The Jewelry District

Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates talk to Nicole Wegman, founder and CEO of Ring Concierge. She shares how she began her career in the world of retail apparel and ended up starting her own jewelry business. Nicole’s foray into the industry began with her own search for an engagement ring. Hear how she grew from taking custom appointments from the offices of her jewelry industry mentors into a retailer with a robust e-commerce site and several physical locations that proudly caters to self-purchasing women.

Title sponsor: De Beers (adiamondisforever.com)

Nicole Wegman Guests on 'The Jewelry District' Video Podcast

Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates talk about what Victoria has been up to in her travels, from an artful Hermès event and JIS Fall in Miami Beach to the NouvelleBox showroom opening in Paris and the Patek Phillippe Grand Exhibition in Milan. Meanwhile, Rob has been steeped in the mixed up world of the diamond industry, attending the recent De Beers and Botswana events in New York, tracking the history behind the key players in the pending De Beers sale, and examining the impact of mine closures and falling supply. The hosts cap their conversation with a look at what a holiday gift might run you at the jewelry counter and some trends to expect.

Title sponsor: De Beers (adiamondisforever.com)

Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates talk to Jade Trau, founder of her eponymous brand. She shares her experience growing up as a fifth-generation diamantaire who traveled the world sourcing diamonds for her grandfather’s business, and how her perspective shifted after the birth of her twins. She explains how she formed her own point of view in jewelry design and the moment in her career when she actually started to see herself as a designer. Get her reaction to gold prices, lab-grown diamonds, and stick around to the end to see her beautiful heirloom piece made with a fancy gray diamond and hear the story behind it.

Title sponsor: De Beers (adiamondisforever.com)

Jade Trau Guests on 'The Jewelry District'

Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky talk about the CIBJO centenary conference in Vicenza, Italy and the organization’s decision to adopt the term synthetic when referring to lab-grown diamonds. They also discuss a trend Victoria has been tracking that’s bigger than the latest styles people are wearing: the growing cultural impact jewelry is having. Experts from renowned museums and other major cultural institutions shared their thoughts with her on this phenomenon. The hosts comment on another burgeoning trend: luxury travel. Victoria went the travel conference IMM Lux and returned with takeaways for the jewelry industry.

Title sponsor: De Beers (adiamondisforever.com)

Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky talk to Sara Beth Brown Prendeville, president of Brown & Co. Jewelers. Sara Beth shares her experience in the jewelry and watch industry—from childhood afternoons spent in her family’s jewelry store in lieu of daycare to bringing her knowledge from Shreve & Co. in San Francisco and Breitling in New York to her family’s store. Learn how she grew into her current role of president, the mix they keep stocked in both store locations, plus, get her hot take on lab-grown diamonds as well as the trends she’s noting for the fourth quarter and busy holiday season ahead.

Title sponsor: De Beers (adiamondisforever.com)

Sara Beth Brown Prendeville Guests on 'The Jewelry District'

Hosts Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates talk about Victoria’s experience going to Watch Week Aspen for the first time. She shares how the annual gathering started, how it has grown, and the culture of watch collectors and watch makers coming together. Rob talks about Signet’s latest executive appointments and their backgrounds. The hosts take a step back to think about what this type of news from a big industry player means for JCK’s audience and what they can take away from it. Rob closes with updates on a gold scam that jewelers should be on the lookout for.

Title sponsor: De Beers (adiamondisforever.com)

Doug Meadows, founder of David Douglas Diamonds & Jewelry is curious by nature. Many of the valuable lessons he’s learned about running a business in this industry has come from asking other store owners questions. Where some would be too timid, Doug notices the things a retailer does well and asks to do a store visit. The knowledge he’s compiled as a result has only helped his business and relationships. The tables have turned, because now podcast hosts Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates are the ones asking the questions! Doug generously shares his experiences, travels, and lessons he’s learned along the way.

Title sponsor: De Beers (adiamondisforever.com)