AGTA is thrilled to announce this year’s GemFair social media influencers or as we like to call them, AGTA Gembassadors™! They will be bringing an exclusive insider’s look of all the incredible gemstones, cultured Pearls and designs, trend forecasting interviews with AGTA’s GemFair™ Tucson buyers, special events, seminars and activities for you to get involved in! This epic takeover starts on Tuesday, February 4th and continues throughout the duration of the show.
@Adornmentality - Barbara Palumbo
Barbara Palumbo is a public speaker, podcaster, and freelance jewelry and watch editor currently contributing to publications such as InStore, Luxury Daily, and more. In August of 2013, after spending nearly eighteen years working in a variety of roles across different genres of the jewelry industry, she launched her blog, Adornmentality.com, in order to bring an air of humor to jewelry and gem editorial. The success of that blog earned her back-to-back nominations for an Award for Excellence in Editorial Media by the Women’s Jewelry Association, and in March of 2016, she carried that same concept over to the watch side of the industry by launching WhatsOnHerWrist.com.
As a former metalsmith apprentice who worked under the direction of some of the world’s finest jewelry artisans, Barbara appreciates fine details and tends to carry those skills over to her written work. After launching a watch-related children’s book with Oris Timepieces at the 2018 edition of the Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show, she vowed to take on the initiative of teaching the next generation about the beauty and craft of jewelry design and fine watchmaking.
Barbara resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband and two young children where she is currently working on her next children’s book.
@GemGossip - Danielle Miele
Meet Danielle Miele of @GemGossip! Danielle will be posting throughout AGTA GemFair™, showcasing all of her colorful finds in the exclusive “GemFair through GemGossip’s eyes” postings! Danielle Miele’s life was guided by predictability, ideals, and expectations, yet the world of jewelry was the true constant in her heart. When she left her hometown in Western New York State and moved to Tennessee over 10 years ago, there was no denying her calling; that’s when her jewelry industry journey began.
Collecting is part of Danielle’s bloodline, and remains first and foremost in her career. A love and appreciation for curating treasures was instilled in her at an early age by both her grandmothers. She cherished their antique collections, and inherited several charmed pieces, including some beautiful Italian gold charms and bracelets.
Combing through the makeshift aisles of flea markets to find a piece of jewelry that catches her educated, scrupulous eye brings Danielle a gratitude so substantial, it’s almost poetic. Whether it’s moments like these or exploring jewelry stores across the country, this is where she finds the thrill of her trade, and simultaneously feels at home. Follow Danielle on trips around the globe, or find her opening a box of jewels sent to her doorstep for all treasures rare, vintage, antique, new, and totally memorable.
@Engagement101 - Severine Ferrari
This past year, a growing number of celebrities and brides have picked colored gemstones engagement rings. Men and women are purchasing bands with color accents. For the first time ever, one of our AGTA Ambassadors, Severine Ferrari @engagement101, will focus on these fast growing bridal trends. She will browse the AGTA GemFair to find engagement rings, wedding bands, wedding day jewelry and unique gemstones to set as an engagement ring. Severine will also shoot a special Engagement 101 TV episode during the fair.
Engagement 101, est.2006, is the first multi-media platform dedicated to couples planning their proposal. Engagement 101 TV just celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Though Severine, the founder of this trend-setting platform, has lived in New York for over 20 years, she was born and raised in Paris. Her native French sense of style and romance still strongly influences her editorial vision and voice. She is honored to have won the Award for WJA Excellence in Editorial Media in 2017.
Engagement 101 launched in 2018 Propose Too, a platform and community for women who propose first or back to their boyfriends. Engagement 101 core mission for the new decade will continue to be diversity and inclusion of all couples. On the jewelry content side, Severine is looking forward to find new beautiful jewels to share so they can bring even more joy and sparkle to people in love.
Severine is engaged to her longtime partner Hollywood director and writer James Merendino. They live in Harlem with their 2 cats and sometimes produce features and commercials together.