With the holiday shopping season in full swing, jewelry retailers reflect on trends they followed and products they purchased while visiting JCK Las Vegas. High end independent retailers including Birks & Mayors, R.F. Moeller, and Day’s Jewelers along with leading national retailers like JC Penney attend JCK Las Vegas, the most comprehensive jewelry event in North America.  

“We understand that one of the top reasons retailers attend JCK Las Vegas is to identify trends and find new lines that will lead to strong sales for the holiday season,” said Dave Bonaparte, group vice president for JCK Events. “We are thrilled to hear that many of the leading independent and chain store retailers are finding success with specific purchases they made at JCK Las Vegas.” Here’s what some of the retailers had to say:

“In the luxury jewelry industry, it is essential to stay ahead of the trends and anticipate the needs of the market,” said Aida Alvarez, Sr. V.P. merchandising for Birks & Mayors, Sunrise, Fla., “Birks & Mayors’ presence at JCK has allowed our buyers to discover the ‘it products’ for this holiday season. We are seeing great success with jewelry sourced from JCK, such as romantic pieces with lace details and open work as well as large, heavy pieces for men. Circles are also very popular this season with a variety of metals and continuous loops within hoops.”

Birks & Mayors recently launched two important new collections – BIRKS DESTINEE and BIRKS CITIQUE—designed as the latest signature look of Birks. “While the look of these collections is timeless, they also reflect the trends of the season. What we saw at JCK validates the work of our own in house designers who masterfully created these new collections,” Alvarez added.

“Every year we begin our quest to provide our clients with something special for the Christmas Season at the JCK Show in June. This year our decision was to significantly increase our selection of unusual and unique pieces in gold and silver. We have already re-ordered a significant portion of the inventory we purchased at the Show. We expect demand for these items to be very strong this Holiday Season,” said Mark Moeller of R.F. Moeller, St. Paul, Minn.

Beryl Raff, executive vice president of Fine Jewelry at JCPenney, said, “From oversized gold hoops and black diamonds to a fashion pearl line by Honora cultured pearls, we’ve included an array of Fine Jewelry products highlighted at JCK Las Vegas into our gift selection this season. Our fine jewelry sales are off to a great start this season, once again proving that JCK Las Vegas continues to be a great source of inspiration and an event well worth attending this year.”

Kathy Corey, VP of merchandising, Day’s Jewelers, Waterville, Maine, weighed in on trends that were hot during JCK and how they are doing in her stores. “We focused on Diamonds, Colored Gem Stones, Gold, Silver and Watches at JCK. Many of the product lines we are now carrying as a result are creating interest with our customers and resulting in sales.” Corey said. “With the incredible success we had last year with the Diamond Journey Pendants, we are now offering other pieces to add to the Journey ensemble, which is an easy sell. Regarding Colored Gemstones our customers are excited about Red Jasper pieces we brought to our stores. We’re also seeing great enthusiasm with the affordable cultured pearl jewelry (such as with Honora).”

Corey also said, “Gold and Silver circles, hammered finishes and long chains (40+ inches) are moving out the door. We’ve also reintroduced Etruscan looks and customers are responding to these fashions.” With watches, Corey comments, “Diamonds on the dial or diamonds on the bezel are popular. Larger oversized watches for women and chronographs for men seem to be what’s hot this holiday season.”

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