MajorsJun 16, 2026
5 Things to Know About the 2026 NBA Championship TrophyThe New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.
EditorsJun 07, 2013
Lucky Number 3
We are not yet a full week removed from the madness and, I’ll be honest, I am exhausted. I stayed up too late on Sunday (along with many other nights) then had to catch a 7 a.m. flight home Monday. I definitely had the feeling all day that I had woken up in Vegas.
1) It was a good Vegas. I had the chance to walk both Couture and JCK and I would say both shows seemed upbeat, and busy.
It was my sixth Vegas, a paltry number compared to those industry veterans who have logged decades of trips to Sin City. But, still, I feel like I have a solid basis for comparison after half-a-dozen shows. This year’s “jewelry market week” activity, I believe, exceeded not only the down years of 2008, 2009, but also 2010 and 2011. It’s been the best year I’ve witnessed in terms of attendance and attitude since the downturn.
On the Couture side, some people were saying it was the best Couture ever, which would make sense considering the strength at the higher end of the market. Show organizers say that qualified attendance (retailers and press) was up 11 percent year-over-year.
JCK seemed busy as well, and I talked to one diamond dealer who said he did business mostly in bigger goods, 2 carats and up, while sales of melee slowed due to the number of jewelers sourcing smaller stones by breaking them out of gold buybacks.
2) The millennials are making waves. Dates for this generation vary depending on whom you ask. Some say the genesis of the millennials, also known as Gen Y, is in the late 1970s, while others push it into the early 1980s. In his State of the Diamond Industry presentation, Martin Rapaport defined the millennials as those aged 15 to 30, which would mean they born roughly between 1983 and 1998.
No matter their exact birthdates, it is a large generation (they are, after all, the children of the baby boomers) that is making a big impact on the world around them. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by the jewelry industry.
More companies are stressing ethical sourcing these days--can you say where your diamonds come from?--because younger people have expressed that they care about the origin of the products they buy and the ethics of the companies behind them.
There is also a greater emphasis on brands because this is a generation that identifies strongly with the story of the product they are buying and/or the ethos of the company behind it, which also ties
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
back to my previous point about ethical sourcing.
One more note about millennials: this is a generation that wants to have things their way, exactly.
Think about this: Apple’s now-iconic iPod debuted in 2001, when the oldest members of this generation were just 18. The iPod took listening, and purchasing, music to a whole new level, allowing people to buy songs a la carte instead of having to purchase entire albums. It also gave people the option of carrying virtually all of their music around with them and listening to it in any order they choose.
The lesson here for jewelers: millennials might not want exactly what you have in the showcase so you need to have a way of getting them a piece customized to their liking.
3) Supply chain transparency is a hot topic. This is a point that, obviously, ties back into No. 2--there is a large generation coming up that cares about this issue.
During the JCK show, there were sessions on responsible gold sourcing from the Responsible Jewellery Council, the new Diamond Source Warranty Protocol and the ethical “facets” of diamond sourcing as well as Rapaport’s annual Fair Trade Conference.
It’s becoming a bigger issue for diamonds and gold, as well as colored gemstones, and it’s one of which retailers need to make sure they are aware.
I enjoyed seeing everyone that I had the chance to chat with in Las Vegas. Have a great weekend; I leave you with this brief but Lucky dance lesson to get it started.
One more note about millennials: this is a generation that wants to have things their way, exactly.
Think about this: Apple’s now-iconic iPod debuted in 2001, when the oldest members of this generation were just 18. The iPod took listening, and purchasing, music to a whole new level, allowing people to buy songs a la carte instead of having to purchase entire albums. It also gave people the option of carrying virtually all of their music around with them and listening to it in any order they choose.
The lesson here for jewelers: millennials might not want exactly what you have in the showcase so you need to have a way of getting them a piece customized to their liking.
3) Supply chain transparency is a hot topic. This is a point that, obviously, ties back into No. 2--there is a large generation coming up that cares about this issue.
During the JCK show, there were sessions on responsible gold sourcing from the Responsible Jewellery Council, the new Diamond Source Warranty Protocol and the ethical “facets” of diamond sourcing as well as Rapaport’s annual Fair Trade Conference.
It’s becoming a bigger issue for diamonds and gold, as well as colored gemstones, and it’s one of which retailers need to make sure they are aware.
I enjoyed seeing everyone that I had the chance to chat with in Las Vegas. Have a great weekend; I leave you with this brief but Lucky dance lesson to get it started.
More on Editors
The Latest
TrendsJun 16, 2026
Post-Vegas Jewelry Trend Report: Big Beads, Western Flair, White MetalsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.
SourcingJun 16, 2026
GemGuide Updates Ruby PricesIts app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
Sasha Primak Hires New Design DirectorThe manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.
Weekly QuizJun 11, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJun 15, 2026
DeBoulle Diamond & Jewelry to Renovate Dallas FlagshipThe revamped, elevated space will feature a two-story Patek Philippe atelier and a rooftop patio for parties.
WatchesJun 15, 2026
G-Shock, Coca-Cola Partner on Bottle-Inspired WatchThe special-edition piece marks the 140th anniversary of the iconic beverage brand.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
TrendsJun 15, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Tiny Charms Are TrendingHere are 13 small charms to inspire your layered looks this summer.
AuctionsJun 12, 2026
16th-Century ‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Going Up for Auction in LondonFound by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
AuctionsJun 10, 2026
31.62-Carat ‘Azure Blue’ Diamond Sells For $8M+ at Christie’sIt was a banner day for blue gemstones, with another blue diamond topping $8 million and a 41-carat sapphire going for $2.3 million.
MajorsJun 10, 2026
Saks Global Receives Bankruptcy Court Approval for ReorganizationThe approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.
CrimeJun 10, 2026
2 Suspects Arrested in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyThe men are believed to be part of the group of several masked suspects that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers in April.
CollectionsJun 10, 2026
Sylvie Debuts ‘Elevated’ Bridal Collection Inspired By Designer’s RingThe bridal-focused brand is also launching its Custom Atelier this summer, a digital custom design tool for its authorized retailers.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Wilkerson's Russ Whitehouse RetiresThe industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2026
Pride Month Panel to Highlight LGBTQ+ Jewelry VoicesThe panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ leaders across the jewelry, luxury, and creative industries.
CollectionsJun 09, 2026
Marie Lichtenberg’s New Capsule Collection Is a Smash, LiterallyInspired by a locket that got run over, the “Smash” capsule collection reimagines the shape of Lichtenberg’s signature style.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names Director of Sales for SoutheastThe company has promoted Katherine Whitacre to the role.
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
