MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
OtherFeb 09, 2016
Rocks On: Color Predictions for the Tucson Gem Shows
In this month’s Rocks On, National Jeweler looks at which colored gemstones dealers expect to be most popular at the upcoming Tucson gem shows.
Pale pink hues, as seen in the morganite at the center of this Audrius Krulis ring, are expected to sell well at the upcoming gem shows in Tucson, Ariz.
New York--It’s about that time of year again.
Just as many areas of the country are hunkering down to get through the worst of winter, any and all involved in the colored gemstone market are heading out to desert to attend the Tucson gem shows, where an array of gems in all colors of the rainbow will be on display.
The hottest gems among buyers can be influenced by a number of factors, including trends that have carried over from the last year and the colors Pantone predicts will be popping up everywhere.
Here are the hues gemstone dealers and suppliers expect to be popular in Arizona this year.
Cotton candy colors
During last year’s shows, many exhibitors reported to National Jeweler that blues and pinks were selling well, and it seems like that will be a theme in Tucson again this year, with blue stones in particular expected to be in demand.
“I continue to see blue gemstones as being the most popular sellers for our customers,” said Richard Shull of gemstone dealer Out of Our Mines, adding that he expects to continue to see a demand for fine turquoise, indicolite, Peruvian blue opal and Paraiba tourmaline.
In fact, it seems like tourmaline stones in general could be one of the stars of the Tucson shows, offering up both saturated, stronger blues as well as blue-green and other even lighter hues.
Caesar Habib of Kaiser Gems, meanwhile, said that his company has been getting many inquiries for aquamarine since the end of the holiday season, which could be due to the fact that it is the March birthstone. He said that most of the customers looking for aquamarine center stones are requesting medium to medium-dark gems ranging in price from $200 to $300 per carat.
Similarly, gemstone dealer Kimberly Collins said she believes aquamarine, pale blue sapphires and the “sea foam/ocean colors of tourmaline” will be popular.
RELATED CONTENT: The Top Gems of 2015
Pantone’s colors of the year--Serenity and Rose Quartz--also will play a strong part in what is popular in Tucson. Not only will it help push the blues to the forefront, especially in softer hues, but the blush hue of Rose Quartz likely will boost demand for many light pink stones.
At the top of this list, not surprisingly, is the gemstone rose quartz as well as morganite. The latter stone has
been riding high for some time now. While it might not yet make up as large a percentage of sales as more well-known stones such as sapphires, it likely will continue to close that gap this year.
Habib said that in addition to aquamarine, the other stone they’ve been getting requests for almost daily has been for morganite valued at between $65 and $75 per carat, mostly in pear-shaped sets of two or three for earrings and a pendant.
The big three
For Diana Atieno at Porini Gems, it looks likely that sapphires, rubies and emeralds will maintain their in-demand status. At the same time, tsavorite garnet, a possible alternative to emeralds, is expected to be popular during the gem shows, she said.
“Its brilliance is unmatched and its green is very intense, giving it quite a sparkle,” she said. “Color is becoming quite a trend in engagement and wedding rings, and now people are looking for colored gems, especially tsavorite, for their center stones. I can say that tsavorites are the new diamonds.”
Meanwhile, while traditional blue sapphires will continue to reign, many dealers noted that they expect sapphires of all colors to sell.
With a variety of colors that can be applied to many trends, fancy sapphires seem to be a favorite when it comes to the new bridal market. Today’s young bride is looking for something that will set her apart, and as gemstone dealer Collins noted, “There is so much opportunity to do that when working with colored stones, specifically sapphires or spinel.”
She added that they provide even more size for the customer’s budget as well as a greater bottom line for the retailer. What’s more, she said, increased marketing of fancy colored diamonds is helping to boost interest in fancy sapphires.
Fine and rare stones
Today’s consumer, as has been discussed time and again, is looking for something different to express themselves, and in Tucson this could come in the form of buyers looking for that unusual or exceptional stone.
“This year I expect there to be a premium on fine and rare items,” said Bill Heher of gemstone company Rare Earth Mining, noting that he’s been seeing a rush on chrysocolla and Mexican jelly fire opal in unusual shapes, and expects to have a good show with fine rutilated quartz and cat’s eye stones.
For Boston Gems, moonstone tends to be particularly strong in Tucson, according to Paul Dragone. In fact, the company’s booth usually is comprised of 80 percent moonstone with five different varieties. But he also noted one new area that had opened up for them recently.
“The surprise stone for the holidays … that I feel will hold going forward into the summer is alexandrite,” Dragone said. “We had an unusually high volume of calls this season for matched pairs, melee and medium to large singles.”
Even as the finer material offering the best color-change characteristics has become increasingly difficult to source, pushing prices increasingly higher, consumer purchase history has shown us that there always will those willing to pay the price for that rarity.
More on Other
The Latest
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
