Events & Awards

7 Predictions for the Tucson Gem Shows

Events & AwardsJan 23, 2018

7 Predictions for the Tucson Gem Shows

National Jeweler talked to several exhibitors about what they expect to see and sell.

20180123_Tucson-header.jpg
Exhibitors of the Tucson gem shows told National Jeweler they expect pinks/purples and blues to do well, while one said they are expecting garnets to sell. Pictured here from left to right are a tsavorite garnet, a spinel and a Mandarin garnet from Nomad’s.

New York--Next week will see the start of the Tucson gems shows for the trade.

The American Gem Trade Association’s GemFair and the Gem and Jewelry Exchange both open on Tuesday, Jan. 30, with JCK Tucson starting the following day, though there are numerous other shows for anyone interested, offering gems, minerals and fossils.

Ahead of the industry’s week out in the desert, National Jeweler spoke with exhibitors from a few of the trade-focused shows about what they’re anticipating.

Here’s what they had to say.

1. There’s plenty of positivity going into the shows.

Over the past few years, members of the gemstone sector have reported feeling better and better about demand for colored stones and their increasing popularity, especially when it comes to buying at the Tucson gem shows.

This year appears to be no different, with the exhibitors National Jeweler interviewed saying they felt good about this year’s shows.

Gem 2000’s Shomais Shirazi said she thinks there’s a lot of “positive energy” right now in terms of people being interested in jewelry and gems, and “If the trend continues, it should be a good Tucson.”

Simon Watt of Mayer and Watt reiterated this idea, noting he thought it “was a strong Christmas for many people, and I think that’ll likely carry over (to Tucson).”

Raja Shah of Color First said that they saw a lot of activity at the end of the year, starting two weeks prior to Thanksgiving and continuing through the holiday season.

He said over the past three or four years, they’ve noticed a smaller number of people attending the shows, but of those who do attend, they are visiting intentionally and purposefully, looking to buy.

Shah added that he believes many retailers also did well in stores or online during the holiday season and will need to restock.

Sailesh Lakhi of Sparkles and Colors USA/Lakhi Gem Group said he thinks people at the shows will “definitely” be buying, noting an increased demand in general in 2017 that he expects to continue in Tucson, led by a desire for colored stone engagement rings.

2. Buyers will be more interested in high-quality cuts.

“I have observed that, now more than ever, cutting is becoming a huge part of the gem buying process,” Jaimeen Shah of Prima Gems USA told National Jeweler, “mostly owing to some fabulous new cutters coming in on the circuit marketing their

precision cuts just as much as their gemstones.”

With social media and online marketing bringing images and videos to the forefront, cutting has become more important, pushing aside the “mediocre” cutting that has flooded the colored stone market for some time.

“I see this trend of designer cuts and brand marketing based on cutters and their cutting styles becoming huge in the coming years,” Shah said.

Gem 2000’s Shirazi echoed the sentiment, saying that they also have noticed that buyers are more aware that stones can be well-cut and bright.

She added that customers now are looking for better cuts in any materials, not just for the finer stones.


Pink and purple stones, like this 1.97-carat purple garnet from Color First, are expected to do well in Tucson.

3. The high end will be hot.

The high end has, for a few years now, been leading much of the way in colored gemstone demand.

“The good stuff is selling for crazy money,” Shah of Color First said. “It’s almost like money is no object.”

Shirazi said that, “The world market in general, not just the U.S., now wants nicer material,” but noted that finding higher-quality stones, across all varieties, also has become much more difficult.

She said she’s seen the buying in lower-quality goods drop off, as even those buyers start to look for nicer loose stones.

Lakhi noted demand for high-quality material as well, but added that the lower end is moving too.

What’s soft, he said, is the middle tier, an issue that has been brought up before during the gem shows.

4. A few colors will be prominent.

It feels like it’s been a tale of two colors for the past couple of years in colored stones--blues and pinks--and, according to what many of these exhibitors said, 2018 isn’t looking to be all that different.

Lakhi thinks there will be a blue trend happening at the shows, led by the popularity of blue sapphires, which are always hot items.

Shirazi, too, said that a classic blue almost always does well for them.

But both also noted that the popularity of sapphires doesn’t just apply to the blue version of the corundum, having long ago broadened to include fancy colors.

Shirazi said she thinks the larger interest that Gem 2000 has seen in fancy colored sapphires has been spurred by the desire for unique, custom engagement rings that also feature a durable, quality stone.

She expects the pink, purple and peach sapphire varieties to do well for them this year in Tucson, and said the demand for those colors also has also helped increase the popularity of red and pink spinel.

The latter stones also have been doing well for Color First, though Shah said he thinks it’s not only due to color trends, but also a result of the gem becoming a birthstone.

Shah added that he thinks the recent announcement of the color of the year--Ultra Violet--also could have somewhat of an effect on purple and violet demand in Tucson, which could help bolster demand for stones like sapphires and garnets.

In fact, garnets stand a lot to gain from recent color trends, offering a variety of hues and working for not only the pink/purple trend but also the pastel trend with shades like “mint.”

Josh Saltzman of Nomad’s said they saw a surge in popularity last year for the fine color Malaya, rhodolite, mint grossular, tsavorite, demantoid and Mandarin garnets.

He said the small production of the fine pink and orangey-pink Malaya has driven up demand there. Meanwhile, more mint grossular garnet on the market has driven up the demand as more consumers have seen the material in jewelry, and they expect the trend to continue.


Blues also continue to be popular. Seen here is a Ceylon sapphire weighing 10.12 carats from Gem 2000. 

5. Unique stones and the mixing of colors will reign.

Shirazi said a recent buying trend they’ve been seeing that they believe will continue is designers being innovative with color and really looking to combine them in unique and fun ways to make distinctive pieces.

“Seeing them mixing colors is really fun for us and really exciting because it makes a statement and the desirability of jewelry goes up.”

Tracy Lindwall of Nomad’s told National Jeweler that designers are creating unique color combinations through colored side stones, colored pave or two-tone earring pairs.

“You can tell a lot of stories with colored stone jewelry, and it’s nice to see designers really play with color to get their point of view across.”

6. There likely won’t be much change in pricing across the board.

Over the past few years, there has been a steeper increase in gemstone pricing, Shirazi said, though she doesn’t expect that to be the case this year; she told National Jeweler that she thinks pricing could level off a little around the shows.

Watt said the same thing, noting that he doesn’t think there are many factors putting the pressure on pricing right now. He said the only exception is sapphires, as he’s seen a recent increase in pricing of the stone, though he’s not sure why. Otherwise, he said he expects prices to be fairly stable.

Lakhi expects good quality stones to hold their prices, but noted he’s been seeing a decline in prices for medium and lower qualities.

7. Buyers will be asking all the right questions.

Shah of Prima Gems USA said what he’s observed in the past year is more “extremely intelligent and conscientious questions asked by the clients”--they want to know where their stones are coming from down to what mine, who’s cutting them and what path they take to reach their hands.

“I believe it’s coming from the marketing that the diamond guys are putting into their stores,” he said.

The trend in diamonds last year, he explained, was all about the story of how each diamond was mined, followed by visual progress of that particular diamond all the way to the final piece of jewelry the client purchased.

The conversation is well underway in the colored stone industry, which means that “now more than ever, dealers connected directly with the source are benefiting hugely if they are able to document their travels and bring back more than just gemstones.”
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Jewelers of America logo
IndependentsMar 28, 2024
JA to Host Series of Learning Workshops

The first one will take place next month during the Jewelers of Louisiana’s and Mississippi Jewelers Association’s conventions.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Madison Avenue NYC store
WatchesMar 28, 2024
Peek Inside Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Revamped NYC Flagship

The redesigned boutique features interactive displays and a workshop space for hands-on learning about watchmaking.

Asian Star’s diamond manufacturing facility in India
SourcingMar 27, 2024
Compliance, Caution, and Concern: The Current Outlook of Indian Diamantaires

There is a willingness to comply with new government-mandated regulations, with an insistence that they should be practical and realistic.

Jewelers of America Fly In Washington, D.C.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers of America Represents Your Business

For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.

Kira Diam solar plant
Lab-GrownMar 27, 2024
Indian Lab-Grown Diamond Manufacturers Keep Growing

A combination of factors is driving growth in the industry despite the precipitous drop in prices across the board.

Weekly QuizMar 21, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
Take the Quiz
Bharat Ratnam, a Mega Common Facilitation Centre (CFC)
SourcingMar 27, 2024
Reinvigorating SEEPZ, the Epicenter of India’s Studded Jewelry Exports

The zone’s modernization will enhance and increase India’s jewelry manufacturing capabilities while aiding small and mid-sized businesses.

SRK Empire and SRK House
Policies & IssuesMar 27, 2024
SRK Exports’ Journey Toward Net Zero Impact

By the end of this year, SRK’s diamond manufacturing complexes will achieve net zero emissions, one of an impressive array of achievements.

BTYB-HoBrothers-updated.png
Brought to you by
The Scalable, Professional, and Effortless Solution for High-Demand Custom Jewelry Retailers

Ho Brothers offers scalable solutions for the future of custom jewelry.

Georgia May Jagger Tommy Hilfiger ad campaign
FinancialsMar 27, 2024
Movado’s Full-Year Sales Sink 11%

The company plans to invest $25 million in marketing initiatives to boost awareness around its namesake and licensed brands.

Hand holding shopping bags
SurveysMar 27, 2024
Consumer Confidence Held Steady in March

Optimism about the current state of the economy was offset by anxiety around inflation and the political environment.

Bernadette Mack
Policies & IssuesMar 27, 2024
Mercury Free Mining Hires Bernadette Mack

The former WJA executive director is MFM’s new managing director.

April Is Diamonds Do Good Month
Policies & IssuesMar 27, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces Its April Initiative

DDG encourages retailers to educate customers on the positive impact of purchasing natural diamonds.

Tiffany & Co. With Love, Since 1837
MajorsMar 26, 2024
Tiffany & Co. Debuts ‘With Love, Since 1837’ Campaign

Highlighting the most iconic Tiffany collections, it’s inspired by the company’s late window designer, Gene Moore.

National Jeweler columnists Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsMar 26, 2024
Creative Connecting: AI Tools and Tips for Social Media

Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen explore how jewelers can save time and money by using AI to analyze engagement and create content.

Nordstrom Men’s Store New York City
MajorsMar 26, 2024
Nordstrom May Go Private, Says Report

The retailer previously turned down an $8.4 billion offer in 2018.

Interior of Miami Lakes Jewelers
IndependentsMar 26, 2024
Miami Lakes Jewelers to Close After 37 Years

The Florida store’s owner Miguel Gonzalez is retiring.

 International Gemological Institute
GradingMar 26, 2024
IGI Announces Tech for ID’ing Lab-Grown Colored Diamonds

The lab stresses the importance of accurate identification, as the difference in price is “substantial.”

Kendra Scott lab-grown diamond jewelry
CollectionsMar 25, 2024
Kendra Scott Debuts Lab-Grown Diamond Fashion Jewelry

The brand also plans to expand its retail footprint from 138 to 200 stores over the next three years.

Carie Lehrke and Megan Mattice
MajorsMar 25, 2024
Borsheims Announces New VP of HR, Assistant Manager

Longtime employees Carie Lehrke and Megan Mattice have received promotions.

My Next Question graphic vintage jewelry webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 22, 2024
Watch: How to Buy and Sell Vintage Jewelry

Three guests joined National Jeweler and Jewelers of America to discuss trending time periods, spotting reproductions, and more.

Chris Clipper and Robert Lepere
MajorsMar 22, 2024
David Yurman Announces New CFO, Chief People Officer

Chris Clipper and Robert Lepere join the company with 50 years of combined experience.

Nakard pyrite earrings
CollectionsMar 22, 2024
Piece of the Week: Nakard’s Pyrite Earrings

The trendy, metallic earrings wink at classic spring colors.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeMar 21, 2024
Sparks Fly as Burglars Lose Safe on California Freeway

JSA said a man and woman pulled the safe out of an Oakland jewelry store but couldn’t quite get it into their van.

Grizzly Mining rough emeralds
SourcingMar 21, 2024
Grizzly Sells 4,145-Carat Emerald for Over $1M

The miner’s March auction generated $19 million.

Helen McCluskey
MajorsMar 21, 2024
Signet Jewelers Names New Board Chair

Helen McCluskey will succeed H. Todd Stitzer when he meets his 12-year term limit in June.

Julia Roberts wearing a Chopard necklace
CollectionsMar 20, 2024
Julia Roberts Co-Designs New Chopard Jewelry Collection

“Chopard x Julia Roberts” showcases the first gems cut from the 6,000-carat-plus “Insofu Emerald."

Tanzanite white gold ring Jared
FinancialsMar 20, 2024
Signet’s Q4 Same-Store Sales Sink 10%

The jewelry giant also posted a double-digit drop in same-store sales for the full year.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy