Wrapping Up JCK Las Vegas

From the GIA Newsletter:

Industry Analysis: Business Soft in Vegas, but Designers, Luxury Defy Trend
Business at the May 30-June 3 JCK Show in Las Vegas was soft, especially for sellers of loose diamonds and gemstones. Orders were stronger at the upscale shows that ran simultaneously, though exhibitors reported that many of their orders were provisional. Dealers at each of the shows noted that a number of important clients did not make the trip to Vegas, and some exhibitors, expecting a poor season, even cancelled their participation. As a result, traffic was down but buying did go on, albeit at a reduced level. In general, demand for finished jewelry was down 10% to 15% from last year, even more for commercial-quality loose diamonds and colored gemstones. Companies specializing in the very top end -- colorless diamonds over 5 ct, fancy-color diamonds and unheated corundum -- generally saw brisk business.

For more... http://snipurl.com/2eiq8 [app_e2ma_net]


...and from the Gemwise Blog by Richard Wise:

Welcome to Las Vegas, the only town that I know of where a jewelry show with 3,000 exhibitors can be hidden behind a bank of slot machines. Unlike Tucson where the sprawling gem shows take over half the town, the flagship JCK Show set up at the Venetian Hotel boasts 3100 exhibitors’ and 20,000 buyers and is virtually invisible in the glitz.

The jewelry industry gathers in Las Vegas the last week in May. AGTA, JCK, Luxury, Couture, the show list grows ever longer with each passing year. My wife and attended five shows in as many days and left out much of interest.

Ok so let’s get down to business, what is new in the gemworld.

For More... http://snipurl.com/2eiqd [gemwiseblogspotcom_blogspot_com]

For more from the JCK Show...

Blogging JCK Series
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=21800
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=21801
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=21814

JCK Vegas Daily News
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=21798
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=21802
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=21813

Shanu Singh Guliani's "Behind The Counter" Blog
http://www.jckonline.com/blog/1970000197.html

Bacilio Mendez is "Micro-Blogging My First Vegas" in his Style 360 Blog and on Twitter http://www.jckonline.com/blog/1940000194/post/1230027123.html

The jewelry industry’s future will depend in part on how much it “gives,” hip-hop mogul and philanthropist Russell Simmons told the audience at his keynote speech Friday morning. http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6565856.html

The annual Saul Bell Design Awards were presented Saturday at an invitation-only gala and dinner at Postrio in the Venetian. http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6565855.html

Today’s customer is changing, and what makes them loyal also is changing, said David Peters, Jewelers of America’s director of education, in a presentation on “Customer Loyalty” Thursday. http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6565853.html

What is “experience marketing”? At a Thursday morning seminar, Holly Wesche Conn, of Wesche Jewelers in Melbourne, Fla., said it is “to consciously work to create a specific type of experience for the customers in your store.” Quoting marketing guru and best-selling author Jack Trout, Wesche Conn cautioned her audience, “Differentiate or die.” http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6565850.html