Some 403 member stores—slightly fewer than the number at last year’s spring show in Savannah, Ga.—attended the Independent Jewelers Organization Show, held Feb. 16-20 in Dallas. Several new vendors, including Mayers, joined the buying group, and popular presenters Janice Mack Talcott (Performance Concepts) and Mike Buley (Jewelry Ads That Work) returned to educate jewelers.

IJO has an exclusive agreement with the Diamond Promotion Service regarding its new three-stone diamond jewelry campaign. “Only IJO members can use the DPS’s ‘When Words Are Not Enough’ phrase for ads highlighting this merchandise,” says IJO owner Richard Swetz. Vendors cooperating with IJO and the DPS for this venture include Jose Hess, the Atomic Design Group, I. Gansky & Co., Leddel International, and Philip Wolman & Co.

In the buying room, a variety of fine jewelry was available. Vintage Creations anticipated that its silver “critter” jewelry, including pins, would sell well in light of recent fashion trends, and Leslie’s, a well-known gold jewelry manufacturer, was busy throughout. First-time exhibitor Tony Lapour of Gitani, a maker of titanium jewelry, displayed a number of tension-set diamond wedding bands, and Ralph Brenk, president of Breuning, Norcross, Ga., knew to expect “quality-conscious and conservative” buyers shopping for goods with $500 or lower retail price points.

IJO officials reported a 15% overall increase in show sales.