Summer is coming to a close, but as fall nears, things are getting exciting at JCK. The reception to our recently announced JCK Jewelers Choice Awards has been amazing.

The JCK Jewelers Choice Awards is a new program that provides an online platform for manufacturers to submit product and retailers to vote on their favorites. We’ll be taking submissions in September and will open the site for retailer voting in November. Meanwhile, I’m thrilled to announce the presenting sponsor of the program, as well as three prestigious category sponsors.

GCAL/AGL (Gem Certification & Assurance Lab/American Gemological Laboratories) has signed on as presenting sponsor of the awards. The Diamond Promotion Service has joined as sponsor of the Diamond section and a special category for Journey jewelry. World Gold Council will sponsor the Gold section and a special “Spring Revelations” category, jewelry in celebration of May Is Gold Month. Platinum Guild International will sponsor the Platinum section and a special “Platinum Three-Ring Wedding Set” category. We’re honored to have all four sponsors on board!

Thanks to all who threw successful events during JA! We were delighted to be included at the Jewelry Information Center’s luncheon, and we congratulate Victoria Gomelsky on winning this year’s trade editor award.

Lisa Cochin of DPS and Mindy Fielman of Hearts On Fire did an amazing job chairing this year’s Women’s Jewelry Association Hall of Fame Awards, which ended with a spectacular dessert bar and dancing. All agreed it was the liveliest version of the event in years.

Congrats to Ruth Batson and our friends at the American Gem Society for another wonderful Circle of Distinction event at Rockefeller Center’s Rainbow Room. It was a delight watching Nathan Light receive the AGS Lifetime Achievement Award, Ellen Lacy receive the AGS Triple Zero award in the retail category, and Tom Moses receive the Triple Zero in the industry category. Kudos to all.