Conclave 2026

Global trade policy is shifting rapidly — and jewelry businesses are feeling the impact. From new tariff proposals and customs enforcement priorities forcing businesses to seriously evaluate sourcing strategies, today’s market requires companies to stay informed and adaptable. The jewelry industry continues to evolve, as do the legal, regulatory, and consumer protection issues impacting businesses every day. Join the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) for an informative and practical session covering the most important compliance topics facing jewelry professionals today. This presentation will explore key areas including tariffs, advertising and marketing claims, social media and influencer compliance, product disclosures, responsible sourcing considerations, and emerging legal trends affecting the industry. JVC experts will also share real-world examples and best practices to help businesses reduce risk while building consumer trust and confidence. Designed for professionals across all sectors of the jewelry industry, this session offers valuable takeaways to help attendees strengthen compliance practices and stay ahead in a rapidly changing marketplace.

Val Katayev is something of an anomaly in the jewelry industry. Over a 25-year career, he built and sold a series of companies across performance marketing, media, fintech, and real estate, generating more than $100 million in profits. For the last nine years, through Jocalio and Luxe Software, he has focused on a single mission: helping independent jewelers grow, modernize, and compete.

If one thread runs through his career, it is the ability to turn losses into wins. From a $5,000 loss on his first day of a venture at 19, to tariffs, a manufacturing facility lost to war, and industry disruption that rewrote the rules overnight, Val has repeatedly turned setbacks into the catalyst for his next stage of growth.

In this session, he shares the mentality behind those comebacks and the practical, grounded takeaways jewelers can apply right away to run leaner, lead better, and stay competitive in a market that never stops changing.

In today’s retail environment, selling diamonds isn’t just about product—it’s about story. But how do you craft a message that resonates with modern consumers and reflects the true impact of natural diamonds?

In this hands-on workshop, Diamonds Do Good guides attendees through building their own customized diamond story—one that can be used in-store, online, and across marketing channels. Using a simple, repeatable framework, participants will learn how to connect origin, impact, and emotion into a clear and compelling narrative.

This working session is designed to be practical and immediately applicable. Attendees will leave not only inspired, but equipped with messaging they can use the very next day—whether speaking to a client, training their team, or creating content for their brand.

David Berdugo spent a decade scaling Blue Nile and James Allen — then stepped back, worked inside independent jewelry stores, and interviewed hundreds of jewelers across the country. This session is built on what sits at the intersection of both worlds. Winning the custom engagement sale happens in three places: online, before the customer ever walks in; at the counter, where hesitation is the enemy; and behind the scenes, where your operation either keeps your promises or quietly breaks them. Attendees will leave with immediately actionable frameworks for all three—turning more maybes into a same-day yes.