The wave of shopkeepers who flocked to the JCK exhibition had high expectations. They wanted fresh designs, clever takes on classic pieces and a reason to shop. They got all of that and more when the doors opened for Luxury and JCK. This put visitors in a great buying mood. Not just for their customers but for the industry as a whole.
The whole thing felt like a reunion and seeing memorable pieces that felt like the essentials for 2022 was a treat. For Esther Fortunoff, it was delightful “to see gorgeous new fashion styles at Sylvie”. Like the diamond chokers that everyone will want to wear and show off on social media.
John Robichau of Robichau's Jewelry came to the show after a brief hiatus, hoping to find great options for his Texas stores. He found everything he wanted with geometric shapes, modern hearts and freshwater pearls.
He then said that his interest turned to surprises. Like the paperclip necklaces at Allison Kaufman, where the paperclips were mixed with diamonds. Also the Cuban links at Gabriel & Co. and Simon G.
Richard Rooney of Bogart's Jewelers in Canada said he came to see the latest lab-grown diamonds that his customers have bought in round and oval shapes.
“I wanted to see the range of products available because there are a lot more people selling right now and the demand is high,” Rooney said, especially among Generation Z.
Men's 20-inch 14-karat gold rosary chain, $3,050; men's 14-karat yellow gold Dog Tag pendant with 3.49-carat black diamonds, $4,050; Gabriel & Co.
Retailers were eager to see what innovations there were in key categories. Like the men's pearl jewellery in Marco Dal Maso's latest collection. Even the vibrant colours in Annamaria Cammilli's wavy Dune rings. Also the gorgeous orange diamonds in Ruben Manuel's collection as part of the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative with the Natural Diamond Council.
The brighter colours, the convertible jewellery and the textured pieces. Those that fit the wearer beautifully and are exciting to design. As Manuel explained, these pieces also breathe new life into an industry that is eager to start up again.
“People are ready for it now,” he said.
Laura Damiani Costa of Damiani's Damiani Jewellers in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada. Her family came to the show to catch up on the trends she sees in the store. Also about the trends she hears from customers. Some of the items they were looking for included pendant earrings and new shapes in tennis bracelets. Also summer colors in gemstone jewelry and pearls, pearls and other pearls.
“Pearls have always been a classic to have in your wardrobe. But now many brands are taking a fashionable turn. So they are making them more appealing to younger customers,” Costa said.
On engagement ring trends, Costa said that couples' preference for radial-cut diamonds is on the rise. There is also huge interest in lab-grown diamonds for all ages. Even yellow gold rings, for people who want to combine tradition with something that feels new again.
“Yellow gold remains a staple for many accessories. So it's no surprise that we've seen an increase in yellow gold engagement rings in 2022,” he said.
14 karat yellow gold Michaela ring with a 1 carat round solitaire and a hidden 0.18 carat diamond halo, $5,000, Anye Designs.
Old exhibitor Luxury Gabriel & Co. tapped into the 1980s. Imagine pendants and signet rings as well as tennis bracelets, in new men's fashion and engagement designs.
“We're going back in time, but in a fresh way,” said fashion sales and business development director Nikki Siegel. She said customers are buying chains with Cuban hoops, big, bold pendants and ring jackets, which have been a huge success for Gabriel & Co. at TikTok.
«They think they're new,» Siegel said of the rings, marquise shapes and herringbone patterns that customers love so much.
So if Kate Bush is back on the music charts and your mom's jewelry is cool again.
