The Jewelry District

Apr 09 2025 146 ep. 187528 mins 83
The Jewelry District Podcast artwork

A podcast by JCK magazine and JCKonline about industry news, trends, interviews, and more. Hosted by JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates.

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Episode 144: Guest J.K. Symancyk

Apr 09 2025 29 mins  
JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with J.K. Symancyk, CEO of Signet Jewelers. J.K. shares his beginnings, from a theater major and aspiring lawyer to specialty retailer mogul, and what customers of sporting goods and pet supply stores have in common with jewelry store shoppers (which is actually much more than you might think!). The hosts and J.

Episode 143: 24 Karat Weekend, Tariffs, Lab-Grown Diamonds, Rolex

Mar 26 2025 26 mins  
JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky (https://www.jckonline.com/writer/victoria-gomelsky/) and news director Rob Bates (https://www.jckonline.com/writer/rob-bates/) recap highlights from NYC Jewelry Week, including takeaways from The Plumb Club’s Symposium ’25 that leaders everywhere can apply to help their businesses succeed. Rob brings listeners up to speed on how the ever-c

Episode 142: Tucson Show, De Beers, Signet, Audemars Piguet

Mar 12 2025 24 mins  
On this week’s episode, JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss highlights from the colored gem shows in Tucson, where designers were buzzing over Guatemalan jade. Rob updates listeners on big news from De Beers, which sealed a 10-year deal with Botswana and saw its value written down significantly. In other news, one of Signet’s largest shareh

Episode 141: Guest John Green

Feb 26 2025 27 mins  
JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview John Green, president and CEO of Lux Bond & Green (https://www.lbgreen.com/), a fifth-generation family-owned jewelry store based in Connecticut. John, winner of the 2025 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement, recounts the story of a 127-year retailing tradition in his family. He also offers insights into note

Episode 140: LVMH Watch Week, Tiffany, Tucson, Bernie Robbins

Feb 12 2025 26 mins  
JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss LVMH’s recent annual Watch Week in New York City. Highlights include Tiffany’s dazzling 13-foot Bird on a Rock sculpture, cutting-edge clocks in the shape of cars and grenades from L’Epée, and a mini miracle—a tiny mechanical Bulgari Serpenti watch. Next, Victoria and Rob share some perspective on re

Episode 139: Guests Richard and Billie Hughes

Jan 29 2025 25 mins  
JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview our first-ever father-daughter guest duo, Richard “Dick” Hughes and Billie Hughes, co-founders of Lotus Gemology, a full-service colored gemstone testing lab based in Bangkok. The pair give listeners an insider’s guide to the complex world of colored stones. Why is describing faceted color gemstones �

Episode 138: Holiday Sales, Gold Prices, 2025 Color and Design Trends

Jan 15 2025 22 mins  
Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates discuss recent holiday sales results and weigh in on what 2025 may bring for jewelers as a new administration takes office, tariffs loom on the horizon, and gold prices remain high. Also discussed is the latest news from De Beers after a less-than-banner year, Rob’s upcoming mystery novel (the final installment of his Diamond District series), and

Episode 137: Guest Ian Smillie

Dec 18 2024 28 mins  
Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates talk with veteran human rights activist and author Ian Smillie, one of the architects of the Kimberley Process. Ian’s unlikely career began when he volunteered to teach high school in Sierra Leone more than 50 years ago and led him to become one of the leading advocates for ending the blood diamond trade. Ian discusses his quest to improve life for

Episode 136: Holiday Outlook, Botswana and De Beers, Horology’s Oscars

Dec 04 2024 23 mins  
On this week’s episode, JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss potential ramifications of Botswana’s regime change for De Beers and American jewelers. Next, Victoria recounts her adventures in Geneva, where she was a juror for the Grand Prix de Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), the world’s most prestigious watchmaking competition. Finally, the p

Episode 135: Guest Bliss Lau

Nov 20 2024 36 mins  
On this week’s episode, JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates catch up with Brooklyn-based designer Bliss Lau, who channels her Hawaiian upbringing, part Chinese heritage, and innovative artistry into her self-titled fine jewelry collections. Bliss discusses early career challenges, including a low point when an A-lister attempted to appropriate her de