In this episode of the BAJ Podcast, we speak to Rob Bates, award-winning journalist and News Director at JCK, to explore the ever-evolving world of jewellery—from the rise of lab-grown diamonds and the fall of De Beers’ Lightbox, to the challenges of global news reporting and the future of journalism in the age of AI.
With over 30 years of experience covering the industry, Rob shares fascinating insights into the trends shaping jewellery today and tomorrow, while also revealing how his passion for storytelling extends into the world of diamond-themed mystery novels.
Tune in for a compelling conversation at the intersection of fact, fiction, and the future of sparkle:
Rob Bates has written about the jewellery industry for nearly 35 years, with the last 27 spent at JCK and JCKonline. As the publication’s news director, he cohosts its biweekly podcast, ‘The Jewelry District’, and helps compile its daily e-newsletter. His work has received 12 industry and editorial awards.
He is the author of four mystery novels set in the Diamond District. The latest, Making a Killing in Diamonds, will be published in August by Camel Press. More information on his novels can be found here.
Learn more about our host Dr. Sofie Boons here, and explore the BA (Hons) course she leads here.
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