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Live from Tucson: The week kicks off with JCK
Monday marked the first official day of the buying and selling activity that happens every February in Tucson. So far, sapphire and ruby are in demand along with gold and diamond finished jewelry.
During the week, the city of Tucson will become awash in a wide variety of colored gemstones. And while attention will shift to loose stones as more shows open over the next few days, JCK also had many booths of finished jewelry.
Lena Agdere, whose father designs the Lord Jewelry brand, said Monday that JCK Tucson show attendees did seem to be interested in colored gemstone pieces but also noticed a positive response to their collection of one-of-a-kind pieces. “People are always so excited to be able to offer unique pieces that no one else has, and we're seeing a very positive reaction so far at the show.”
The Effy brand brought to Tucson the line of emerald jewelry that it launched in celebration of its 35th anniversary, and which Lloyd Ebrani told National Jeweler has continued to do very well for them.
They also had on display the gemstone lines that continue to be in high demand, including rubellites, opals, aquamarine and morganite as well as staples like blue topaz.
“We love this show. Tucson is a great market and everyone who is interested in gemstones is here, so we’re looking forward to it,” he said.
The Izi Creations team said that their line of morganite also was garnering a lot of attention, though not as many were buying it, which could’ve been because of the large sizes of stones used in the collection.
What was popular, however, were precious stones such as emeralds, sapphires and rubies.
Similarly, Zahid Syed at Americas Gold said that the larger, chunkier stones that are popular with their Caribbean customers aren't getting the same response at this show. Rather, they’re finding that the U.S. buyers like one of their newest products, a line of rainbow sapphire jewelry.
At the Chanmel Gems booth, much of the interest from the first day of the show also was for loose sapphires, both the classic blue tones as well as pink hues, according to N. Chandimal.
Lauren Schumann of Jordan Scott added that the first day had been
very strong and that they’re, “hoping to have four more days just like this.”
She said that their pieces with Paraiba tourmaline slices had been doing well, and also were working to pull in people who then also would buy more affordable, everyday diamond pieces, another trend at the show.
Patricia Rodriguez of Super Bell Jewelry said that rather than looking for colored stones on Monday, many buyers at their booth were purchasing diamond and gold jewelry at all price points, particularly rings, bangles and drop earrings.
Kapil Benara of United Gemco Inc. reiterated that thought, reporting that their most popular item so far that day had been a pair of earrings that are very much on-trend right now--featuring a diamond ball stud in front and a second ball in the back--and complementary styles in necklaces as well.
JCK Tucson will run through Saturday. The AGTA GemFair opens today and goes through Sunday at the Tucson Convention Center.
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