If you’re gearing up for Jewelry Week in Las Vegas, then you too may have spent the holiday weekend finalizing your plans and packing. The annual event has once again come around, and I’m already mentally on the show floor.
While I finish checking my lists here at home before jetting off to Las Vegas, here are five things that have me hotly anticipating my arrival in Sin City this year.
Seeing the Latest Designs
Okay, Captain Obvious could have written this first item, but that doesn’t make it untrue. Taking in the latest pieces is one of the great pleasures of Las Vegas Jewelry Week, because many of the new jewels can paint a picture of our current time period. Last year was all about big, bold, and colorful—a celebratory salute to coming out of a pandemic and rejoicing in life (with whimsical, upscale pieces like bejeweled fairies and oversize animals to boot). Will this year see more of the same, or are other elements prominently poised to influence 2023’s offerings?
Trend Hunting
While the newest collections tend to go hand-in-hand with in-vogue styles, I’m not just eager to seek out the latest in-demand pieces (though that’s a thoroughly enjoyable experience). I’m also looking for trends that are less predicted than the inevitable rows of curateable pendants, charms, and earrings, in addition to what I suspect will be an increase in sterling silver offerings. The show floor in 2022 had several places to ogle Montana sapphires and sleeping beauty turquoise—two of the show’s biggest gemstone trends. What will be the gem of 2023? Something green, perhaps, or Barbie-esque pink? I can’t wait to find out.
Expanding Our Knowledge
No matter how well read, studied, or experienced one is in our industry, there’s always an opportunity to learn something new. I feel like I come out of every JCK Talks panel armed with more information that will help me as an editor to ask better questions, seek more in-demand product, and get further acquainted with current retailer issues. One of my favorite educational sessions last year was on consumer fashion, and I highly anticipate attending this Friday’s panel, moderated by JCK‘s own Amy Elliott. Be prepared to learn about current and future demands in fashion and how they align with our industry from the points of view of those who have a handle on them—influencer Beth Jones of B. Jones Style, eco-conscious stylist and content creator Cassandra Dittmer, and Nicholas Hyatt of the Ping Pong Ring website. I’ll be covering the panel for Saturday’s Show Daily report, so look for that to come as well.
Big, Big Diamonds
Look, everyone loves an Instagram moment, and photos of me wearing big honking diamond jewels while I pretend to be Beyoncé are the only things I have to rival cute pictures of my kids. And because I don’t have the real-life budget of Beyoncé, events like the JCK show offer the awesome opportunity to briefly play dress up with million-dollar jewels from designers all over the world. Where else can you do that?! With freshly painted nails and carefully planned necklines, I plan on taking enough diamond pictures to hold me over until 2024.
Getting Dressed!
Speaking of necklines: Though many attendees won’t find it novel to put on grown-up clothes and socialize with other adults, I spend my days with two young children, usually in attire that has been stained in something I fear will never be removed. So in addition to dousing myself in spectacular diamonds, I am very much looking forward to simply a little bit of looking good and feeling good. And since 2023 is the year we’re all wearing sneakers to the shows (hallelujah!), I know exactly what I’ll have on my feet.
Top: Earrings in platinum with 5.46 cts. t.w. Asscher-cut purple garnet, 0.85 ct. t.w. Asscher-cut spinel, and 0.71 ct. t.w. diamonds, $18,000; Omi Privé
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