Jewelers who misinterpret the state of the jewelry market risk employing the wrong retail strategy, cautions columnist Sherry Smith.
Market roundup: What buyers wanted in Miami
If the recently concluded trade shows in Miami are any indication, trendy diamond fashion jewelry will continue to be the hot item in the coming holiday season and beyond.
Miami--If the Miami trade shows were any indication, trendy diamond fashion jewelry will continue to be the hot item in the coming holiday season and beyond.
Last week, the city played host to the Centurion South Beach show as well as the Jewelers International Showcase (JIS) Miami event, which was the first JIS show since Reed Exhibitions acquired the group and also included, for the first time, a Luxury component.
According to a number of exhibitors at both shows, wearable diamond and gold fashion pieces at affordable price points were the top items retailers wanted.
Debbie Hakimian at Doves by Doron Paloma, which had booths at both shows, said that trendy diamond fashion jewelry at good price points and pieces that can be layered “have been hot for a while and continued to be.” She also noted that for the first time in a while people were asking for chunky rings and large earrings.
Meanwhile, KC Design’s Tiffany Sabo said that the brand continues to see geometric shapes do well in jewelry, a trend that doesn’t show any sign of slowing. For the show, some of the brand’s best-selling designs were the geometric diamond pave fashion pieces that allow for everyday wear and layering.
Designer Frederic Sage has seen the uptick in interest in diamond and gold jewelry as well and has added such pieces to his collection--but with his own twist to give his customers an everyday, wearable look that’s a little different. Additionally, Sage said that said that his bridal line was doing well, with more people looking for “alternative halos” as well as mixed metals.
For Gabriel & Co., retailers generally were looking to spend between $500 and $1,500 and again were looking for wearable diamond pieces, with the team pointing out a specific diamond pave and 14-karat white gold spiral bangle as the piece that was getting the most attention from buyers during JIS.
Bridal also sold well at the shows for many exhibitors, which is not surprising given the time of year.
Shah Diamonds said that oval stones have been coming back, and emerald cuts are moving back into play as princess cuts lose popularity. Hank Stepowski at A. Jaffe, meanwhile, said that they were noticing that their simpler, clean bands were doing well for millennial brides.
While white metals still are the top choice, yellow gold continues to trend upward
Large, chunky yellow gold pieces also seemed to be popular.
Retailer feedback led the Tanya Farah brand to extend its line to include matte gold chain necklaces and bracelets as well as stackable gold rings that were selling fast with buyers at the show. At the same time, they launched new pieces with opals because people were looking for more color, the brand’s Tiana Conyers told National Jeweler.
Even as the economy and retail sales were sluggish in the first half of the year, there seemed to be some optimism about the holiday season.
Doves’ Hakimian said that, “Summer has been slow for retailers across the country, but everyone seemed hopeful for a good Christmas season.”
So far, analyst predictions for the holiday months are optimistic, though not overly so. The general consensus is that it will be a solid but not great holiday season.
The National Retail Federation retail sales to increase 4 percent year-over-year in November and December, just as it did last year. And industry analyst Ken Gassman has characterized himself as cautiously optimistic about the upcoming holiday season because consumers seem ready to spend again.
The Latest

In her newly expanded role, she will continue to oversee the jewelry category, as well as watches, home, and accessories.

“The Godfather II” watch plays two melodies from the mob film’s score, “The Godfather’s Waltz” and “The Godfather Love Theme.”

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

The Alan Hodgkinson Medal recognizes gemologists who are consistently generous with their time and expertise.


The Swiss watchmaker is changing up its executive leadership team as part of a restructuring.

The “What’s Your Signature?” campaign invites women to think about how they see themselves.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The big diamond’s sale added to the company’s revenue though the market remains “challenging” overall, particularly for smaller goods.

The Jewelry Symposium will honor two industry veterans with lifetime achievement awards at its upcoming May event.

With their durability, brilliance, and beauty, diamonds are the perfect stone for everyday birthstone jewelry.

The retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.

Smith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.

John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.

Founder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.

“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.

“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.

Signet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.

The antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.

Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.

Iconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.

The luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.

The NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.

The one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.

The new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.

The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.

It is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.




























