AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
Events & AwardsApr 27, 2016
Van Cleef Archivist to Speak at Jewelry Conference
Cynthia Prasnal is scheduled to present a history of Van Cleef & Arpels and her work there at the Northwest Jewelry Conference in August.
Seattle--Attendees of this year’s Northwest Jewelry Conference (NWJC) will be treated to a history lesson on renowned jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels.
Each year the conference, which is in its fourth year, showcases a major jewelry house selected by conference participants. This year they picked Van Cleef & Arpels and will have Cynthia Prasnal, the brand’s archivist and heritage director, present a history of the company and her work there.
Six other instructors will join Prasnal to speak about period jewelry at the NWJC, which is scheduled to take place Aug. 12 to 14 in Seattle.
It will start Friday evening with a meet-and-greet reception followed by the first session--Bats, Bad Dreams and Damsels in Distress: The Darker Side of René Lalique’s Jewelry by jewelry historian Stefanie Walker.
Other sessions include Gemworld International’s Cigdem Lule sharing her ongoing archaeogemological research on Garnets--Treasured Gem of the Ancients and Walker’s Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewelry.
Diana Singer of D&E Singer will look at Another Place and Time: The Roaring Twenties, blending politics, society, architecture and fashion with the Art Deco jewelry style.
Meanwhile, Peter Shemonsky, owner of Peter Jon Shemonsky, will appear at the NWJC for the fourth time, giving two presentations this year--Wiener Werkstätte and Secessionist Jewelry will look at the Vienna movement that transformed all art forms at the turn of the 20th century, while Maker’s Marks, Truths and Deceptions will expose fraudulent marks in period jewelry.
Stone of Heaven--Defining Jade with Jeff Mason of Mason-Kay will be an extensive workshop designed to study the unique characteristics of jade and their application in valuation.
Lastly, master diamond cutter Brian McHardy will lead a hands-on workshop to explore the process of diamond cutting from antiquity to present day in At the Wheel--How to Really Cut a Diamond, including an actual cutting workshop to take students from the examination of the rough crystal to executing the craft with the right equipment.
A new venue has been selected for the event; this year, it will be held at Cedarbrook Lodge, which is close to Sea-Tac airport and sits on 18 acres of restored wetlands.
Tuition costs $695 and includes all sessions, the Friday night reception, a full day Saturday with breakfast and lunch and a short day on Sunday, with breakfast and lunch followed by the after-party.
For more information or to register, call 425-455-0985 or visit the Northwest Jewelry Conference website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
