Episodes

Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates talk with two guests who are a married couple: Feriel Zerouki, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at De Beers Group, and Mahiar Borhanjoo, CEO of UNI Diamonds.

Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky talk 24 Karat Weekend, Russian diamonds, lab-grown diamond quality issues, and recent events with banks.

JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Tom Nolan, CEO of Kendra Scott, a billion-dollar brand with a legendary origin story that started with a single mom selling her designs door to door. Tom recounts his own unlikely path to Kendra Scott and shares the inside scoop on the company’s formula for connecting with customers by creating emotional experiences. He offers a look at the 130-store chain’s successful growth strategy, its formula for weathering hard tim...

What was hot at the Tucson gem shows, diamond supplier news, and Chat GPT. Any views expressed in this podcast do not reflect the opinion of JCK, its management, or its advertisers.

JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Malyia McNaughton, founder of Made by Malyia. The self-taught jewelry designer and Black in Jewelry Coalition board member is proof that trusting your gut can be the key to creative success. When Malyia couldn’t find the jewelry she wanted, she designed her own—and wore it. Demand for her designs inspired her to launch her brand and has made her a rising star whose looks have been worn by Lizzo and other celebrities. Sp...

Join JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates for a roundup of buzzworthy industry updates. Victoria reports on the recent VicenzaOro fair, where the halls were crowded, the mood upbeat, and the looks big and bold. She updates listeners on a rare timepiece collection from the archives of Jaeger-LeCoultre. It’s the first significant effort by a Swiss watchmaker to sell vintage pieces and may herald a burgeoning trend. Rob analyzes what Israeli equipment maker Sarine’s pur...

Gearing up for JCK Tucson 2023? Dave shares expert insights on what to expect at the show as well as which stones and colors are trending this year.

You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates look ahead into 2023.

You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk holiday predictions, the theme of which is cautious optimism. They discuss inflation and its affect (or lack thereof) on spending on jewelry, depending on strata. (The wealth divide is also the dividing line for this consideration.) The hosts also talk about Rolex’s recent announcement that they are entering the preowned watch space, and the questions this brings up about the secondhand marketplace. They also note...

Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates talk with jewelry historian and author Marion Fasel, founder and editorial director of the website The Adventurine.

Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates discuss Victoria’s recent trip to Sicily to see Jacob & Co.’s new Opera Godfather 50th Anniversary watch; they explore the growing power of brand names in high jewelry; Victoria breaks down how changing legislation may create more transparency on sourcing; Finally, Rob shares what recent research by WJA and Citizen Watch revealed about Gen Z.

You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk to Paul Schneider, co-owner of Twist, an independent jewelry business known for being an incubator for cutting-edge design talent. Victoria heard Paul Schneider speak at the “Conversations in Park City” event and was struck by how authentic he was and interested in the information he delivered about how his business is growing, and so was inspired to have him on. Paul talks about his wife's and his origins in the ...

You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk about Conversations in Park City, a new De Beers CEO, and a new spin on a classic Patek Philippe watch. Victoria recaps her time in Park City, where she contemplated the present and future of retail with experts curated by PSFK. Rob reports on the change in leadership at De Beers, where Bruce Cleaver has stepped down and become co-chairman, and Al Cook will step into his shoes as CEO. Victoria covers the latest it...

You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview two guests—Vikki Tobak author of Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History, and Jules Kim, owner and designer of Bijules Jewelry. They discuss how both women came up in the New York City club culture scene, and how it influenced both of their careers. Vikki talks about the early days of hip-hop and how its connection to jewelry began and evolved. Jules notes some jewelry styles that have their origins in African an...

JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss the Dubai Horology Forum in New York, the Facets 2022 conference in Antwerp, and Victoria’s tour of Cartier’s watchmaking facilities.

JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss the Dubai Horology Forum in New York, the Facets 2022 conference in Antwerp, and Victoria’s tour of Cartier’s watchmaking facilities.

JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss the Dubai Horology Forum in New York, the Facets 2022 conference in Antwerp, and Victoria’s tour of Cartier’s watchmaking facilities.

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Eric Ku, watch “super dealer,” cofounder of Loupe This, and founder of 10 Past Ten and Los Angeles Watchworks. Eric recounts the origin story of when he first started his collection of mechanical watches, the beginnings of watch-collecting on the internet, the evolving relationship between brands and the pre-owned market, and he names a few micro-brands that have yet to get their due. Show N...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Eric Ku, watch “super dealer,” cofounder of Loupe This, and founder of 10 Past Ten and Los Angeles Watchworks. Eric recounts the origin story of when he first started his collection of mechanical watches, the beginnings of watch-collecting on the internet, the evolving relationship between brands and the pre-owned market, and he names a few micro-brands that have yet to get their due. Show N...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Eric Ku, watch “super dealer,” cofounder of Loupe This, and founder of 10 Past Ten and Los Angeles Watchworks. Eric recounts the origin story of when he first started his collection of mechanical watches, the beginnings of watch-collecting on the internet, the evolving relationship between brands and the pre-owned market, and he names a few micro-brands that have yet to get their due. Show N...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss Signet's acquisition of Blue Nile, what it means for the brand and how they might evolve as a result. Victoria reports on her research into fall's biggest fashion trends, which include animal motifs and a resurgence of the power-dressing era of the 80s and 90s. Show Notes 03:00 Signet is acquiring Blue Nile 12:00 Victoria reports on the latest in fall fashion 19:00 80s and 90s jewelry style...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss Signet's acquisition of Blue Nile, what it means for the brand and how they might evolve as a result. Victoria reports on her research into fall's biggest fashion trends, which include animal motifs and a resurgence of the power-dressing era of the 80s and 90s. Show Notes 03:00 Signet is acquiring Blue Nile 12:00 Victoria reports on the latest in fall fashion 19:00 80s and 90s jewelry style...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss Signet's acquisition of Blue Nile, what it means for the brand and how they might evolve as a result. Victoria reports on her research into fall's biggest fashion trends, which include animal motifs and a resurgence of the power-dressing era of the 80s and 90s. Show Notes 03:00 Signet is acquiring Blue Nile 12:00 Victoria reports on the latest in fall fashion 19:00 80s and 90s jewelry style...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Mark Smelzer, chief content executive of Jewelers Mutual and JCK’s former publisher. Show Notes 01:33 The hosts welcome their guest, Mark Smelzer 03:30 Mark talks about his background in the jewelry business 07:00 Mark recalls his first impressions of the industry 10:10 The role of print today 13:15 The shift to content marketing 19:30 Mark’s prediction on jewelry sales 21:20 What can...