In This Episode

In the latest installment of “The Jewelry District,” you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates recap their favorite moments from JCK Las Vegas and the highlights of its grand return to the Sands Expo. 

You’ll also hear several interview snippets that Rob and Victoria captured live from the show floor, with Jennifer Dawes, Roger Kadet, Eddie Le Vian, Charles Stanley, Iris Van der Veken, and more.

Show Notes

00:49 Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates recap their favorite highlights from JCK Las Vegas.

06:20 Victoria and Rob go over key takeaways from the show.

discuss some of the talks they attended on lab-grown, traceability, and sustainability.

11:33 Interview from show floor Ben Hakman from Diamond DNA.

15:02 Lightbox presentation recap: Lab-grown diamonds.

20:10 Victoria interviews Omi Gems and Omi Privé’s Niveet Nagpal.

24:01 Victoria and Rob discuss the President of Botswana’s speech and the protester who made a brief appearance.

32:02 Rob cover’s the first lady of Botswana’s speech at the Forevermark breakfast.

32:56 Rob interviews Charles Stanley of Forevermark.

36:00 Select clips from Rob and Victoria’s interviews captured live from the show floor including Robbie Vanderlinden, Eddie Le Vian, and more.

Episode Credits

Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky

Guests: Jennifer Dawes, Ben Hakman, Roger Kadet, Eddie Le Vian, Niveet Nagpal, Charles Stanley, Iris Van der Veken, and Ronnie Vanderlinden

Engineer: Brett Fuchs

Editor: Levi Sharpe

Producer: Natalie Chomet

Plugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine, jcklasvegas2019.com

Show Recap

The Talk of the Show

The mood at JCK Las Vegas was high, and people are thinking hard about ways to meet business challenges, including the launch of many new initiatives. Exhibitors and attendees alike were happy to make a triumphant return to the Sands. It wasn’t the most dramatic show, but in a positive sense. The new lab-grown pavilion shows acceptance of this product entering the market, and conversations about lab-grown diamonds are maturing. There’s less clash and controversy, rather a deepening of the sustainability and tracing conversations.

Interview Clip: Ben Hakman from Diamond DNA

Ben Hakman explains the way things have been evolving in different price points and categories of lab-grown diamonds. He believes the future is moving towards transparency regarding grow type, treatment type, and country of origin.

Thoughts on the Lightbox Presentation

Rob gives his reactions to the Lightbox presentation. Some thought that De Beers’ aggressive pricing last year was intended to push the lab-grown pricing down. Their perspective is that the pricing will come down anyway, and when it does, they will be well situated because they’ve had a chance to build their brand. That said, Rob has heard some wildly different predictions for lab-grown over the past few years. Victoria comments on the progress since last year’s presentation.

Interview Clip: Niveet Nagpal from Omi Gems and Omi Privé

People are loving the colored stones, rarer gems, and edgier designs. People aren’t shying away from more interesting pieces that tell a story. He describes his inventive window display and the concept behind it, called “A Gemstone Journey.”

President Masisi of Botswana’s Speech

President Masisi emphasized the connection between American retailers and the mining countries and people involved in production. Victoria remarked on the feeling of awe and respect at hearing this dignitary speak. The protester who interjected to voice her displeasure at Botswana’s lifting of the ban on elephant hunting momentarily shifted the emphasis of President Masisi’s speech, but he navigated it with grace.

Interview Clip: Charles Stanley from Forevermark

Charles Stanley speaks about the First Lady of Botswana’s speech. He found it inspirational. The benefit diamonds have given to Botswana, and importance of investing in their future. Forevermark has a new and timely bridal campaign that aims to be more relevant to the bridal consumer.

Interviews from the Show Floor

Ronnie Vanderlinden, President of Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Assn; United States Jewelry Council

Eddie Le Vian, Director and CEO of Le Vian

Iris Van der Veken, Executive director of Responsible Jewellery Council

Roger Kadet, Owner and CEO of Roger Kadet Ltd. 

Jennifer Dawes, Owner of Jennifer Dawes Design