Mixed Results for the Summer Shows in Las Vegas

SJ
trade shows
Top: These amazing Colombian trapiche emeralds,
supplied by MUZO and set in gold, gave designer Selim
Mouzannar a win in the 'Colored Gemstones Above 20K'
category at the Couture Design Awards.
Below: Emerald and diamond ring
by Fabergé.
Mixed Results for the Summer
Shows in Las Vegas
Perhaps nowhere on earth do we find such a hectice and eclectic week of professional shows
devoted to the jewelry—and increasingly watch—industry as we find in Las Vegas during
the first week of June. This article offers a just a brief sampling of the many beautiful
gems and jewels, at all price points, seen during this Jewelry Week... By Cynthia Unninayar
J
ewelry Week in Las Vegas kicked off with an
expanded version of Couture that opened on June 2 at
the prestigious Wynn Las Vegas. The five-day, by-invitation show was bustling with activity on the first day.
Opening its doors on the same day was the four-day
Las Vegas Antique Watch and Jewelry Show. Held
at the Paris Hotel, its exhibitors showcased an
array of vintage timepieces and jewels.
The largest event of the week, with some
2400 exhibitors, was JCK, held at the
remodeled Mandalay Bay Convention Center on June 3 for four days.
A new entrance off the main parking
lot greeted visitors as they approached
the main area. Quasi-organized into
“neighborhoods,” by product category
or by national pavilion, the enormous first
floor also included the Design Center and
Rising Stars areas as well as several national pavilions.
Even Luxury, on the second floor, had been expanded
into two separate halls, eliciting complaints from more
than one visitor that they could not find certain brands—
and brands bemoaning that they were not found…
Opening the same time as JCK, JIS ( Jewelers International Showcase, a cash-and-carry show) welcomed visitors at the Tropicana Hotel.
38
| J U LY 2 0 1 6
| J E W E L R Y S H O WC A S E
Watches were also on the menu this year as both
Couture and JCK incorporated more timekeepers into
their shows. And a new independent show, Luxury Suisse,
invited the trade to discover renowned, niche Swiss watch
brands on June 4 and 5, at the Trump Hotel.
The traditional five-day AGTA, June 2 to
6, featured its usual assortment of fine faceted and rough gemstones.
Impossible to cover everyone, this
overview gives a glimpse into some of
the interesting and beautiful jewelry on
display during Jewelry Week, from economical pieces to very high-end.
Mixed Reactions
It comes as no secret that the global jewelry industry has not shown spectacular results during the first half of 2016, starting with
the January shows and continuing right through
winter and spring. And, this slowdown appears to have
continued even through the summer shows in Las Vegas.
With jewelry sales in the USA showing slightly better results in 2015—sales of around $66.5 billion—than
the previous year, marking a slight turnaround from 2013
and 2014, there was reason for cautious optimism at this
year’s Jewelry Week. Lower metals prices in the first quar-
ter of 2016 and continued softening of polished diamond
prices, due to high inventories and a plethora of reclaimed
diamonds, indicated reasons for greater demand. Yet, after
walking the halls at the shows, it was abundantly clear that
fewer visitors showed up compared to last year and, according to most exhibitors, less business was conducted.
Among the most prolific categories was a vast assortment of earwear, including climbers and cuffs. Attracting
much attention was the vast diversity of finger fashion,
with rings now adorning multiple fingers and even nails.
Long diamonds or gemstones by the yard were popular as
were with chains and layered necklaces, while brooches
were back in many styles and materials. Cuffs of all widths
and designs were on display at most booths, and innovative transformable jewelry was quite popular this year.
Silver was the material of choice for many designers and
manufacturers. At the higher end of the silver spectrum,
pieces included diamonds and gemstones, while more economical fashion silver jewelry was adorned with created
stones of all colors.
>>
Paraiba, emerald and diamond
earrings in gold by Caroline C.
On the other hand, though, there were optimistic bright
spots. Some companies said they did well, especially those
at Couture, although the positive sentiment was by no
means universal at the upmarket show. Athough there
were fewer visitors, many of the Couture brands were happy with the interest and contacts generated at the show,
stating that the buyers who showed up were serious.
At the other shows, especially JCK, most of the exhibitors that I interviewed bemoaned the lack of buyers and
business. They believed this was due to several reasons: the
general economic climate, too many shows, the presence of
JIS, which they felt spread buyers too thin, and uncertainty
about the desire of millennials to purchase jewelry.
But, all was not gloomy. A significant number (although
a minority in my informal survey) of exhibitors felt that
the show met or exceeded their (low) expectations. Three
newcomers to JCK’s Luxury section, Laura Bicego of Italian brand Nanis, Sabina Lee of Hong Kong-based Green
G, and U.S.-based Erica Courtney reported good results.
Yet, while there may have been a shortage of buyers during Jewelry Week, one thing is sure. There was no shortage
of creativity in jewelry design.
Trending Styles
In Las Vegas, there was truly something for everyone,
from inexpensive silver, bronze or steel pieces to luxurious diamond and gemstone-studded jewelry in gold or
platinum. JCK, in particular, embodied a very democratic
assortment of jewels. Just about everything could be found
at both branded companies and unbranded manufacturers.
Opal, Paraiba tourmaline and
diamond earrings in gold by
Erica Courtney.
Transformable jewelry offers versatility for its
wearer, such as this mix-and-match ring in
gold and diamonds by Nanis.
Australian opal and
multi-gem ring in gold
by Green G.
Illustration by Meredith Wing for Muse/Gemfields,
evoking colorful gemstones and jewelry.
J E W E L R Y S H O WC A S E M A G A Z I N E . C O M | J U LY 2 0 1 6 | 3 9