 3.64 cts. t.w. diamonds, 5.92 cts. t.w rubies, and 6 cts. t.w. sapphires in platinum, price on request; Oscar Heyman
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