While the rest of the world knows June as a month of graduation ceremonies and weddings, members of the jewelry trade know better. If it’s the sixth month of the year, we must be in Las Vegas.
To help you navigate the madness of Mandalay Bay, don’t miss “Our A-to-Z Guide to JCK Las Vegas 2018.” Written by managing editor Melissa Rose Bernardo—a pun-master if ever there was one—the A-to-Z guide hits all the highlights of the 2018 edition, the last one to take place on this end of the Strip before the show returns to the Sands Expo and Convention Center in 2019.
As usual, we’re celebrating the occasion with copious amounts of diamonds. “Ice Queen,” our annual ode to the colorless rocks that power our industry—featuring jewels sourced from JCK and LUXURY exhibitors—is a good place to begin. But our obsession with the business of bling doesn’t end there.
In “Blockchain Reaction,” news director Rob Bates delves into blockchain technology to decipher what the newfangled tracking protocol means for the diamond trade, while senior editor Emili Vesilind explores diamond jewelry marketing in the age of #MeToo in “Women in Love (With Diamonds).”
We’re equally besotted with period jewels, not only for their one-of-a-kind good looks, but also for their profit-making potential. If you’ve ever wondered how to take advantage of the latter, “Estate Jewelry Secrets” by JCK’s Amy Elliott is a primer on how to get started in the estate jewelry business, complemented by some of the prettiest images we’ve ever featured (courtesy of photographer Kenji Toma).
Despite the issue’s emphasis on unforgettable imagery, we’ve reserved plenty of space for serious topics. “Cybercrime: Is Your Store at Risk?” by contributor Stephanie Vozza is essential reading if you want to make sure your business doesn’t fall victim to cyberscammers (mahalo to Brian Kei of Native Hands Jewelry Hawaii for loaning us the gold fishhook pendant that illustrates the piece!).
Next we have a doubleheader: “New in Town” by longtime jewelry journalist Whitney Sielaff explains why now may be the perfect time to open a second or third location, and “Final Sale” by Amanda Baltazar details what retailers must consider before closing their stores for good.
Timing is, of course, everything—especially in “The Amazing Face,” my recap of the season’s most relevant watch trends (think sensible, straightforward styles).
We close out this jam-packed June issue with “There’s No Cure Like Travel” by contributor Kristin Young, a compendium of travel tips from 15 of our favorite jewelers, just in time for summer vacation. Whether you’re attending JCK Las Vegas in real life or living it up vicariously through our Instagram feed (@jckmagazine), you definitely deserve one.
Top: Sterling silver 20 mm three-letter script monogram charm bracelet; $405; Stuller;
800-877-7777; stuller.com
(Bracelet: photograph by Liam Goodman; prop stylist: Elizabeth Press/Judy Casey; portrait: photograph by Nicholas A. Prakas; hair and makeup: Claudia Andreatta/Halley Resources)