Converge 2025 takes place September 7–10 in Carlsbad, CA. Hear from GIA and AGS leaders, Harvard Business School faculty, and gemology legends sharing decades of experience.
Converge, the joint event by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS), takes place September 7–10, 2025, in Carlsbad, California.
This gathering brings together jewelry leaders, gemology experts, and business thinkers to discuss the future of the trade.
Panel 1: Thriving Through Change
Theme: Strategies for What’s Next
Focus: Challenges and opportunities in today’s jewelry market.
Panelists:
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Lisa Bridge – GIA Board of Governors
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Martin Katz – Founder & CEO, Martin Katz, Ltd.
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Olivia Landau – Founder & CEO, The Clear Cut
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Colleen Rooney – Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, Signet Jewelers
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Wesley Tucker – CEO, Tracr
Moderator:
Professor David Ager – Senior Lecturer, Harvard Business School
Questions to consider:
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How should jewelers respond to shifting consumer demand?
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What role does digital trust play in diamond sourcing?
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Where do growth opportunities lie in the next five years?
Panel 2: Legends of Gemology
Theme: Nearly 200 years of combined GIA expertise.
Speakers:
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John Koivula – Author and pioneering photomicrographer
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Shane McClure – GIA Global Director of Colored Stone Services
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Tom Moses – GIA Chief Laboratory and Research Officer
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Dr. James Shigley – GIA Senior Research Fellow
Moderator:
Susan Jacques – GIA Strategic Advisor, former GIA President & CEO (2014–2025)
They will share rare experiences, gemstone discoveries, and lessons learned from decades in the field.
This discussion reflects back on the 1999 GIA Symposium, when Richard T. Liddicoat, G. Robert Crowningshield, Bert Krashes, and Glenn Nord took the stage with William Boyajian.
Special Program: Harvard Business School
Seats are limited for the Harvard Business School program at Converge:
Common Purpose – Resilience, Relevance, and Renewal.
If you want deeper insights into leadership and long-term growth, secure your registration early.
