Columbia Gem House will present for the first time a new collection of celestial-themed jewellery. As shown in the photo, during the Tucson Gem Show in February.
The demand for paint has reached new heights in the last two years. Thus other uniqueness has emerged as a key factor in the competitiveness of coloured gemstones.
Features such as unique cuts or interesting colour presentation, as well as rare pieces, are attractive to consumers. And consequently, for the retailers who sell them.
According to suppliers, this trend is expected to continue at this year's Tucson gem shows.
Though only time will tell how much visitors will buy. Some exhibitors spoke to National Jeweler about their expectations for this year's events. Including the AGTA GemFair Tucson trade show, scheduled for Feb. 2-6.
Kimberly Collins of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems predicts that shopper behavior at the show will likely mirror what retailers observed during the holiday season.
«I have heard that there was less traffic, but items of greater value were being sold. Which tells me that buyers will be looking for larger, more unique pieces and collectibles,» he said.
Collin said the larger gems are increasingly difficult to find. And those that are available are «exorbitantly» priced.
Sapphires remain the most sought-after gems for her. And the ombré pieces with a rainbow of sapphires are her best sellers.
«All longs are chic right now.» - Kimberly Collins, Kimberly Collins Gems
He also noted an increase in orders for jewellery for brides. And as such, he has focused on acquiring beautiful stones between 1 and 3 carats that have both durability and sparkle.
«The shift to daily bridal orders has changed the way I stock my inventory. I'm always looking for gems that I think would make an amazing engagement ring. Something that would stand out to whoever wore it,» Collins said.
Montana sapphire, garnet, tourmaline and spinel are popular among designers as choices for bridal jewellery colours.
As for the shape, «All oblong is trendy right now. Emerald, oval, marquise and pear cuts, as well as unusual fancy shapes like hexagons, rhombuses and kites,» he said.
So far this year, a more earthy color palette seems to be an emerging trend.
«I see interest in richer greens, blue steel colors, blackberry. Softer shades, but not necessarily pastels; and yellows and oranges have been in high demand lately,» Collins said.
Rachel Hill, owner of Americut Gems Inc. markets Montana sapphires, known for their earthy tones. She said interest in American gemstones is growing.
According to Hill, round and oval sapphires in blue and turquoise remain the most popular. With cushion shapes following close behind.
Supply remains steady, constrained mainly by a continued shortage of large stones, he said.
«My impression is that the demand for large stones increased significantly in 2025. And I expect that to continue in 2026,» he said.
The company also increases production of the «Gems of Faith» designs representing the Christian faith. Reporting a notable increase in sales and growing demand for the specialized stock.
Omi Gems is also seeing notable demand for spinel, garnet - particularly in shades of peach, orange and purple - and sapphire.
The company will present a variety at its booth, with a focus on sapphires in shades of blue centaur, lavender, violet, deep purple. And colour changing, as well as diamond garnets from Madagascar in a range of colours.
Omi Gems also offers spins in cobalt, pastel and other colours. As well as Mahenge spinels in bright red, orange and pink.
«Increased demand for rare collection stones is increasing the difficulty of sourcing,» said Omi Gems owner Niveet Nagpal.
«Alexandrite and fine Paraíba tourmaline, as well as high-quality rubies and sapphires are harder to come by.».
Brian Cook, CEO of Nature's Geometry, which specialises in stones from Brazil, confirms what many in the colourful gemstone industry already know: the Paraíba tourmaline is «rare and always in high demand».
He believes it will be one of the best sellers at the Tucson gem shows in 2026. Along with the pedestal stone, a rare beryl in a raspberry color.
A new pedestrian deposit was discovered in Madagascar in 2025.
«The trend of building trust through ethics, traceability and social investment is also popular in Tucson.» - Brian Cook, Nature's Geometry
Cook also expects the large garnets, spessartine, chavorit and spinel of all colours to perform well.
Gold rutilated quartz - one of his company's main products - is becoming increasingly difficult to mine and source. With prices and demand for high quality materials increasing.
On the positive side, the supply of Brazilian tourmaline from the Cruzeiro mine. A mine with a focus on responsible sourcing in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is solid, according to Cook.
«The trend to build trust through ethics, traceability and social investment, causes that add value and relevance to the jewellery industry. It's also what's popular in Tucson,» he said.
The Tucson 2026 report marks almost a year of negotiations on US import tariffs (customs duties). Including intense pressure from industry organizations such as Jewelers of America and the American Gem Trade Association.
The tariffs, which have disrupted global supply chains, are particularly onerous for Brazil, Cook said.
Unassembled and rough stones imported from the country are subject to 50% duty. Previously, Brazil enjoyed most favoured nation status, with imports from the country being taxed at 0-2%.
However, Omi Gems remains optimistic ahead of the reports.
«With all the uncertainty in the world, Tucson is the place where you can find everything you need in one place. So it will remain a strong market,» the company said.
«It will be different from previous years, but it will still be a strong market in the higher category. Unique and rare materials are always in demand and this is our area of expertise.»
Omi Gems' forecast reflects another trend that is evident in the retail market. Unconcerned about the rising cost of living, high-income consumers continue to spend. While many in the middle class are feeling financially squeezed.
«Like many, I look for stones that offer a striking presence. They have an unusual, unique hue that makes them less conventional, but extremely special.» - Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera
Although some buyers are keeping their distance, one private jeweler told National Jeweler that he won't be going to Tucson this year. Because the prices of newly introduced gemstones are too high. And there aren't enough good quality gemstones before the tariffs were imposed. Other designers wasted no time and made their shopping list.
Nicole Mera's Nikki Swift usually prefers to wait until she gets to the show to see what will catch her eye, but she has an idea of what she'd like to buy.
«Right now, I'm looking for unusual cuts, shapes and colours that don't already exist in my existing collections,» he said.
«Like many, I look for stones that offer a striking presence or have an unusual, unique hue that makes them less conventional but extremely special. These are the stones that tend to have added value for me and my clients because they truly feel unique.».
Swift expects to switch to some of her best sellers - spinel, Montana sapphire, white opal - but ultimately, she plans to be more selective this year.
«I try to avoid buying materials that are too similar to what I've already purchased in the past and instead focus on stones that feel fresh, unique and hard to replace when they run out.».
In addition to size and color, a stone must have a distinctive cut for Swift to consider buying it.
«Fine cutting is always at the top of my priority list,» he said.
«This is what sets the standard in my work and I feel it is my responsibility to choose beautifully cut stones that really do good for the finished piece and my clients.».
Source: nationaljeweler.com
