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Vegas, Baby! A Wrap-Up of Gorgeous Jewels and Trends at Jewelry Shows
Necklace by Lika Behar, in oxidized silver and 22kt gold with diamonds and a moonstone.
The JCK and Couture jewelry shows were everything and more that I thought they would be. Amazing beauty everywhere: just walking down random aisles I saw the most spectacular sparkle! The best part, though, was seeing and meeting the people behind the jewelry. It’s so amazing to meet the designers and their talented staff who bring the jewelry to life. In a world of avatars, email, and Dropbox, it’s so much more gratifying to really connect with PEOPLE.
Trends from the Jewelry Shows
Trends? Oh yes, I saw definite trends in jewelry. Biggest? Probably a category that I call “Alternative Bridal”. Creative metal colors, uses, and textures, with responsibly-sourced gemstones and diamonds that are not your Mother’s 4-prong-set diamond (think antlers and vertabrae for inspiration). In bridal and other jewelry, diamonds were rose-cut, raw, sliced, and in their natural colors and textures. I saw tassels in necklaces and earrings: I think we’ll be seeing more. There was lots of black: blackened metal in the form of oxidized silver and black rhodium on platinum; black diamonds; and long strands of faceted black diamonds or glittery black spinel. Lots of texture in metals, and layers of surfaces paved in amazing gemstones. Color ruled, with peacock blues and greens everywhere, truly beautiful Opals were in abundance.
I spent the first day at JCK at the Mandalay Bay convention center. JCK is HUGE. I literally never even made it to one whole floor, and spent my time in the Design Center, Luxury, and Prestige Promenade sections. I spent two days at the Couture Jewelry Show, which is mostly independent jewelry designers, some established and some emerging, but all are amazing. I could have stopped at nearly every booth, but there just isn’t time.
Here’s a random sampling of images collected over the three days. I’ll be writing a lot more about many designers in the coming weeks and months, so stay tuned!
Christian Tse gorgeous green chrysoprase earrings, hot off the jeweler's bench, an example of his new designs in color.
A case of colored diamond jewelry at Christian Tse, an amazing array of rarity at its best.
Unbelievable, oversized 44+ mm Christian Tse watches with the most precisely-set pave and baguette colored gems and diamonds. Works of art.
An example of cool new tassel necklaces using gemstones and plated metals from Supreme, under $1000 Retail.
Don't you love how designer Lene Vibes of Vibes Jewelry styled her long strand of Tahitian pearls? She does gorgeous pearls in very edgy but lovely designs.
Totally amazing cuff by Annie Fensterstock in the Fragments Booth.
A sample of interesting druzy and slices of gemstones set into a special plating process at Nina Nguyen's booth at JCK.
A necklace from Barbara Heinrich, featuring amazing raw Aquamarines with refined gold accents.
I am very proud of my Couture Cash, which were colorful signed and numbered works of art on dollar bills scattered by designer Erica Courtney throughout the Couture show. Note how beautiful the Erica Courtney garnet necklace is in the background.
An example of the bold, gorgeous cocktail rings at Pamela Froman.
This unbelievable bracelet of colored diamonds by Todd Reed looked like precious little framed portraits hinged together in a magnificent bracelet.
