Dana J. Lorberg brings 35 years of experience in finance, technology, and strategy to the role.
6 Trends and Observations from the 2020 Tucson Gem Shows
Gauging buying at the shows, the stones and shapes we heard about nonstop, and other considerations from the desert.
The sheer amount of material and members of the trade gathered together in one small city is incomparable, as is the desert in the middle of the wintertime.
This year, a decent holiday season seemed to roll into a great start to the year for many; the 2020 shows had plenty of activity and discussion.
Here are six things I noticed while walking the show floors and tents, attending education seminars and sessions, and talking with members of the industry.
1. The shows went well, and buying was strong.
Ahead of the shows, I seemed to hear a lot of variations on one phrase—“cautious optimism.”
It’s a phrase we hear a lot at National Jeweler from industry members when we’re trying to gauge the months, or even year, ahead.
And yet even with the positivity ahead of time, the 2020 Tucson shows seemed to do better than expected.
Almost everyone I talked to near the end of the week said this year had been good for them, with a few even noting it had been their best, or one of their best, years ever.
2. In faceted stones, the trends were pretty much what I expected.
The beauty of Tucson is that you can see just about any colored gemstone while you’re out there.
But as I was walking around AGTA and GJX toward the end of the week and talking to exhibitors about what was hot, there were a few stones I kept hearing about again and again: spinel, sapphires and garnets.
This falls in line with what a number of exhibitors predicted ahead of the shows.
In spinel, the story was all about the grays and icy shades. For sapphires, purples and pinks were hot, but the real star of the shows appeared to be Montana sapphires.
Purple and pink garnets were hot too, but the stone overall is really finding its footing and currently holds the title of “trade darling.”
There was also a lot of talk about hexagon cuts, kite shapes and other geometric cuts in stones that offer an updated, modern look to a gem.
3. Freeforms and freeform rose cuts were prevalent.
These unusual shapes didn’t make up a large portion of inventory at the booths, but I saw little selections here and there all over—freeforms, natural shapes, slices and the like.
They’re perfect for the jeweler who’s looking for something unique and different.
Quality cutting has always been desirable, for obvious reasons, when it comes to fine stones.
But the past few years have shown that more attention also is being paid to the faces behind the stones, especially for cutters creating one-of-a-kind designs.
There is an increasing number of cutters whose names we now know and whose work we sometimes even recognize, just as you would a jewelry designer.
More and more, they’re marketing themselves as such. I think the trend has a lot to do with social media; being able to have an Instagram presence, for example, to showcase their work.
On the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 8, I went to the Somewhere in the Rainbow booth at AGTA to meet baby Jenova and take a picture of all the cutters involved in the baby mobile project called Grace, which I think is also a perfect showcase of this evolution in the market.
Nearly all 20 cutters showed up, and what struck me was not only how friendly and happy they all were to be there, but also how the project showcased their importance in the market today.
5. There is a lot of conversation around, and focus on, countries of origin and their development.
This shouldn’t be surprising, given the importance origin plays in the sales of colored stones in the market today.
Yet it felt like there was even more talk about important source regions this year.
Education sessions at AGTA GemFair, for example, included an update on sapphires from Madagascar, as well as a session from GIA on rubies from Mozambique.
I also learned some industry members were organizing a gem exhibition and conference this summer in Zambia, in the same vein as the Kenya Gem and Jewellery Fair. (I’m working on gathering all pertinent details and hope to have a more formal story on the launch soon.)
There also were numerous conversations throughout the week about expanding programs to travel to the source and discussing developments in source countries affecting the market.
I’m happy to see the emphasis in this area.
Ethical sourcing and sustainability are among the industry’s most important topics these days, and I don’t think that conversation can fully happen without members of the trade ensuring they understand how these markets are developing and how those playing a vital role abroad are faring.
6. The time is right for colored stones.
The past few years have paved the way for colored stones to continue to emerge as a solid option for jewelers. They offer margin, they offer something different, and they provide a story.
Combined with the strong buying activity and enthusiasm I saw for the sector in Tucson this year, I’d say there’s nothing but upside for colored gems.
I look forward to watching the market develop.
The Latest
The suspects are said to have been involved in the armed robberies of four jewelry stores across three Midwest states.
The new designs blend Creative Director Reed Krakoff’s aesthetic with the brand’s Balinese roots.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
The Dallas-based jeweler will showcase timepieces from Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Parmigiani Fleurier, and more.
The artwork, titled “Pristine,” was raffled off at the Canadian Jewellers Association’s recent summit.
The new store features a custom design studio and a bridal salon.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
Designer Rosanne Karmes has created a collection to coincide with the release of the movie musical, which is expected to be a blockbuster.
The retailer said it will file the necessary paperwork to regain compliance as soon as it is able.
Whether you’re calming the jittery gentleman in seat 13B or selling a diamond ring to a hesitant customer, an empathetic approach is best.
The gala includes a red carpet, music from DJ Renata, an awards program, and “mystery boxes.”
The trade show, in its third year, will take place in late September at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
The jeweler shared her change of heart on lab-grown diamonds and why she keeps them separate from natural diamonds in her business ventures.
The 2025 Gem Awards are scheduled to take place March 14 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
Grosz had served as Assael’s senior vice president and creative director since 2017.
“Love and Celebration” is the jeweler’s first in-house collection featuring engagement rings, wedding bands, and celebration rings.
A more positive view of the labor market contributed to the strongest monthly gain since March 2021.
The funds will be distributed to schools in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Jennifer Mulvihill, the first woman to lead JSA in the organization’s 141-year history, takes over for the retiring John Kennedy.
This year’s festivities include more than 100 experiences, such as designer showcases, panel discussions, and even a treasure hunt.
The GMT-Master “Pepsi” that belonged to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is one of two Apollo-flown Rolex watches ever sold at auction.
The ads star brand ambassadors Chloe and Halle Bailey and Pamela Anderson.
The company combined two sights in Q3 due to the slowdown in demand, and said it is moving up the dates for sights 9 and 10 in Q4.
Participants can buy five votes for $5 to decide which jeweler will dress up as an ‘80s rockstar for Halloween.
These 15 pieces of jewelry hand-picked ahead of Halloween appeal to the costume- and candy-loving child in all of us.
Starboard Luxury is bringing the Italian brand aboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s newest yacht.