ePRISM: June 17, 2020

New Dates, New Categories, & New Opportunities for the 2020 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ AGTA Right now, life is more unpredictable than ever before. To make meaning out of hardship, creative minds are compelled to create. SO… design, create and enter the 2020 AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards™ today and receive Special Early Bird Pricing! MORE Designers, Industry Members Create FIT Jewelry Design Endowment for Black Students National Jeweler See AGTA members, Alex Sepkus, Lauren K (N. Zaidens Co., Inc), and Sidney Garber Jewelers, featured in this article for helping contribute to the endowment! MORE 10 BIPOC Influencers You May Not Be Following (Yet) JCK Online As our team continues the drive toward including a more diverse roster of jewelry designers into the content you read here, the ratio of offerings is still vastly uneven. MORE

AGTA COVID-19 Resource List
AGTA
From Marketing During COVID-19, to Free Online Seminars, #AGTATogether, AGTA Member Benefits and lifting our limitations on free stock-photography; check out all of AGTA's COVID-19 Resources in one place! MORE

Why This Year's Best Jewelry Isn't Afraid to Implement the Unconventional
Robb Report
For the most imaginative of jewelry designers, inspiration is no longer confined to traditional materials: gold, platinum, diamonds and such. MORE

WJA Announces 2020 Female Veteran Grant Winner
WJA - AGTA Member
The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) has awarded Latoya Boyd, a first generation jewelry designer, jeweler, and Gemological Institute of America graduate gemologist, the 2020 Female Veteran Grant, sponsored by Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group. MORE

US Retail Sales Post Record Spike in May, Fueling Hopes of Recovery
Instore Mag
U.S. retail sales increased 17.7% in May compared to April for a record spike as businesses reopened following coronavirus lockdowns, according to just-released Commerce Department data. MORE

Colored Gemstone Jewelry for Pride, Springtime and A Hopeful Future
Forbes
Pride Month brings with it a rainbow of colors in jewelry to celebrate and recognize the LGBTQ community. MORE

Creative Connecting: Hashtag Hacks
National Jeweler
We all know that hashtags are searchable tools that help brands and retailers connect with more social media users, potentially growing their audience and their engagement. MORE