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GOLD IS ON A ROLLER-COASTER RIDE, AND STORE OWNERS ARE CONTENDING WITH MYRIAD ISSUES FROM TARIFFS TO AI, BUT NOTHING BRINGS RETAILERS TOGETHER LIKE JCK AND LUXURY
BY
KAREN DYBIS

3–3:45 P.M.
Influencers, collectors, and timepiece enthusiasts will break down “Trends Every Watch Retailer Should Know.”
4–4:45 P.M.
In “How Digital Culture and Celebrities Influence Jewelry Buyers,” style experts examine the runway-to-retail pipeline. TRENDS






For Orin Mazzoni Jr., that means stopping by Doves (LUX823), Vahan (LUX317), and Artistry (LUX605). The owner of Orin Jewelers in Northville, Mich., says he is searching for client favorites like expandable bracelets, cross necklaces, and colored gemstone designs.
“We want to bring back something new, and these are our favorite brands and progressive designers,” Mazzoni says.

Jana Bowden of Beard Fine Jewelers in Lufkin, Texas, stopped by booths and ballrooms including Gabriel & Co. (VERONESE2504-05) to learn more about the latest CAD and technology updates. Her goal is to enhance her store’s bridal experience, boosting customization and personalization for engagement rings and wedding sets.
Bowden also is in the market for labgrown diamonds to fulfill the demand of customers looking for 2+ carat stones in their engagement rings. Lab-grown diamond studs also are big sellers for the store; Gen Z and millennial shoppers seek larger stones like the ones they see on social media, she explains. The store also






Our reports from the Luxury keynote and a JCK Talks session on the in-store experience.
The beloved Tucson show brings a selection of bold brands to the
It’s not your imagination: The lustrous gems are everywhere you look—in any and every color.
BY MELISSA ROSE BERNARDO
These vivid violet jewels radiate passion, power, and majesty. BY MELISSA ROSE BERNARDO


CONTINUED FROM COVER

wants to stock up on flexible and stretch bracelets, allowing clients more accessibility within their jewelry collections.
“Like everyone else,” says Mark Perle, owner of Mark Peter’s Diamond Designs in Plainfield, Ill., “I’m looking for what the next trend will be.”
Perle, like many other retailers, also is attending the show in part to meet with technology experts. The hope is to gain knowledge and receive guidance on how AI will help their businesses grow. Product-wise, he’s looking at silver jewelry both as a trend and as a cost-saving metal compared with gold as he’s shopping the show floor.
Yet that doesn’t mean retailers are shying away from gold—despite its high prices ($4,585 per ounce on opening day of JCK).
“Yellow’s still back,” says Marc Bigelow of Bluestone Jewelry in Tahoe City, Calif. He and his team are shopping JCK for yellow gold jewelry and custom looks from Plumb Club vendors.
Gold also is a focus for Anne Russell, executive vice president for Hamilton Jewelers.
“Yellow gold still seems very prevalent, and men’s jewelry continues to be an area of opportunity,” Russell says. “I also see a lot of vintage inspiration from Georgian settings.”
While diamonds are her main focus on the show floor, she says Hamilton’s clients in Princeton, N.J., and Palm Beach, Fla., are looking beyond the basics.
“Definitely bigger beads, necklaces on cords, and earrings that work for you. The multiple piercing trend has diminished, and now we are seeing double- and triple-hoop styles that give you the look without the commitment,” Russell says.
“We are always looking for new and innovative pieces and new setting styles across all categories: rings, earrings, necklaces. And different metal materials like titanium.”
What stood out for Meredith Schaffer of Bella Cosa Jewelers in Willowbrook, Ill., is JCK’s effort to showcase independent designers through areas such as the Out of the Jewel Box Experience in the Design Collective (14030) and the NouvelleBox section at Luxury (BASSANO2602).
NouvelleBox highlighted eight upand-coming brands—Julie Chafé, Maura Green, Lene Vibe, Fern Freeman, Kiaia, Tacit, Lazar, and Wyld Box—within a single ballroom.

Schaffer, a gemologist and appraiser, says she seeks out unique gemstones, jewelry that shows the hand of its creator, and pieces that connect with her as a consumer through emotion and storytelling. Having a chance to touch, try on, and experience new designers through NouvelleBox was her favorite part of this year’s show, she says, and something she hopes her store can bring back to clients who want something special.
“Everybody wants something bespoke,” Schaffer says.
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212-764-6080
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BY DAVID BLOMQUIST



SDuring his 45-minute session, Wahl produced three large paintings: the portrait of Lennon; a picture of the Statue of Liberty styled in red, blue, and yellow; and his version of a well-known image of Albert Einstein, which Wahl painted upside down and then turned around to applause.
He also displayed a takeoff on Johannes Vermeer’s Girl With a Pearl Earring in which the familiar pearl was replaced with a smashing diamond drop. He announced he’s giving that painting to Jewelers for Children to auction.
Wahl asked his Luxury audience of several hundred designers and retailers if they can draw. Fewer than half raised their hands.
tanding in front of a bare black canvas, Erik Wahl made bold strokes with thick paintbrushes, first in yellow and a peachy orange, then in black, and finally, with quick twists of his wrist, in red, gold, and green. In less time than a video took to play John Lennon’s “Imagine,” a portrait of the late Beatle emerged.
A deft dash of creativity like that, Wahl told attendees at the Luxury show’s keynote breakfast on May 28, can spark new connections with customers to keep a business growing amid increased competition from artificial intelligence.
“Sometimes it does pay to take a risk,” said Wahl, a painter, motivational speaker, and author of the best seller Unthink: Rediscover Your Creative Genius Wahl started his career on a conventional business path before losing his job during the dot-com bubble. He then seized on his talent for speed painting—the ability to create a fully realized celebrity portrait in just three or four minutes—as a device to inspire business leaders to take creative chances.
“If I went down to…any preschool anywhere in the entire country, and ask, ‘Hey, kids, who here can draw?’, the response you get is 100 percent,” Wahl said. “School taught us to think about one standard response, to become risk averse.”
That impulse to think only inside the box, he argued, leaves businesses vulnerable to AI’s automated thinking. Instead, he said, business leaders should be “intentionally slowing down, looking for a way to go back in and build an emotional connection of future customer loyalty.”
He reminded his audience that selling jewelry is in large part about selling emotions. “Make the truth fascinating,” he said. “It’s not about being either a dreamer or a doer, but…to allow ourselves that luxury of becoming dream doers.”
Prior to Wahl’s talk, the audience heard from Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy. (House of Botswana and the Natural Diamond Council sponsored the event.)
“We are living through a moment when consumers are surrounded by artificial experiences,” said Kenewendo. “People are searching again for things that feel real. They want to have things with duration, things with meaning, things that endure. And that is the power of Botswana natural diamonds.”
On Day 2 of the Luxury show at The Venetian Expo, attendees gathered for “Where the Customers Are: Driving Traffic in Today’s Market,” one of this year’s most insightful and practical JCK Talks panels.

JCK contributing editor Amy Elliott (pictured, far r.) moderated a group that included (from l. to r.) Becka Johnson Kibby, CEO of Edge Retail Academy; Fernanda Durmer, founder and designer of Denver-based Universal Deco; Dalton Powell, president of Oz’s Jewelers in Hickory, N.C.; and Kathleen Kimball, owner and CEO of George Thompson Diamond Co. in Camarillo, Calif. While each brought a different perspective shaped by their business and market, one theme quickly emerged: clienteling.
For some retailers, clienteling can feel intimidating—the fear being that outreach may come across as intrusive or overly sales-focused. But Kimball emphasized that the goal is connection, not simply
Clienteling took center stage at a retail-focused JCK Talks session
BY BRITTANY SIMINITZ
conversion. “Clienteling is very specific to the person—not sending a blanket text or e-blast out,” she said. “It is one on one, sharing a specific message about something.”
That personalized approach depends heavily on note-taking. From birthdays and anniversaries to recent repairs, children’s names, and small personal details, maintaining thorough records helps create a more thoughtful customer experience. “You don’t want to use your customers like an ATM,” Powell added. “You want them to feel special, invested in your store.”
The panelists agreed that a reliable customer relationship management platform is essential—not only for organization, but for identifying customer patterns and anticipating future purchases. “We’ve noticed that if a customer buys diamond studs, six to eight months later they’ll likely be in for an engagement ring,” Kimball shared. Powell built on the point: “Are you rolling out the red carpet for your pre-bridal customer?”
That’s not to say attracting new customers isn’t critical. Social media continues to
play a major role, particularly on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. For Durmer, an independent designer with a strong digital presence, TikTok has become an especially successful driver of new business.
For Powell, social media functions as a “marketing funnel,” offering teasers of what the store can provide. But he stressed that consistent, multiplatform visibility is what ultimately builds brand recognition.
“Getting your name in front of people—it’s really surprising how much of an impact that makes,” Powell said. “We had a new customer tell us, ‘I saw your ad on TV.’ We didn’t have an ad on TV. But because of that repetition and seeing our name, someone associated a TV ad with our store.”
The session proved rich with actionable insight, clearly resonating with attendees eager to bring new ideas back to their businesses. As one audience member remarked when the talk concluded: “That was the best hour of my life.”

REWARD YOUR BEST WITH ICONIC BRANDS THE POWER OF ONE FROM CITIZEN WATCH AMERICA
Anza Gems may be based in Seattle, but

Flower Cosmos Ring by Mazahri with a granularly traceable
0.5 ct. Anza
Gems ruby in 18k Fairmined gold

Braided pearl bracelets; $350–$950 each; PCD Pearls
With a perspective that stretches across centuries, Northern California jeweler Folium specializes in sculptural, hand-engraved fine jewelry that bridges ancient techniques and refined, modern design. Founder Myles Ryan handcrafts each piece with an eye toward modern heirlooms—work defined by depth, texture, and a level of individuality eplicate. “In a world of fast, mass-produced pieces, I chose the slower path,” Ryan says. “One bench, one torch, and my hands on every detail.”
Serpentis reversible huggies in 18k yellow gold and platinum with 1.61 cts. t.w. diamonds; $17,450; Folium


Specializing in natural pearls and precious coral, PCD Pearls sources designer jewelry from around the world while also offering its own selection of elevated essentials.
The Martinez, Calif.–based brand represents jewelers such as Marchisio 1859, Nabil Mouzannar, and J. Grahl Design, among others, through its curated collections of jewelry and objets d’art. Under its own label, the brand is debuting braided pearl bracelets this year, responding to rising gold prices and growing consumer interest in alternative materials.
Colorado-based Gold and Smoke leans into the unexpected, using flattened bullet molds to push the boundaries of fine jewelry. Bold, edgy, and surprisingly refined, the brand’s silver, gold, and platinum pieces pair mixed metals with colored gemstones in designs often associated with menswear but ultimately grounded in unisex appeal.
The brand’s tagline, “You are bulletproof,” reminds wearers of the powerful feeling the right piece of jewelry can conjure.
Bracelets in oxidized sterling silver, 18k yellow gold, and tsavorite garnet; $3,605–$17,655 each; Gold and Smoke
THE BELOVED TUCSON SHOW BRINGS SIX BOLD BRANDS TOGETHER IN THE DESIGN COLLECTIVE b y Brittany Siminitz

Kingdom rings in recycled 18k yellow gold with diamonds; $4,000–$16,100 each; Jennifer Dawes Design
Rémanimals brooch in rock crystal, mother-of-pearl, silver, diamonds, and 22k gold; $5,800; Rémy Rotenier


A pioneer in sustainable fine jewelry, Santa Rosa, Calif.–based Jennifer Dawes has built a reputation on her artisanal approach to bridal and fine jewelry.
Known for his artistic, hand-carved approach to fine jewelry design, Rémy Rotenier— born and raised in Paris, now a resident of Albuquerque, N.M.—creates sculptural, bold, organic styles. From miniature hand-painted Rémanimals brooches to high-end one-of-a-kind designs, Rotenier’s work is intended to inspire and captivate, with each piece meticulously crafted to capture the movement and texture of the natural world. This is where wearable art meets fine jewelry.
“Philosophical and thoughtful in everything I do, my collection is deeply intentional and imbued with meaning,” Dawes says. Crafted exclusively from recycled gold and ethically sourced gemstones, the brand’s alternative engagement rings and stacking styles, featuring her signature hammered matte finish, speak to today’s conscientious consumer.


































IT’S NOT YOUR IMAGINATION: THE LUSTROUS OCEANIC GEMS ARE EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK— IN ANY AND EVERY COLOR YOU CAN ENVISION
by Melissa Rose Bernardo

1 / Earrings with Tahitian pistachio pearls, 18k white gold pavé diamond demi-hoop, and pear diamond teardrops; $10,500; Willow Diamonds
2 / Pendant with white round akoya pearls and 0.16 ct. t.w. full-cut diamonds in 14k yellow gold on 16- to 18-inch necklace; $2,240; Artistry Ltd.

4 / Earrings with 13.5 mm South Sea pearls and 0.98 ct. t.w. brilliant-cut diamonds in 18k yellow gold; price on request; Jye’s

3 / 14k yellow gold freshwater white cultured pearl, lavender freshwater pearl, and Tahitian pearl choker; $7,795; Parlé
5 / Ring with pink freshwater and green Tahitian pearl and 0.54 ct. t.w. diamonds in 18k white gold; £7,000 ($9,500); Yoko London
























































































































Our unrivaled field gemologists and researchers identify colored stone treatments and geographic origins with accuracy and precision, so we can offer you trusted, industry-leading reports that help earn customer confidence.
• 28,000+ gem reference samples
• 100+ field expeditions worldwide
• 70+ researchers and gemologists
• A global network of colored stone laboratories










by Melissa Rose Bernardo



Anchoring the GEMS pavilion, AGTA is the largest association of its kind. Opening one day before the rest of JCK on Thursday, May 28.
The Bridal neighborhood at JCK is created exclusively for wedding products and trends. From semi-mounts to bands, retailers look here for the full suite of wedding jewelry.
At the center of the JCK show floor, the Currents neighborhood highlights timeless collections and exciting new launches from renowned brands. As a key destination for major buyers, Currents serves as the heart of the JCK experience featuring our industry’s anchors.
Jewelry designers cultivate their future within the Design Collective. Rising stars and established beacons let their jewelry tell their brand’s stories through individuality and craftsmanship. At the forefront of the floor and an anchor point for media moguls and creatives, the Design Collective is where one-of-a-kind pieces are discovered.
ESSENTIALS
As the most trafficked area on the show floor, Essentials & Tech delivers cutting-edge advancements in equipment and technology for the retail jewelry sector. Hands-on demos create an immersive experience that helps retailers and manufacturers develop innovative thinking and envision the future of their business.
Where jewelry and fashion converge in a neighborhood built by trends and style. New and noteworthy brands feature everyday pieces and statement accents—bridging the world of fine and fashion. Retailers look here to find affordable, stylish and durable pieces made with high-quality materials through unique craftsmanship.
First Look offers a dynamic range of finished gold, silver and fashion jewelry at accessible price points. Located in one of the most trafficked areas of JCK, this is where immediate delivery allows for fast stocking. This high-energy area attracts retailers and wholesalers looking to source, connect and buy.
The industry’s top service companies from associations to insurance providers and financial institutions can reach the finest in the jewelry industry.
Centered on the allure of colored gemstones, Gems is JCK’s vibrant home for the most diverse range of colored stones. Opening a day before the rest of the show, Gems is anchored by industry giant AGTA—the largest association of its kind. It’s also home to international vendors from the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), Sri Lanka and Thailand. Gems draws both domestic and international gemstone buyers, dealers, retailers and designers sourcing the latest in what’s hot in color over an extended show timeline before the rest of the industry is welcomed to JCK.
HONG KONG
Explore the Hong Kong jewelry market organized by HKJMA. Located in the Level 1 Ballrooms. Opening one day before the rest of JCK on Thursday, June 5.
INDIA
Selection of vendors & designs from India.
Discover a selection of the best design & manufacturing companies from Italy.
JAPAN
Selection of vendors & designs from Japan.
KOREA
Selection of vendors & designs from Korea.
LAB GROWN
The Lab Grown area at JCK helps key players in the industry gain and grow market share. Sourced by retailers, designers, manufacturers and wholesalers alike, this is the only location in the entire industry where growers will attract the most ROI.
Step into style in JCK's Lifestyle Pavilion. This area is dedicated to accessories, decor, unique gifts, and all the things that serve as a perfect complement to existing jewelry collections.
LUXURY
The pulse of the elite jewelry world, reserved for the industry’s finest retail stores and brands. Fusing a secure buying environment with a high-energy atmosphere, this is where the true business of the elite jewelry world happens. The setting, the ambience – all of it's what makes Luxury luxury
MEXICO
Selection of vendors & designs from Mexico.
NATURAL DIAMONDS
sponsored by Natural Diamond Council
The definitive source for natural diamonds, the Natural Diamond neighborhood at JCK is where all facets of the industry explore a diverse range of shapes, cuts and quality from around the world. Through unmatched hands-on sourcing, this is where retailers, designers, manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers and brands seek the finest stones in the natural diamond industry.
THE PLUMB CLUB
The Plumb Club represents an association of wholesale jewelry suppliers representing the fine jewelry, diamond and watch sectors.
RETAIL INNOVATION
The incubator of Essentials & Tech, Retail Innovation serves as the launching pad for startups and emerging companies to shape future advancements in jewelry retail. This is where retailers and manufacturers uncover the latest in services that will change the way they do business.
THAILAND
Selection of vendors & designs from Thailand.
TIMEPIECES BY LUXURY & JCK
The destination for prestigious watch brands in The Venetian Ballrooms.
TÜRKİYE
Selection of vendors & designs from Türkíye.











FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026
7:30 am – 9:30 am De Beers Group Breakfast (Advance Registration Required )
9:30 am – 6:00 pm JCK & Luxury Open
9:30 am – 6:00 pm JCK Key Retailer Lounge
9:30 am – 6:00 pm JCK PRO Lounge
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm JCK Signature Series
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm Timepieces Welcome Cocktail Event
8:30 pm – 10:30 pm JCK After Hours: Welcome Networking (Purchase Required )
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2026
7:30 am – 9:30 am JCK Keynote: Jesse Itzler Sponsored by Angola´s Diamond Potential
9:30





































Colored Stone Jewelry Grand Prize Winner
Vanessa Fernández Studio
Colored Stone Jewelry Over $30,000 Winner
Pompos Jewelry
Colored Stone Jewelry
$10,001–$30,000 Winner Biolgems
Colored Stone Jewelry
$5,001–$10,000 Winner Yael Designs
Colored Stone Jewelry
$2,501–$5,000 Winner
Tresor
Colored Stone Jewelry
$2,500 & Under Winner
Gabriel & Co.









Colored Stone Jewelry Influencers’ & Editors’ Choice Zome Luxury
Colored Diamond Jewelry Winner & Editors’ Choice Khepri Jewels
Colored Diamond Jewelry Influencers’ Choice Rahaminov Diamonds
Diamond Jewelry Over $10,000 Winner, Influencers’ & Editors’ Choice
Vanessa Fernández Studio
Diamond Jewelry
$10,000 & Under Winner
Frederick Goldman



























Lab-Grown Jewelry Winner
Angara



Lab-Grown Jewelry Influencers’ Choice
Smiling Rocks
Lab-Grown Jewelry Editors’ Choice
Anye Designs
Pearl Jewelry Over $2,500 Winner, Influencers’ & Editors’ Choice
Jiahn
Pearl Jewelry
$2,500 & Under Winner
Shy Creation
Gold Jewelry Over $2,500 Winner
Gabriel & Co.
Gold Jewelry
$2,500 & Under Winner
Piyaro by Aiya Designs
Gold Jewelry Influencers’ Choice Uneek Jewelry
Gold Jewelry Editors’ Choice
Renisis
Silver Jewelry Over $500 Winner & Influencers’ Choice
Nina Lara Design
Silver Jewelry
$500 & Under Winner & Editors’ Choice
Gabriel & Co.








































Mixed Metal Jewelry Winner, Influencers’ & Editors’ Choice
Norman Silverman Diamonds
Fashion/Bridge Jewelry Over $700 Winner
Alamea Hawaii
Fashion/Bridge Jewelry $700 & Under
Winner
Frederick Goldman
Fashion/Bridge Jewelry Influencers’ Choice
Nadri
Fashion/Bridge Jewelry Editors’ Choice
Nadri
Men’s Jewelry Over $2,500 Winner, Influencers’ & Editors’ Choice
Parlé Jewelry Designs
Men’s Jewelry
$2,500 & Under Winner
Thorsten
Best Price Point
$501–$1,000 Winner
Shy Creation
Best Price Point
$500 & Under
Winner
Gabriel & Co.
Best Price Point Influencers’ Choice
Stuller



Best Price Point Editors’ Choice
Frederick Goldman






























Best Earring Design Over $10,000
Winner
Parlé Jewelry Designs
Best Earring Design
$5,001–$10,000
Winner
CrownRing
Best Earring Design
$5,000 & Under
Winner
Shy Creation
Best Earring Design Influencers’ & Editors’ Choice
Rahaminov Diamonds
Best Bracelet Design Over $20,000
Winner
Izi Creations
Best Bracelet Design
$5,001–$20,000
Winner
CrownRing
Best Bracelet Design
$5,000 & Under
Winner
Alamea Hawaii
Best Bracelet Design Influencers’ Choice
Rahaminov Diamonds
Best Bracelet Design Editors’ Choice
Steven Royce
Best Ring Design Over $30,000
Winner & Influencers’ Choice
Mergin
Best Ring Design
$10,001–$30,000
Winner
Rogers Jewelry





































Best Ring Design
$6,100–$10,000
Winner
Kouzoupis Jewellery
Best Ring Design
$2,501–$6,000
Winner
Brilliant Earth
Best Ring Design
$2,500 & Under
Winner
Alamea Hawaii
Best Ring Design Editors’ Choice
Just Jules
Best Necklace Design Over $25,000
Winner
Norman Silverman Diamonds
Best Necklace Design Over $25,000
Winner
Rahaminov Diamonds
Best Necklace Design
$5,001–$25,000
Winner
Parlé Jewelry Designs
Best Necklace Design
$5,000 & Under
Winner
Berco Jewelry
Best Necklace Design Influencers’ & Editors’ Choice
Lindsey Scoggins Studio



















Best Wedding Design Over $10,000
Winner
Uneek Jewelry
Best Wedding Design
$2,501–$10,000
Winner
Sylvie Jewelry




Best Wedding Design
$2,500 & Under
Winner & Influencers’ Choice
Brilliant Earth
Best Wedding Design Editors’ Choice
Pompos Jewelry
Best Statement Piece Over $50,000
Winner
Rahaminov Diamonds

Best Statement Piece
$10,000–$50,000
Winner
Nelson Jewellery
Best Statement Piece Influencers’ & Editors’ Choice
Marisa Perry
Gender-Neutral Jewelry
Winner
Pompos Jewelry
Gender-Neutral Jewelry Influencers’ Choice
Frederick Goldman
Gender-Neutral Jewelry
Editors’ Choice
Stuller
Platinum Jewelry Over $20,000
Winner
AG Gems & Jewelry
Platinum Jewelry
$20,000 & Under
Winner & Editors’ Choice
Parlé Jewelry Designs
Platinum Jewelry Influencers’ Choice
Marisa Perry SEE ALL WINNERS AND FINALISTS:















































































































































































































