Events & AwardsJun 10, 2021
5 Things to Know About the JCK ShowEvents & AwardsJul 08, 2021
The Industry’s About 50/50 on Vegas This Year, Survey Shows
National Jeweler breaks down the results of its recent survey on people’s plans for the jewelry trade shows coming up in August.
From June 16-30, National Jeweler surveyed members of the industry on their plans for the Las Vegas shows in August. Read on to see what they had to say.
New York—Respondents to National Jeweler’s recent survey are divided about traveling to Las Vegas to attend the big trade shows later this summer.
Some are eager to meet with vendors and reconnect with colleagues, while others remain cautious about COVID-19 or say the late August dates don’t work for them.
A total of 515 people took the survey, with the majority of respondents, 77 percent, identifying as retailers or wholesalers/manufacturers.
Prior to 2020—a year in which COVID-19 forced the cancellation of jewelry trade shows worldwide—most respondents (77 percent) said they were frequent or regular attendees of the jewelry trade shows typically held in Las Vegas during late May/early June.
Some are eager to meet with vendors and reconnect with colleagues, while others remain cautious about COVID-19 or say the late August dates don’t work for them.
A total of 515 people took the survey, with the majority of respondents, 77 percent, identifying as retailers or wholesalers/manufacturers.
Prior to 2020—a year in which COVID-19 forced the cancellation of jewelry trade shows worldwide—most respondents (77 percent) said they were frequent or regular attendees of the jewelry trade shows typically held in Las Vegas during late May/early June.
This year, 54 percent said they still plan to attend even though the shows have been pushed back to late August. And 78 percent of those individuals are ready to go—they have their travel either partially (22 percent) or fully (56 percent) booked.
While in Vegas, survey-takers said they plan to attend: JCK Las Vegas, selected by 85 percent of respondents; Luxury by JCK, selected by 53 percent; Couture, selected by 37 percent; AGTA GemFair, selected by 36 percent; and/or the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show, selected by 26 percent.
Survey-takers cited their top two reasons for making the trip this year as meeting with existing vendors or clients (65 percent), and/or to meet new vendors or clients (56 percent).
Networking/social events are also a draw, cited by 48 percent of respondents, while only 20 percent of survey-takers said education is their reason for attending Las Vegas Market Week.
Conversely, 46 percent of respondents said they are not going (32 percent) or are unsure (14 percent).
The top reason for not attending was personal concerns about COVID-19 (40 percent), followed by the feeling that the shows are not necessary for their business (28 percent), and dates not working for their schedule (27 percent).
A quarter of people who answered this question marked “other,” with respondents most often writing in that they don’t want to deal with COVID restrictions—wearing a mask seemed to be a particular pain point—or the shows are too late in the year to allow for holiday buying.
“August is the wrong time for this show,” one respondent wrote, “too late for 2021 and too early for 2022.”
Among the 14 percent who are unsure, 37 percent said they are weighing the necessity of the trade shows while 34 percent are trying to determine if the dates work for them, and 28 percent have personal COVID-19 concerns.
National Jeweler conducted its return to Vegas survey between June 16 and 30.
Of the 515 respondents, about half (241) identified as retailers. The majority, 77 percent, have one store, while 13 percent operate between two and five locations. Five percent said they are an online-only retailer.
Thirty percent of survey-takers identified as manufacturers or wholesalers.
Eight percent said they are service providers and 7 percent are designers, while 4 percent identified as being association/nonprofit/education.
Five percent of respondents marked “other,” with a few writing in that they are members of the media.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
SourcingFeb 25, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
