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The Panel & Workshop Series is a curated program of live conversations and hands-on sessions featuring industry leaders, founders, and creatives. The series is designed to bring together diverse perspectives across design, business, and innovation, offering attendees both high-level insight through panels and practical learning through interactive workshops. Each session is built to be engaging and accessible, with the goal of inspiring collaboration, sparking new ideas, and giving attendees actionable takeaways they can apply in their own work.
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Day 1
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Business & RetailPanelOpen to All
10:30 AM – 11:10 AM | Main Stage | 40 minutes
Owner, Spark Twenty Six
Maya Cadigan
Permanent Jewelry: Building a Business Around an Experience
Explore how permanent jewelry turns the customer experience itself into the product, influencing pricing, marketing, loyalty, and long-term business growth.
Maya Cadigan runs Spark Twenty Six, a permanent jewelry business, alongside her marketing agency. She describes jewelry as something you experience rather than simply wear, and this session digs into what that means commercially: how the experience itself becomes the product, why customers remember the moment more than the piece, and how that shapes everything from pricing to marketing.
Overview
Explore how permanent jewelry turns the customer experience itself into the product, influencing pricing, marketing, loyalty, and long-term business growth.
Session Description
Maya Cadigan runs Spark Twenty Six, a permanent jewelry business, alongside her marketing agency. She describes jewelry as something you experience rather than simply wear, and this session digs into what that means commercially: how the experience itself becomes the product, why customers remember the moment more than the piece, and how that shapes everything from pricing to marketing.
Panelist Bio
Maya Cadigan is a multi-business owner and marketing professional who runs Spark Twenty Six, a permanent jewelry business, alongside her marketing agency. Her work focuses on creating memorable customer experiences and using thoughtful branding and marketing to turn those experiences into sustainable businesses.
Branding & ContentPanelOpen to All
11:40 AM – 12:20 PM | Main Stage | 40 minutes
GIA Graduate Gemologist & Jewelry Educator
Mia Aurei
The Multi-Faceted Path: Building a Brand Around Educational Content
Learn how educational content, multidisciplinary skills, and genuine expertise can build an audience, strengthen a brand, and create unexpected business opportunities.
Mia Aurei built an audience of hundreds of thousands by teaching rather than selling. In this session, she shares how educational content became the foundation of her brand, and why substance outperforms shock value in the long run. She also traces the path that made her multi-faceted: formal gemological training, fashion design, 3D CAD, and hands-on experience across the jewelry industry. Attendees will learn how assembling a broad toolkit created opportunities that no single skill could have opened, and how to identify what they already know well enough to teach.
Overview
Learn how educational content, multidisciplinary skills, and genuine expertise can build an audience, strengthen a brand, and create unexpected business opportunities.
Session Description
Mia Aurei built an audience of hundreds of thousands by teaching rather than selling. In this session, she shares how educational content became the foundation of her brand, and why substance outperforms shock value in the long run. She also traces the path that made her multi-faceted: formal gemological training, fashion design, 3D CAD, and hands-on experience across the jewelry industry. Attendees will learn how assembling a broad toolkit created opportunities that no single skill could have opened, and how to identify what they already know well enough to teach.
Panelist Bio
Mia Aurei is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, jewelry educator, and multidisciplinary creative whose experience spans gemology, fashion design, 3D CAD, and the jewelry industry. She has built an audience of hundreds of thousands by creating educational content that makes jewelry and gemstone knowledge approachable and useful.
Gemology & EducationWorkshopBeginner • Open to All
12:50 PM – 1:30 PM | Main Stage | 40 minutes
GIA Graduate Gemologist & Jewelry Educator
Mia Aurei
Is That Stone Real? A Hands-On Intro to Gem Testing
Learn how to use basic gem-testing techniques to verify stones, understand refractive-index readings, and make more informed purchasing decisions.
You do not need a gemology degree to protect yourself when buying stones. In this hands-on session, GIA Graduate Gemologist Mia Aurei introduces the refractometer, one of the fastest and most reliable tools for confirming a gemstone identity. Mia demonstrates how it works, walks through readings on real stones, and explains how buyers can use simple testing methods to make more informed purchasing decisions. No experience or equipment needed.
Overview
Learn how to use basic gem-testing techniques to verify stones, understand refractive-index readings, and make more informed purchasing decisions.
Session Description
You do not need a gemology degree to protect yourself when buying stones. In this hands-on session, GIA Graduate Gemologist Mia Aurei introduces the refractometer, one of the fastest and most reliable tools for confirming a gemstone identity. Mia demonstrates how it works, walks through readings on real stones, and explains how buyers can use simple testing methods to make more informed purchasing decisions. No experience or equipment needed.
Panelist Bio
Mia Aurei is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, jewelry educator, and multidisciplinary creative whose experience spans gemology, fashion design, 3D CAD, and the jewelry industry. Through educational content and hands-on instruction, she helps jewelry professionals and enthusiasts better understand gemstones and the tools used to evaluate them.
Technology & InnovationPanelOpen to All
2:00 PM – 2:40 PM | Main Stage | 40 minutes
Co-Founder, Facet Flow
Sarosha Imtiaz/Jean-Paul Xavier
Design, Source, Price: How AI Is Changing the Custom Jewelry Workflow
See how AI can help move a custom jewelry project from client idea to design, stone sourcing, and pricing in minutes instead of days.
Facet Flow co-founders Sarosha Imtiaz and Jean-Paul Xavier walk through the full custom jewelry pipeline, from concept to design to stone sourcing to instant quote, and demonstrate the platform live on stage. The session also takes an honest look at where AI helps independent jewelers, what these tools can realistically do today, and what still requires a designer hand and a jeweler judgment.
Overview
See how AI can help move a custom jewelry project from client idea to design, stone sourcing, and pricing in minutes instead of days.
Session Description
Facet Flow co-founders Sarosha Imtiaz and Jean-Paul Xavier walk through the full custom jewelry pipeline, from concept to design to stone sourcing to instant quote, and demonstrate the platform live on stage. The session also takes an honest look at where AI helps independent jewelers, what these tools can realistically do today, and what still requires a designer hand and a jeweler judgment.
Panelist Bio
Sarosha Imtiaz is a co-founder of Facet Flow, a technology platform focused on improving the custom jewelry workflow. Her work explores how AI and digital tools can help jewelers move efficiently from client concepts to finished proposals. Jean-Paul Xavier is a co-founder of Facet Flow, where he works at the intersection of jewelry and technology. His work focuses on improving the custom jewelry process through AI-assisted design, sourcing, and workflow tools.
LIVE Commerce & E-CommercePanelOpen to All
3:10 PM – 4:20 PM | Main Stage | 70 minutes
LIVE Commerce Team
TikTok Shop
LIVE Commerce in Its Moment: How LIVE Shopping Unlocks High-Conversion Potential
Discover why live shopping is becoming a powerful sales channel for jewelry and gemstones and what makes real-time commerce uniquely effective.
Live selling has moved from experiment to engine. In this session, the TikTok Shop team examines why jewelry and gemstones are well suited to LIVE commerce, what makes the format convert, and what the shift means for sellers and buyers. The session includes a presentation on the state of live commerce in the jewelry industry followed by a moderated Q&A.
Overview
Discover why live shopping is becoming a powerful sales channel for jewelry and gemstones and what makes real-time commerce uniquely effective.
Session Description
Live selling has moved from experiment to engine. In this session, the TikTok Shop team examines why jewelry and gemstones are well suited to LIVE commerce, what makes the format convert, and what the shift means for sellers and buyers. The session includes a presentation on the state of live commerce in the jewelry industry followed by a moderated Q&A.
Panelist Bio
The TikTok Shop team works with sellers and brands using TikTok commerce tools to connect products with customers through content and live shopping. Their work includes seller onboarding, audience engagement, product discovery, and LIVE commerce strategy.
Day 2
Friday, September 4, 2026
Branding & MarketingWorkshopBeginner • Open to All
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Main Stage | 60 minutes
Marketing Expert & Owner, Spark Twenty Six
Maya Cadigan
Build Your Brand Kit: Creating a Look That Actually Feels Like You
Build a practical brand kit with intentional colors, typography, visual direction, and reusable assets that make your business look consistent everywhere.
Your brand is more than a logo. In this hands-on session, marketing expert Maya Cadigan walks you through building a complete brand kit from scratch: choosing colors and fonts that fit your work, defining your aesthetic, and setting up reusable templates so everything you post looks like it belongs to the same business. Bring a laptop. No design experience needed.
Overview
Build a practical brand kit with intentional colors, typography, visual direction, and reusable assets that make your business look consistent everywhere.
Session Description
Your brand is more than a logo. In this hands-on session, marketing expert Maya Cadigan walks you through building a complete brand kit from scratch: choosing colors and fonts that fit your work, defining your aesthetic, and setting up reusable templates so everything you post looks like it belongs to the same business. Bring a laptop. No design experience needed.
Panelist Bio
Maya Cadigan is a multi-business owner and marketing expert specializing in branding, social media, and customer experience. She runs Spark Twenty Six alongside her marketing work and helps businesses create recognizable brands through intentional visual identity and practical content systems.
Technology & InnovationWorkshopOpen to All
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Main Stage | 60 minutes
Co-Founder, Facet Flow
Sarosha Imtiaz/Jean-Paul Xavier
Facet Flow Demo
Watch Facet Flow in action and see how its technology can streamline custom jewelry design, stone sourcing, pricing, and client presentations.
See Facet Flow custom jewelry workflow in action during a live demonstration with co-founders Jean-Paul Xavier and Sarosha Imtiaz. The session explores how the platform can help move a project from an initial customer idea through design, stone sourcing, and pricing while reducing the time traditionally required to prepare a custom jewelry proposal.
Overview
Watch Facet Flow in action and see how its technology can streamline custom jewelry design, stone sourcing, pricing, and client presentations.
Session Description
See Facet Flow custom jewelry workflow in action during a live demonstration with co-founders Jean-Paul Xavier and Sarosha Imtiaz. The session explores how the platform can help move a project from an initial customer idea through design, stone sourcing, and pricing while reducing the time traditionally required to prepare a custom jewelry proposal.
Panelist Bio
Sarosha Imtiaz is a co-founder of Facet Flow, a technology platform focused on improving the custom jewelry workflow. Her work explores how AI and digital tools can help jewelers move efficiently from client concepts to finished proposals. Jean-Paul Xavier is a co-founder of Facet Flow, where he works at the intersection of jewelry and technology. His work focuses on improving the custom jewelry process through AI-assisted design, sourcing, and workflow tools.
LIVE Commerce & E-CommerceWorkshopBeginner • Open to All
2:10 PM – 2:50 PM | Main Stage | 40 minutes
LIVE Commerce Team
TikTok Shop
LIVE Commerce in Practice: Getting Started as a Seller
Learn how to launch your first LIVE shopping stream, present products effectively, engage viewers, and build habits that help convert audiences into buyers.
A hands-on follow-up to Thursday panel. The TikTok Shop team walks through what it actually takes to start selling live: setting up as a seller, what a first livestream looks like, how the platform surfaces products to buyers, and the habits that separate streams that convert from streams that do not. Built for jewelry and gem sellers who are curious about the format but have not gone live yet.
Overview
Learn how to launch your first LIVE shopping stream, present products effectively, engage viewers, and build habits that help convert audiences into buyers.
Session Description
A hands-on follow-up to Thursday panel. The TikTok Shop team walks through what it actually takes to start selling live: setting up as a seller, what a first livestream looks like, how the platform surfaces products to buyers, and the habits that separate streams that convert from streams that do not. Built for jewelry and gem sellers who are curious about the format but have not gone live yet.
Panelist Bio
The TikTok Shop team works with sellers and brands using TikTok commerce tools to reach customers through content and live shopping. Their work includes seller setup, product discovery, livestream strategy, and audience engagement.
Jewelry MakingWorkshopBeginner • Open to All
3:20 PM – 4:20 PM | Main Stage | 60 minutes
Jewelry Artist, Pure Life Jewelry
Jenny Melissa Rodriguez
Jewelry Workshop: Multi-Metal Fidget Ring Class
Create your own wearable fidget ring while learning beginner-friendly techniques for measuring, texturing, soldering, shaping, and finishing metal.
Make your own handcrafted fidget ring in this beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop with Jenny Rodriguez of Pure Life Jewelry. You will form a comfortable base ring, then add movable spinner bands that rotate freely around the finished piece, learning to measure, texture, solder, shape, and finish along the way. Choose sterling silver, 14k gold filled, or mix the two. All tools and materials included.
Create your own wearable fidget ring while learning beginner-friendly techniques for measuring, texturing, soldering, shaping, and finishing metal.
Session Description
Make your own handcrafted fidget ring in this beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop with Jenny Rodriguez of Pure Life Jewelry. You will form a comfortable base ring, then add movable spinner bands that rotate freely around the finished piece, learning to measure, texture, solder, shape, and finish along the way. Choose sterling silver, 14k gold filled, or mix the two. All tools and materials included.
Panelist Bio
Jenny Melissa Rodriguez is a jewelry artist with Pure Life Jewelry who teaches hands-on metalsmithing workshops designed to make jewelry making approachable for beginners. Her classes guide participants through foundational techniques while creating finished pieces they can wear home.
Day 3
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Jewelry MakingWorkshopBeginner • Open to All
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Main Stage | 90 minutes
Jewelry Artist, SkyJune Designs
Skyler Dunfey
Solder, Hammer & Fringe: Create Gemstone Earrings with Movement
Create sterling silver gemstone fringe earrings while learning how to solder, texture metal, set cabochons, and incorporate movement into your jewelry designs.
Make a pair of sterling silver gemstone fringe earrings from scratch in this beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop with Skyler Dunfey of SkyJune Designs. You will learn to solder, hammer textured fringe, and set cabochon stones, choosing gems from Skyler selection or bringing a pair of 10mm round cabochons you find on the show floor. All tools and materials included, plus take-home soldering and metal-buying guides.
Create sterling silver gemstone fringe earrings while learning how to solder, texture metal, set cabochons, and incorporate movement into your jewelry designs.
Session Description
Make a pair of sterling silver gemstone fringe earrings from scratch in this beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop with Skyler Dunfey of SkyJune Designs. You will learn to solder, hammer textured fringe, and set cabochon stones, choosing gems from Skyler selection or bringing a pair of 10mm round cabochons you find on the show floor. All tools and materials included, plus take-home soldering and metal-buying guides.
Panelist Bio
Skyler Dunfey is a jewelry artist and instructor with SkyJune Designs. Through beginner-friendly metalsmithing workshops, Skyler teaches practical techniques including soldering, forming, texturing, and stone setting while guiding students through the creation of finished wearable jewelry.
Jewelry MakingWorkshopBeginner • Open to All
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Main Stage | 90 minutes
Jewelry Artist, SkyJune Designs
Skyler Dunfey
Mix, Match & Metalsmith: Create a Two-Stone Adjustable Split Ring
Choose two cabochons and transform them into a sterling silver adjustable split ring while learning foundational soldering, forming, sizing, and stone-setting techniques.
Build your own sterling silver two-stone adjustable split ring in this beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop with Skyler Dunfey of SkyJune Designs. Pick two cabochons that look amazing together, from Skyler selection or stones you source at the show, then learn to solder, form and size your band, and set your gems into a finished, wearable ring. All tools and materials included, plus take-home soldering and metal-buying guides.
Choose two cabochons and transform them into a sterling silver adjustable split ring while learning foundational soldering, forming, sizing, and stone-setting techniques.
Session Description
Build your own sterling silver two-stone adjustable split ring in this beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop with Skyler Dunfey of SkyJune Designs. Pick two cabochons that look amazing together, from Skyler selection or stones you source at the show, then learn to solder, form and size your band, and set your gems into a finished, wearable ring. All tools and materials included, plus take-home soldering and metal-buying guides.
Panelist Bio
Skyler Dunfey is a jewelry artist and instructor with SkyJune Designs. Through beginner-friendly metalsmithing workshops, Skyler teaches practical techniques including soldering, forming, texturing, and stone setting while guiding students through the creation of finished wearable jewelry.
Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show Winter
Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show Fall
Las Vegas Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show
