Conclave 2026

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6:30am EDT

JFC Rings of Strength Charity 5K Porte Cochere/Valet

7:00am EDT

Registration Open Rotunda

8:30am EDT

Wells Fargo Fast Track International 1

9:00am EDT

A Visit to the Mines of Tajikistan: A Designer's Perspective Olympic ALaurie Reid AI Yourself Calm: Smarter Systems for the Business Behind Your Craft Colonial BMariel Diaz AWCI Mobile Classroom: Workshop: Screw Driver & Tweezer Maintenance Walkway to OscolaJason Champion Diamond Minds: Who Shaped Our Understanding of Diamond? Olympic BElizabeth West Frontiers in Colored Stone Origin Research: Jade, Opal, Demantoid, and Peridot Royal Melbourne AAaron Palke, Ph.D. Future-Proofing Your Jewelry Business: Lessons from the 20 Under 40 Congressional AAmanda Gizzi The Magic Is in the Details: What Jewelry Design Teaches You About Buying, Merchandising, and Building a Collection That Sells Itself Augusta AAndrea Lucille Pooler Introduction to Jewelry Forensics Royal Dublin AMike Magee • Al Gilbertson, CG The Microworld of Natural Diamonds Royal Dublin BNathan Renfro

10:00am EDT

Networking Break International 2 & 3 Networking Area Open International 2 & 3

10:30am EDT

AWCI Mobile Classroom: Workshop: Modern Watch Timing Equipment: Watch Timers and Their Use Walkway to OscolaJason Ziegenbein Casting 101 for Non-Casting Jewelry Professionals Olympic AJoel Meltzer • Silas Morgan Colored Stone Treatments in the 21st Century Royal Melbourne ANicole Ahline Creating Collectors the Crayola Way Augusta AShelly Sergent Recruit Top Jeweler Talent: Connecting AGS Members with top talent from SCAD’s Jewelry Program Congressional B Selling to Gen Z in 2026: What Actually Works Now Congressional AJen Cullen Williams The New AGS Appraisal and Report Standards Olympic BJoel Hassler, ACGA The New Diamond Horizon: Merchandising & Profit in a K-Shaped World Colonial AGaurav Khandelwal

11:30am EDT

Lunch Buffet Open National Ballroom

12:00pm EDT

Opening Keynote and Lunch National BallroomBen Nemtin

2:00pm EDT

Coffee and Dessert Break International 2 & 3

2:30pm EDT

Featured Speaker: Ben Nemtin International 1Ben Nemtin AI's Next Role in Jewelry Design Royal Melbourne AMike Magee Gem Sciences Committee Meeting Royal Melbourne B How to Find/Locate Watchmakers Congressional BJustin Shiver, RJ • Jason Champion • Jason Ziegenbein Natural Diamonds Have Never Had a Better Story. Is Your Team Telling It? Augusta AGrant Mobley Our Changing Jewelry Industry Colonial AHarold Dupuy, FGA Secret Teachings of a Gem Buyer: Field-Tested Techniques for Unlocking Value in Estate Jewelry Olympic ABert Esterhuysen, CG Selling with Proof: How Digital Storytelling and Provenance Drive Diamond Sales Congressional AMoshe Klein • Mahiar Borhanjoo The Importance of Impactful Signage for Jewelry Stores Colonial BLeslie McGwire (Un)Natural Beauty: Treatments in Ruby & Sapphire Royal Dublin AAaron Palke, Ph.D. The Amazing Natural Diamond Story Royal Dublin BJames Shigley, Ph.D. • Brenda Harwick

3:30pm EDT

Networking Break International 2 & 3

4:00pm EDT

AWCI Mobile Classroom: Workshop: Cell Replacement, The Right Way Walkway to OscolaJason Champion Brand Storytelling Through Experiences Congressional AAnna Samsonova, CG From Mine to Market: Using Tech to Sell Gemstones and the Stories Behind Them Augusta AMonica Stephenson • Madeline Fraser From Owner to Legacy Builder: Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders Colonial AStephen Barnes Organized Retail Crime in 2026: Evolving Threats and Practical Strategies for Luxury Retail Colonial BHoward Stone • Scott Guginsky Partner Advisory Council Congressional B Recent Advances in Laboratory-Grown Diamond Screening Technologies Olympic BGuy Borenstein Scaling the Sparkle: The Manufacturing Roadmap for Automated Faceting Olympic ALee Haynes The Repair Experience Blueprint: Turning Every Intake Into Lifetime Revenue Augusta BJimmy Lawson

5:00pm EDT

Networking Break International 2 & 3

6:30pm EDT

AGS Suppliers' Showcase and Reception National Ballroom

9:00pm EDT

Trivia Night brought to you by the AGS Young Titleholders Eagles Edge