This week, the most organized jewelry pros will start packing for Las Vegas Jewelry Week—or at least review the shoe considerations in order to avoid bringing the entire closet. (Are sneakers still fair game—it’s a “yes” for us!)
You might also have Memorial Day weekend plans, and for that we have podcasts to accompany you on your journey (or on the way out to Vegas!). Plus: a new must-see jewelry exhibition in New York, and pocket watches (if you happen to be holidaying in Hong Kong).
LISTEN
The Jewelry District podcast, Episode 121 (ongoing)
In the latest episode, JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates chat with Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group. Together they discuss the current state of the diamond industry, the future of the diamond business in Botswana and what lies ahead for the lab-grown market. If you’ve been paying attention to the latest jewelry headlines, this one is a must-listen on many levels.
Plumb Club podcasts (ongoing)
The latest Plumb Club podcast episodes have dropped and both are an excellent pregame for the conversations (and thoughts) you’ll no doubt be having during Las Vegas Jewelry Week: “Mastering the Brand Balancing Act,” sponsored by Quality Gold, gives tips on successfully balancing your own brand’s point of view with the positioning of the other brands you carry. “Break Six Rules to Sell More Bands,” sponsored by Benchmark, explores ways to add excitement to the men’s band category with six “rules” to follow if you hope to make these rings a profit center in your store.
Paul Zimnisky Diamond Analytics podcast featuring Rob Bates (ongoing)
JCK’s Rob Bates recently appeared (for the seventh time) on leading global diamond industry analyst Paul Zimnisky’s podcast for an informative discussion covering a number of topics. Our favorite parts: When the two industry experts discuss what they got right and wrong about the evolution of lab-grown diamond jewelry over the last decade and opine on the watch market and whether they would personally buy a Rolex.
ATTEND
Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry: through Jan. 5, 2025 in NYC
Earlier in May, a special exhibition celebrating hip-hop’s cultural influence through the most fabulous diamond-smothered custom-made jewelry opened at New York City’s American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), in the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery of the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals. The showcase features jewels owned by hip-hop and rap royalty (Notorious B.I.G., Roxanne Shanté, Erykah Badu, and many more), and was was guest-curated by Vikki Tobak, journalist and author of Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History (which she talked about on a 2022 JCK podcast). This work came together with an extensive advisory board led by Ricky “Slick Rick” Walters. “All the pieces that are in there literally form the canon” of iconic hip-hop jewelry, Tobak told JCK at the exhibition preview. “It’s the Nas QB pendant, it’s the Biggie Jesus, it’s the Ghostface eagle [armband], it’s the A$AP Rocky nameplate. Those pieces will be in the canon 100 years from now, plus whatever new pieces made by today’s young artists.” Admission is pay-what-you-wish for residents of the tristate area.
BID
Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII: May 24–25, 2 p.m. HKT (in-person and online)
Do you have a penchant for pocket watches? Here’s an auction especially for you. This petite Phillips sale of 10 pocket watches have been part of a private collection for decades, many of them never before offered at auction. Just one example: a Patek Philippe circa 1883 chronograph pocket watch in pink gold, estimate $41,000–$82,000. Can’t make it? There is a Part Two auction set to happen in New York June 8–9. See more highlights here.
Top: 14k gold modern scattered emerald diamond ring, $1,450; Gabriel & Co.
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