A podcast by JCK magazine and JCKonline about industry news, trends, interviews, and more. Hosted by JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates.
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Episode 128: LVMH at Olympics, Tiffany's Travails, Travel Retail, Hodinkee
25:10
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On this week’s episode, JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates question whether the Paris Olympics suffered from overbranding and ponder what it means for future games, before discussing recent missteps at Tiffany & Co. and a flurry of C-suite changes at luxury watch brands. Next, Victoria explains how and why jewelry bra…
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Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates speak with Constance Polamalu, Chief Operating Officer of Zachary’s Jewelers, as well as the owner and founder of both Bloomstone Jewelers and Birthright Foundry. Constance shares her unique entrance into the jewelry industry, as well as the facets of each of her different businesses, from lab-grown diamonds to piece…
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Episode 126: John Mayer, Russian Sanctions, Richemont, Saks and Neiman, JVC
26:45
26:45
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On this week’s episode, JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk about celebrity watch collectors and investors, such as John Mayer and Jay-Z, and discuss the new Russian sanctions on diamonds that the G7 council is looking to put in place. As well, there are big changes happening at Richemont, with many of the top exe…
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This week, JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Pippa Small, ethical jewelry designer and founder of Pippa Small Jewellery, based in London. Pippa has traveled extensively and worked to make sure that both her materials and partnerships are sourced with good intentions. Helping people tell stories through jewe…
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You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates share their reactions to the 2024 JCK show, including their impressions of the states of the diamond and lab-grown diamond sectors, takeaways from the De Beers breakfast, their experiences interviewing Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, and how important it is for prod…
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Episode 123: Interviews From the JCK Show Floor
26:23
26:23
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates share interviews they captured live from the JCK 2024 show floor, including Jan Patrick Smith, CEO of John Hardy; David Kellie, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council; Gina Fahnestock, Senior Associate of Responsible Sourcing and Sustainability at Brilliant Earth; Wesley Tucker, CEO of T…
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Episode 122: Watches of Switzerland's Roberto Coin Acquisition, JCK Show Highlights
27:09
27:09
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates react to Watches of Switzerland’s recent acquisition of Roberto Coin Inc. As the hosts discuss the slow growth of brands in the jewelry space, Victoria gives the fascinating backstory on Shinola’s Gomelsky watch as an illustration of the challenges of launching a new brand. Victoria …
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates welcome one of the most influential guests ever to join the podcast—Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group. Al shares his back story, comments on the current state of the diamond industry, and sheds light on the future of the diamond business in Botswana as well as what lies ahead for the la…
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Episode 120: Watches & Wonders, AGS Conclave, a Lab-Grown Factory Visit
22:10
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates share news from their recent trips to Geneva and Austin to attend key industry conferences. At Watches & Wonders, Victoria noted a trend toward red and burgundy watch accents, along with a preponderance of derivative designs rather than radical innovations. She and Rob theorize on th…
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with forecasting expert Nancy Leach, co-founder of the consulting firm Gemedge Studio, which helps companies develop strategy and initiatives to drive business growth. Sponsored by De Beers: institute.debeers.comBy JCK
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Episode 118: 24 Karat Weekend, Diamond Sanctions, John Kennedy
22:16
22:16
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The hosts discuss a Ukrainian designer's account of war in her country, the issues with Russian diamond sanctions, and salute retiring Jewelers' Security Alliance president John Kennedy. Presenting sponsor: De Beers (institute.debeers.com) Sponsor: Nivoda (nivoda.com/jdpodcast)By JCK
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates speak with Jean-Claude Biver, president of JC Biver and a living legend of the watch world. He regales the hosts on his introduction to the industry 50 years ago; his time at Audemars Piguet; how he revived the historic brand Blancpain; his time running Hublot; and how he brought piz…
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Episode 116: Russian Diamond Sanctions, Tucson News, and an Instagram Suspension
25:24
25:24
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Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky talk about Russian diamond sanctions, news from Tucson, and a blogger’s mysterious Instagram suspension. Sponsored by De Beers: institute.debeers.comBy JCK
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Vanessa Fernández, designer, bench jeweler, and owner of Vanessa Fernández Studio. Sponsored by De Beers: institute.debeers.comBy JCK
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Episode 114: Platinum Guild Press Trip, Lab-Grown Diamond Detection, Tucson Preview
22:31
22:31
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Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky talk about a Platinum Guild press trip to Miami, the increasing need for lab-grown diamond detection tools and protocol, and what’s in store at the Tucson gem shows. Sponsored by De Beers: institute.debeers.comBy JCK
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Stanley Zale, Principal Consultant at Hill & Company and grandson of Zale Corporation founder M.B. Zale. Sponsored by De Beers: institute.debeers.comBy JCK
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Today, Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky talk about 2024 predictions, Russian diamond sanctions, and the year in the watch world. Sponsored by De Beers: institute.debeers.comBy JCK
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Tom Chatham, chairman of the board of Chatham Created Gems. Sponsored by De Beers: institute.debeers.comBy JCK
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Episode 110: NYC Jewelry Week Highlights, Traceability, Holiday Predictions
27:24
27:24
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Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates discuss highlights from an event-packed NYC Jewelry Week. These include a jewelry collective working with artisanal gold miners in Peru, a panel of Indigenous designers channeling cultural traditions into their work, and a Stephanie Gottlieb partnership with De Beers spotlighting diamond provenance. Rob weighs in on …
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates speak with Olga Oleksenko, founder of the Strong&Precious Art Foundation, which showcases Ukrainian jewelry art and design. Sponsored by De Beers: institute.debeers.comBy JCK
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Episode 108: Istanbul Jewelry, WD Diamonds, and Sustainability in the Watch Industry
29:43
29:43
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Today, Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky talk about Victoria’s trip to Istanbul, WD Diamonds, and the history of sustainability in the watch industry. Sponsored by De Beers: institute.debeers.comBy JCK
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates welcome Edahn Golan, diamond industry analyst as well as owner and manager of Edahn Golan Diamond Research and Data and managing partner of Tenoris. Sponsored by De Beers: institute.debeers.comBy JCK
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Episode 106: Hedda Schupak, Russian Diamond Sanctions, and Grand Seiko
32:29
32:29
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates pay tribute to former JCK editor Hedda Schupak, who passed away this month. An industry icon as well as a mentor to Victoria and Rob, Hedda steered the magazine successfully through major changes in the early 2000s and played a key role in the early days of its annual Las Vegas trade…
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Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates interview Monica Stephenson, founder and president of ANZA Gems. Sponsored by De Beers: institute.debeers.comBy JCK
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Episode 104: Rolex & Bucherer, Audemars Piguet, Rob’s New Book
26:20
26:20
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates delve into hot topics from the world of luxury watches, starting with Rolex’s recent acquisition of Bucherer and its potential implications for retailers. Next the conversation turns to Audemars Piguet’s latest AP House. Finally, Rob shares some encouraging news about a flurry of bri…
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview acclaimed designer New York designer Lorraine West, whose handcrafted contemporary fine jewelry has earned the admiration of Grammy winners and Hollywood A listers—not to mention Sotheby’s and De Beers. Lorraine recounts the early days of selling her designs on the street i…
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Episode 102: Barbie, Fall Fashion, Retail Rebirth & Hip-Hop
28:20
28:20
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates dive into the hottest trends ahead, from more Barbie-fueled obsession with pink to nostalgic necklaces. (Think Rubik’s Cubes, robots, and all things ’80s.) Equally newsworthy is the luxury world’s laser focus on bigger, better brick and mortar—a high-end land grab that belies the dig…
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates sit down with Jeffrey Post, research associate and curator emeritus, to hear where his love for minerology began. Jeffrey describes a visitor’s experience to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History as well as some of the stories attached to the gems he has encountered ov…
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Episode 100: a Custom Design, a Jewelry Conference, and a Podcast Milestone
25:42
25:42
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss Victoria’s recent custom ring experience, the State of the Art Jewelry Summit, and commemorate the 100th episode of The Jewelry District.By JCK
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates sit down with Jeffery Bolling of Colorado-based Jeffery B. Jewelers about his journey from serving in the U.S. Army to selling diamonds to becoming Colorado’s only African American–owned fine diamond, full-service jeweler. Jeffery plays a vital role in the diamonds-do-good story thro…
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Episode 98: JCK Las Vegas Report, Lab-Grown Reset, Tracing Diamonds
28:14
28:14
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Just back from JCK Las Vegas, JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates recap highlights from the big event, where they were delighted to see a return to the liveliness of pre-COVID shows. Diamond trends were a hot topic among attendees and exhibitors, so Victoria and Rob delve into a range of buzzworthy diamond-related obse…
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates sit down with Jeffery Fowler, CEO of the influential watch website Hodinkee to learn how the company got its unusual name and to hear about the path that led him to it. Jeff also speculates on the reason mechanical watches inspire such lasting passion (they’re science projects wrappe…
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Episode 96: Tiffany’s New Flagship, AGS Conclave and A.I., JCK Las Vegas Preview
29:49
29:49
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates recap highlights from Tiffany & Co.’s star-studded party to mark the reopening of the Fifth Avenue flagship store, where a once homey vibe has been replaced by a sleek temple to luxury. Rob shares an update from AGS Conclave along with insights about the trending topic of ChatGPT and…
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates catch up with Lawrence Hess, executive director of The Plumb Club, as the organization finalizes plans for JCK Las Vegas. Lawrence shares his memories of growing up the son of the late great designer Jose Hess and offers a succinct history of The Plumb Club. He also gives listeners a…
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Episode 94: Tiffany’s Reopening, Watches and Wonders, Signet’s Investor Day
24:14
24:14
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss the much-anticipated reopening of Tiffany & Co.’s iconic Fifth Avenue store, now called The Landmark. Victoria also reports on her recent trip to Geneva for Watches and Wonders, where traffic was brisk, the mood was upbeat, and Rolex wowed the crowds with unexpected splashes …
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Episode 93: Guests Feriel Zerouki and Mahiar Borhanjoo
28:32
28:32
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You'll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with two guests who are a married couple: Feriel Zerouki, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at De Beers Group, and Mahiar Borhanjoo, CEO of UNI Diamonds.By JCK
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Episode 92: 24 Karat Weekend, Russian Diamonds, and Lab-Grown Diamond Quality
26:27
26:27
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You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk about the 24 Karat Weekend, including the Gem Awards, updates about crime stats at the Jewelers’ Security Alliance lunch, and some news that broke at the Jewelers’ Vigilance Committee luncheon. This leads to a discussion of a potential increase in restrictions on Rus…
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Tom Nolan, CEO of Kendra Scott, a billion-dollar brand with a legendary origin story that started with a single mom selling her designs door to door. Tom recounts his own unlikely path to Kendra Scott and shares the inside scoop on the company’s formula for connecting with …
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Episode 90: Gem Shows, Diamond Supplier News, and Chat GPT
24:31
24:31
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You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk about what was hot at the Tucson gem shows, and the insights Victoria gleaned as she followed several designers on their searches through the shows. Rob discusses some ongoing diamond supply news, including the ongoing negotiations between De Beers and Botswana, and …
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with Malyia McNaughton, founder of Made by Malyia. The self-taught jewelry designer and Black in Jewelry Coalition board member is proof that trusting your gut can be the key to creative success. When Malyia couldn’t find the jewelry she wanted, she designed her own—and wore it.…
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Episode 88: VicenzaOro Recap, Sarine Acquiring GCAL, and Noncompetes
23:45
23:45
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Join JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates for a roundup of buzzworthy industry updates. Victoria reports on the recent VicenzaOro fair, where the halls were crowded, the mood upbeat, and the looks big and bold. She updates listeners on a rare timepiece collection from the archives of Jaeger-LeCoultre. It’s the first sig…
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates sit down with Dave Bindra, vice president of B&B Fine Gems, to find out how he got started in the colored gemstone business and to hear how well he thinks the jewelry industry is addressing current challenges such as the need for more young talent, increased diversity, and better tra…
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You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates look ahead into 2023. The hosts, noting that it's folly to predict more than one year ahead, make some educated predictions for the year including: the end of the pandemic, which might bring an end to some new customs while others continue to be new norms; a shakedown in …
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Episode 85: Holiday Predictions, Rolex Goes Certified Preowned, Colored Diamonds
28:19
28:19
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You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk holiday predictions, the theme of which is cautious optimism. They discuss inflation and its affect (or lack thereof) on spending on jewelry, depending on strata. (The wealth divide is also the dividing line for this consideration.) The hosts also talk about Rolex’s …
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Join JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates for a talk with jewelry historian and author Marion Fasel, founder and editorial director of the website The Adventurine. They cover her unlikely introduction into the industry; her writing partnership with Penny Proddow; her history with InStyle magazine, the story behind her n…
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Episode 83: Jacob & Co.’s Godfather Watch, Luxury Brands Gain Clout, Translating Gen Z
26:34
26:34
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JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss Victoria’s recent trip to Sicily to see Jacob & Co.’s new Opera Godfather 50th Anniversary watch commemorating the classic film. Next, Victoria and Rob explore the growing power of brand names in high jewelry, a trend fueling forays into real estate and hospitality. Victoria …
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You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk to Paul Schneider, co-owner of Twist, an independent jewelry business known for being an incubator for cutting-edge design talent. Victoria heard Paul Schneider speak at the “Conversations in Park City” event and was struck by how authentic he was and interested in t…
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Episode 81: Conversations in Park City, De Beers Leadership, New Patek Philippe
26:13
26:13
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You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk about Conversations in Park City, a new De Beers CEO, and a new spin on a classic Patek Philippe watch. Victoria recaps her time in Park City, where she contemplated the present and future of retail with experts curated by PSFK. Rob reports on the change in leadershi…
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Episode 80: Guests Jules Kim and Vikki Tobak
28:57
28:57
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You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview two guests—Vikki Tobak author of Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History, and Jules Kim, owner and designer of Bijules Jewelry. They discuss how both women came up in the New York City club culture scene, and how it influenced both of their careers. Vikki talks abou…
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Episode 79: Facets 2022 and a Cartier Press Trip
25:25
25:25
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You’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss the Dubai Horology Forum in New York, the Facets 2022 conference in Antwerp, and Victoria’s tour of Cartier’s watchmaking facilities. They talk about some futuristic concepts, such as “digital twins,” that are being implemented in the Cartier facilities. They also…
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