JCK Tucson brings a selection of fine finished jewels to the loose gem capital of the world

If you’re headed to Arizona this February for the gem shows, make room on your calendar to visit JCK Tucson at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa, Feb. 3–8. The latest addition to the JCK family of shows was announced last year when JCK Events purchased the 30-year-old G.L.D.A. show.

At press time, 120 exhibitors were slated to show their wares, from Sholdt’s spare, modern bridal designs to Alishan’s one-of-a-kind artistry.

“We had heard from ­manufacturers and retailers that there was a void in the Tucson market for finished fine ­jewelry. When the opportunity presented itself, we jumped on it,” says JCK Events group vice president Yancy Weinrich.

The Tucson show will offer JCK’s signature education content, including Diane Warga-Arias’ keynote speech, “Redefining Fine Jewelry.” Her goal, says the speaker/educator, is to “facilitate a discussion about the future of fine jewelry retailing.” She’ll also discuss the new jewelry landscape—e.g., consumers mixing silver with more upmarket metal styles and the wide availability of treated colored diamond ­jewelry. “Crossing boundaries has not always worked in the past,” she says.

Exhibitor Loretta Castoro is excited to meet retailers in the market for lines featuring top-quality gemstones. Since showing at JCK Las Vegas in June, the Beverly Hills, Calif.–based designer has learned a thing or two about what her clients want.

Last year in her booth at the AGTA GemFair, she had so much interest in a ring depicting a pair of lips that she’s decided to bring more variations to this year’s show, as well as new lip earrings and pendants, and a sexier lip shape. “The updated look is a more pouty and luscious lip,” Castoro says. “I’m excited about ­having different colors for my line for the people who understand gemstones and like to find fun ways of showing them off.”