The Jewelry District

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 br...

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 acquiri...

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 1...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk about secondhand watch prices, the cost of entering the jewelry business, and an early look at a diamond documentary. Show Notes 00:30 Victoria talks about the secondhand watch industry and its fluctuating prices. 13:24 Victoria questions the economic barriers to getting into the diamond industry. 17...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Mithun Sacheti, CEO of CaratLane. Show Notes 00:30 Victoria and Rob introduce their guest Mithun Sacheti, CEO of CaratLane. 07:17 Mithun compares CaratLane to Blue Nile. 10:15 Victoria asks about his early business. 14:42 Mithun describes his most recent experience at the JCK show. 16:09 Mithun...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss former JCK editor-in-chief George Holmes’ legacy, LVMH's investment in Lusix, and Russian diamonds and Ukrainian jewelers. Show Notes 00:30 Victoria and Rob remember former JCK editor-in-chief George Holmes 13:51 Victoria reports on the state of the industry 17:15 Rob reports on LVMH’s investment...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates share their post–JCK show takeaways and the interviews they conducted live on the JCK show floor. Show Notes 00:30 Rob and Victoria share their takeaways from the JCK show 09:30 Victoria interviews Jewelers Mutual Group’s chief content executive, Mark Smelzer 11:00 Victoria interviews Stuller CEO Matt Stu...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss Steven Kaiser’s passing, the Oak collection watch event at London’s Design Museum, De Beers' blockchain platform, recycled gold, and the JCK Las Vegas show. Show Notes 00:30 Victoria and Rob give their condolences to the family of Steven Kaiser. 05:25 Victoria recounts her visit to London’s Design...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Sarin Bachmann, group vice president of RX Jewelry Group at Reed Exhibitions. They'll be discussing JCK Las Vegas 2022 and all that you can expect at the 30th anniversary of the show, which runs June 10–13. Show Notes 00:30 Victoria and Rob welcome their guest Sarin Bachmann, group vice presiden...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk about Watches and Wonders Geneva, the AGS Conclave, and Russian diamonds. Show Notes 00:30 Victoria recaps her experience as a guest of Breitling ahead of Watches and Wonders. 11:00 Victoria fills us in on her experience at Watches and Wonders. 17:09 Rob was at the AGS Conclave and tells us how that...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Ziad Ahmed, CEO of JUV Consulting, a New York City–based firm that advises companies on how to market to Gen Z. Show Notes 00:30 Victoria and Rob introduce their guest Ziad Ahmed, CEO of JUV Consulting 06:02 Rob asks what characteristics define Gen Z 14:30 Victoria asks about non-digital experie...

In This Episode We’ve collected the origin stories of some past guests—including that of host and news director Rob Bates—so you can hear the different ways in which people got their start in the industry. You'll hear from Alexander Lacik, Sean Kell, Alexis Padis, Gina Drosos, and Alan Revere. Show Notes 00:30 Introducing this week’s podcast 02:57 Alexander Lacik, CEO of Pandora 06:14 Sean Kell, C...

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief  Victoria Gomelsky  and news director  Rob Bates  talk with Beth Gerstein, cofounder and CEO of Brilliant Earth. Show Notes 00:30 Victoria and Rob introduce their guest Beth Gerstein, cofounder and CEO of Brilliant Earth 08:30 Beth explains the importance of sustainability to the consumer 14:11 Brilliant Earth offers both lab-grown and natural diamon...

You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk about the industry-related effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and some news from the American Gem Trade Association.

Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates talk with Holly Wesche, owner of Wesche Jewelers.

You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk about the Tucson gem shows, Kering's sale of two watch brands, small diamonds, and Rob’s new book.

JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Emily Stoehrer, the Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan Curator of Jewelry at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

In This Episode You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief  Victoria Gomelsky  and news director  Rob Bates  talk about Ben Bridge and Pandora, the Tucson shows, and predictions for 2022. Show Notes 00:30 Victoria and Rob talk about how 2021 was a good year for the jewelry industry. 09:15 Seattle-based Ben Bridge is divesting from Pandora, and Rob explains what that means for the franchise. 13:16 Rob and Vic...

You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Alexis Padis, president of San Francisco–based Padis Jewelry.

JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates make predictions for 2022 and some New Year's resolutions.

JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates look back and reflect on the past year.

You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Scott Lachut, partner and president of research and strategy at PSFK.

Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates talk about sustainability in the industry, holiday predictions, and a new De Beers ad campaign.

JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Gina Drosos, CEO of Signet Jewelers.

JCK's Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates talk about sustainability in watches, the HardRock Summit, and the Pandora Papers.