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
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
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.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
