If not “trends” in the sense of an item's popularity among consumers, then they were the commonalities they identified on the show floor. The two are not always mutually contradictory.
One could say that easy-to-wear jewelry is a trend. Because they speak to the current mood of consumers to get the best for their money. Also to shop consciously just as the state of the economy is changing. So that is how the attitude towards spending is changing.
In terms of gems, a JCK visitor may have noticed one or two particular gems that seemed to make the most appearances.
But could this really be described as a “trend”, at least in the fashion world's sense? I hardly think so, given that any gemstone can transcend both time and style.
However, gemstone trends do exist. Last year in Las Vegas, we saw the rising trends of Montana's sapphire and Sleeping Beauty's turquoise. But we don't see it in real demand today. This year, I'm not sure I can pinpoint such success.
In fact, the 2023 gemstone to choose is a fairly obvious, but no less exciting one: tourmaline.
Tourmaline was everywhere in the exhibition. It seems to have displaced the phosphorescent gemstone opal - which had dominated in previous years - to take the lead.
Like opals, no two tourmalines are alike. This fresh gem? Tourmaline. How about salmon pink masquerading as morganite? Yes, tourmaline. Two-tone (and even three-tone) stones also lit up the displays along the aisles, with the presence of watermelon tourmaline quenching the thirst for such varieties.
I confess that I was hoping to be amazed by something completely outside the realm of my current knowledge. Last year's Montana sapphire jewelry line was so memorable, I'm still crazy about it. But even though the industry has certainly come to know tourmaline, the gemstone can still surprise and impress with its crazy range. While blue and green were predictably extremely large, it was a collection of pinks, ranging from light to almost fluorescent, that took the prize for most striking.
We may already be quite familiar with tourmaline. But if he had anything to prove at this year's show, it's that there's not much the gemstone can't do.
Source: jckonline.com
