The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
JCK Show Adds Dedicated Section for Man-Made Diamonds
A first for the show, it’s called “Lab-Grown” and there are 13 companies signed up to exhibit so far.

Wilton, Conn.--JCK Las Vegas will have a dedicated section for man-made diamonds this year, a first for the trade show.
Called “Lab-Grown,” the section will be located on Bayside, Level 1, near the section for bridge jewelry, the Design Center, the new-last-year JSA Security Pavilion and the new estate jewelry and watch section.
Exhibitors in “Lab-Grown” mainly will be selling loose stones.
JCK Industry Vice President Katie Dominesey said show organizers opted to create a dedicated section for man-made diamonds because of feedback from last year’s show.
Lab-grown diamonds was the No. 1 inquiry at JCK 2017, both at the information hubs on the show floor and on the app.
“We’ve seen the number of lab-grown diamond vendors grow over the past few years and recognize that it is important to have a dedicated space on the show floor while also distinguishing Lab-Grown separately from Diamond Plaza,” she said. “We want to ensure we give these vendors their own destination on the show floor.”
So far, 13 companies are signed up to exhibit in the section including New Diamond Technology, the Russian company known for growing big colored diamonds; Pure Grown Diamonds (formerly Gemesis); and WD Lab Grown Diamonds, the Washington, D.C. company that just grew a 6-carat white diamond.
A full list of the companies exhibiting in Lab-Grown is available on the JCK show website. The section is expected to total 30, Dominesey said.
She said the current plan is to keep the lab-grown section for the 2019 show, which will be back at the Sands.
“If this is an area that customers are looking for, then we will continue it,” she said.
After moving last year to accommodate the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, JCK Las Vegas is returning to its usual date pattern this year.
The show will take place Friday, June 1 to Monday, June 4 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
The Latest

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.


The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.