Rapaport Magazine Trains Its Eye on Education

The August issue of Rapaport Magazine explores one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: how to educate, recruit and inspire the next generation of jewelry professionals while adapting to a rapidly changing marketplace.

Jennifer Heebner investigates where aspiring bench jewelers and sales associates can gain the practical skills they need. Richa Goyal Sikri examines the organizations and initiatives working to uphold ethical standards across the diamond, gemstone and jewelry supply chain. Amy Wakeham hears how jewelry educators are embracing artificial intelligence without sacrificing creativity, while Haïg Ter-Martirosian looks at the growing need to train skilled craftspeople to replace those retiring from the profession.

Looking beyond the classroom, Elle Hill explains why companies that fail to answer the questions consumers are asking online risk disappearing in the age of AI-powered search results. Francesca Fearon reports on Thailand’s enduring role as a global jewelry manufacturing hub, and Isabella Yan explores the growing demand for rare color-change gemstones, from alexandrite and sapphire to lesser-known specimens.

Elsewhere in this issue, Ruth Peltason celebrates the legacy of American jewelry designer David Webb, whose bold use of color and signature animal jewels helped redefine mid-century style. Kate Matthams looks at the revival of lockets as designers reinvent the sentimental classic for a new generation. We also speak with gemologist Renée Newman about her latest book, which examines the timeless appeal and the common misconceptions surrounding pearls. Read the August issue of Rapaport Magazine here.

Image: Inside Isabel Delgado’s workshop in New York. (Alyona Kuzmina)