Editors

4 Takeaways from the First HardRock Summit

EditorsSep 27, 2021

4 Takeaways from the First HardRock Summit

Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator shares insights from the show, including what people have been buying and where it could go from here.

20210927_HardRock-header.jpg
The inaugural HardRock Summit in Denver included one area for fine gems and jewelry, called Sparkle & Joy, as seen here in this show floor shot. (Image courtesy HardRock Summit and PhotographyG.com)
Last week I was back with the gem world, and boy did it feel good.

I was lucky enough to travel to Denver to attend the first HardRock Summit, an event organized by two trade show veterans

There were two components to the show: “Evolution” for minerals and fossils, running concurrent with the Denver Gem & Mineral Show at the Colorado Convention Center, and “Sparkle & Joy,” which included AGTA GemFair Denver, at the Sheraton hotel.

I spent a day walking around the mineral shows at the convention center—which I loved because I’ve slowly become obsessed with the beauty of a fine specimen—and the rest of my time at Sparkle & Joy to get a pulse on how the trade is faring as well as to, of course, ogle some fine gems.

Here are a few insights and takeaways from my days in Denver.

1. How the market has been doing

The last time I had conversations with dealers in person was at the 2020 Tucson gem shows, and though I’ve connected remotely since then for various projects—including a story on how the trade handled a limited Tucson this year and a webinar about the state of the market—it was nice to be able to glean some perspectives in person once again.

What I heard in Denver seemed to be along the same lines as what I’ve been hearing for the past year and a half: the start of the pandemic was rough, when business came to a halt, but the rest of the year more than made up for it. 

We were coming off a strong start to 2020, with the sentiment in Tucson very positive about buying activity and what the rest of the year had in store for colored stones. 

Once the market opened again and trading activity resumed, people were indeed buying.

Demand has been there, as those with disposable incomes turned their spending to jewelry and the joys of colored stones, and with supply strained due to the pandemic, prices have been strong. 

I think it’s safe to say that color is in for a great holiday season. 

2. What’s selling

I also used my time at the booths to ask exhibitors what’s been selling over the past year or so.

Many of them reiterated that spinels are still hot, with several noting in particular that the gray/platinum-colored spinels continue to be hard to keep in stock.

Sapphires still do well for most. There were also several mentions of the increasing popularity of Montana sapphires, and teal sapphires overall, a trend that’s been a few years in the making and was mentioned by our fashion editor Ashley Davis in this year’s post-Las Vegas webinar

There were also many mentions of interest in bi-color stones as well as those with a slightly unusual color or cut, also trends I’ve been seeing in Tucson for a few years now. It doesn’t seem like the overall trend of consumers looking for something rare and special has done anything but boom during the pandemic. 

A few other trends I’m monitoring based on Denver conversations: Are emeralds having a comeback, especially as ruby prices rise? Will trends switch back to pastels again after some time of looking for bold, vibrant colors? 

 Related stories will be right here … 

3. The potential of the show

I think we all went into the HardRock Summit keeping a few things in perspective—it’s the first year, and the world is far from out of the weeds when it comes to the pandemic.

With international buyers and dealers unable to make the trip for various reasons and many stateside still opting out, it was a fairly small event (200 exhibitors total participating in both parts) and traffic on some days felt light.

Several exhibitors I talked to said they had a good first day and some other business throughout but noted other days were slower.

I didn’t see, or hear of, many consumers in Sparkle & Joy—the fact that the public would be allowed in was a popular topic of conversation before the show—to evaluate how that went, so we’ll have to see how the consumer element plays out in the future.

But everyone seemed to have the attitude that they weren’t expecting the HardRock Summit to be some big blowout event this year; rather, they were happy to be back at a trade fair and were excited to think about the show’s potential.

Denver has long hosted shows in the fall, mostly minerals and rough for cutters to source, so it definitely makes sense as a place to build for sourcing at that time of the year.

Plus, it presents an interesting opportunity amid the conversation about the future of trade shows.

The editors at National Jeweler have heard it asked time and again: Has the pandemic permanently changed the way we do business? And, what will be the role of trade events as life returns to “normal,” whatever that might be?

I think we can all agree trade shows and buying events will never go away—I certainly felt that on the show floor in Denver—but there also seems to be a reshuffling in terms of event strategy.

If people do indeed end up turning to fewer, select shows throughout the year, I think Denver and Tucson could prove to be the two big events for the domestic colored stone sector.

This could be especially true if predictions that fewer in the trade will travel to the Hong Kong gem and jewelry shows in the future comes to fruition.

20210927_HardRock-insert.jpg
A selection of fine minerals showcased at the recent “Evolution” event at the HardRock summit (Image courtesy HardRock Summit and PhotographyG.com)

4. The synergy between fine gems and minerals

I’ve always found it odd that the fine mineral and gem worlds can feel so separate. 

I realize the buyers for both are often divergent, as they are looking for different things or buying for different purposes. 

But they are two sides of the same coin, and I think interest in one can only build interest in another, and I loved getting to see both sides at the Summit. 

Evolution offered gorgeous fine specimens at many different price points, and the Denver Gem & Mineral Show offered smaller pieces and flats of specimens to look through, as you might see in the tents in Tucson. 

Getting to go from Evolution to Sparkle & Joy, the fine gem and jewelry show, the next day helped bring it all together and tells the perfect story about all the facets of gemstones, from rough to finished. 

The show already has confirmed that next year, both components of the HardRock Summit will be held together at the convention center, and I can’t wait to see how the synergies between them play out.

The Latest

LIM-401 2024 National Jeweler Supplier Bulletin- iD100 Web and Eblast FINAL (1).jpg
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Iowa jeweler Herman Ginsberg
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

Charles & Colvard moissanite ring
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to Noncompliance

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

gia1d100 btyb.jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

Young Diamantaires
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to Nonprofit

The organization also announced its board of directors.

Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Mined + Found "Hope" Matchbox Locket
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So Charming

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Bulgari’s expanded factory in Valenza, Italy
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in Italy

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

gia-topimage 0325.jpg
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Get online education from GIA experts.

Jason McNary accepting FGI Fine Jewelry Rising Star award for Paola Sasplugas
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ Award

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

1999 Cosmograph Daytona, Ref.16516
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to Auction

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

Carmelo Anthony and Jaylen Brown David Yurman campaign
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen Brown

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

Woman wearing Zales jewelry
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine Jewelry

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

JAR Apricot Blossom bracelet
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry Collection

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

National Jeweler columnist Lilian Raji
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of Mouth

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

Avi Levy
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth Officer

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

Scottsdale Fine Jewelers store exterior
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow Independent

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Cartier Exhibition Installation at Victoria & Albert Museum
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Bill and Birdie Levine of Van Cott Jewelers
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 Years

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

IJO Director Samantha Larson
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise Strategy

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.

Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host Convention

The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

Daymond John
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Dukachi Easter Bread Pendant
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ Pendant

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

Bremer Jewelry
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated Store

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

Tiffany & Co. Strong Like Mom campaign
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day Campaign

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Athena Calderone x John Hardy Collection
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired Collection

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs Impact

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

Natural Diamond Council Diamond Learning Center Graphic
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning Center

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy