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APRIL 2015
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APRIL 2015
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JEWELRY
SHOWCASE
MAGAZINE.COM
gemstone trends that are revealed set the pace for
what merchants will be promoting everywhere for
the following season.
Tucson 2015
This year, veteran dealers expressed a mixed response
to their inventory’s sales. Holiday business was less
than stellar for many retailers. While the effects of
the economic free fall of a few years back are in the
rear view mirror for retailers, there lingers trepida-
tion about where we are headed given the precarious
global vagaries. Smaller exhibitors selling classic
sapphire, zircon, and topaz in the outlying shows
were happy to undercut their competition who had
laid out big bucks for space in the convention center
and nearby tents.
Those at the epicenter of the major events report
that their buyers knew exactly what budget they
had this year and spent not a penny more. So their
top goods zipped out of their stock in the first two
days of the show. Pearl vendors weren’t about to let
sales slip away. Next to top –tier goods were tables
overflowing with Mardi Gras-colored dyed pearls
inexpensively priced for the impulse buyer.
Odd, Isn’t It?
An interesting trending pattern that’s been gaining
traction for the last couple of seasons dominated at
fashion-forward designers booths. Both acclaimed
haute jewelers and emerging designers alike thrilled
buyers with their exotic stones featured prominently
in their wares.There are a few reasons for such a
daring move.These oddities, known collectively as
exotic gems—are under-exploited stones that often
provide greater margins for designers.That frees up
the manufacturer or artisan to concentrate on other-
enticing aspects of the design process. More precious
metal might be used in a piece for greater heft and
appeal. Traditionally coveted accent stones are a
great accompaniment to exotic gemstones. If dia-
monds or emeralds are placed on a piece featuring
an unusual central stone, the customer immediately
understands that this item merits the value placed
on it. And importantly, there’s the story. Custom-
ers love a great story. Retailers need a great story
to begin the conversation with customers and hold
them spellbound until they have to have that piece.
Jewelry is all about the emotional connection. How
better to establish that bond than to enthrall a
Outdoor displays at Tucson had
enormous chunks of petrified
wood styled into decorative and
functional objects.
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