More talks, more networking, and more education: The Jewelry Symposium is growing in 2025 to meet the needs of the jewelry industry, especially the manufacturing side of the business that is central to the event, organizers say.
Also known as TJS, the jewelry industry’s annual international event specifically dedicated to the advancement of jewelry manufacturing technology will take place May 17 to 20, 2025, in Troy, Mich., a Detroit suburb known for its popular food and shopping destinations.
The expansion from two and a half days to a full three days of presentations happened not only because TJS organizers see a need for it in the industry but at the request of the previous year’s participants, says Linus Drogs, chairman of the TJS board and president of Michigan-based Au Enterprises.
“The expansion to three full days was actually inspired by feedback from our 2024 attendees, plus the unprecedented number of abstracts we received from expert speakers,” Drogs tells JCK. “There is a growing consensus in our industry that we are losing skills and talent faster than we are replacing them. This makes an educational event like TJS, which is dedicated to the manufacturing side of the business, all the more important and valuable.
“The networking and mentoring at the symposium also encourage talent retention and growth in a way that is otherwise nonexistent,” Drogs adds.
Drogs describes the event, which actually uses the full name of the Jewelry Symposium for the Advancement of Jewelry Manufacturing Technology, as a passionate, collaborative, noncommercial, nonprofit global community inspiring creativity, fostering innovation, and encouraging the further development and advancement of all facets of the jewelry-making family.
Along with lots of networking, the presentations are the key aspect of the event, he says. TJS is like a TED Talk conference but with a decidedly jewelry-centric focus. Jewelry experts from around the world present substantial presentations on cutting-edge jewelry topics that appeal to a variety of people from jewelry retailers to designers to bench jewelers, Drogs notes.
The 2025 event will take place at the Detroit Marriott Troy and starts with a networking dinner and lots of conversation on May 17. Then there will be three full days of presentations from speakers on May 18, 19, and 20. Participants also can stay at that same hotel, Drogs says, so they won’t miss a moment.
Drogs says 2025 attendees can expect exciting and meaningful content regarding metallurgy, the jewelry manufacturing process, additive manufacturing, gemstones, education/business, health and safety, artificial intelligence, and design/CAD.
Top: Talks like the one Arturo Sanfelix gave to attendees on titanium and aluminum in handcrafted jewelry are why The Jewelry Symposium is expanding for 2025 (photos courtesy of The Jewelry Symposium).
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