Jennifer Heebner is the part-time executive director for the Cultured Pearl Association of America, where she helps promote pearls through the bimonthly #thisispearl magazine, photo shoots, social media, and an international design contest. Jennifer doubles as an award-winning journalist who has been covering fine jewelry and fashion for nearly 25 years and has long been a proponent of sustainable and beautiful pearls and the people behind the gems. Jennifer routinely meets with industry leaders and brands, and travels to major trade shows to maintain a pulse on the market. She also writes about designers, private collections, and business features for her own editorial website at jenniferheebner.com, The GemGuide, and Rapaport magazine. The Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) is a nonprofit founded in 1957. The group comprises the finest manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers, and suppliers of cultured pearls in the United States, and its goals are to improve retail marketability of pearls and cultivate demand among consumers. Through promotion, education, public relations, and unwavering commitment to the category, CPAA aims to inspire an authentic passion for all cultured pearl varieties. For more information about becoming a certified pearl expert, please visit PearlsAsOne.org. To learn more about the Cultured Pearl Association of America, please visit CPAA.org. To read our digital pearl magazine, head to hashtagthisispearl.com.