JCK Las Vegas: New Jewelry Designs

Paul Holewa, Senior Editor -- JCK Online, 5/31/2009 2:50:00 PM

Complete JCK Las Vegas Show Coverage Here!

“Trying something new” seems to be a common theme at this year’s JCK Show. Retailers not only want to do things differently in managing their store, they’re also looking for new and exciting merchandise at more comfortable price points that will give store owners and their staff reasons to call customers with news of new arrivals.

With many designers doing more in sterling silver to produce less expensive lines, Mark Schneider is being contrarian by launching a new platinum line. Some new pieces from his latest platinum collection include Tahitian and South Seas golden pearl rings. The unique feature of these rings is 0.25 ct. diamond-cut pink sapphires set in seemingly seamless channel settings down each side of the ring. Schneider has something for gents with a new line of platinum men’s rings set with natural color chocolate diamonds.

Mark Schneider at his booth in the Design Center

Mark Schneider launched a new platinum men’s line set with natural chocolate diamonds.

Everything Jorge and Silvia Revilla brought to The JCK Show is new because they’re new. The Spain-based designers have been represented in the U.S. market for six months, by Amy Pollack of Pollack Design Group. Pollack characterized the designers’ new silver collection as “organic and modern designs that have finish work similar to high end gold jewelry.”

With retail prices ranging from $100 for a pair of sterling silver earrings to higher-end pieces topping out $1,500 to $2,000, retailers are having success with Revilla’s new line. “The sweet spot for the collection are the pieces that retail from $200 to $600,” says Pollack. Customers in some U.S. markets are responding well to the designs and price points. “In the week before the Vegas Show, three jewelers called to say that customers were buying pieces before the items could be tagged and placed in display cases.”

Jorge and Silvia Revilla are pictured with their U.S. rep, Amy Pollack.

Jorge Revilla silver jewelry has friendly price points and a high-end finish.

Tara and Marc Hollmuller brought some innovative new designs to The JCK Show. The Switzerland-based designers put an interesting spin on the time-honored cameo in designs for men. Pendants feature a cameo zodiac wheel set in stainless steel that has a red indicator arrow pointing downward at the top of the design. Small screws can be loosened to turn the wheel and place the arrow above the wearer’s zodiac sign, personalizing the piece.

The couple also brought their new black carbon rings. “For me, when wearing these rings, the carbon has a smooth, almost silky sensual feel to it that’s very comfortable,” says Tara. Alternative materials such as ebony wood rings were part of the product theme at the Hollmuller booth. Both the black carbon and ebony rings are set with colored stones of exceptional quality.

Tara and Marc Hollmuller are a design duo from Switzerland.

Cameo jewelry for men is a totally out-of-the-box approach to men’s jewelry.

Jewelry designer Kristen Boedecker, the designer behind Kir, launched her Mother of Pearl collection. The mainly sterling silver pieces are handcrafted in Bali, Indonesia and feature hand-carved mother-of-pearl and onyx ancient symbols from the region, including Buddha images, Indian deities, and dragons in “fluid and organic designs,” says Boedecker.

Kir’s new Mother of Pearl collection has a big look without the big price, as observed on this model.

Jewelry designer Kristen Boedecker, the creative force behind Kir.

In the Rising Star section, motif-mad Sarah Jane, of Saint by Sarah Jane, has taken on a new critter—the dragonfly. Known for her frogs, angels, turtles, and other playful motifs, Sarah Jane says the dragonfly “represents enlightenment.” She also launched Galapagos, a new collection featuring Arizona turquoise.

Rising Star Sarah Jane at her booth.

A Dragonfly collection ring set with a large citrine.

Marjorie Troob and Tanya Tochner, of Jolie b Ray Designs, have many new offerings, but see a promising future with their Crystal Ball collection. The Peace Necklace is a trendy, hip new design from the collection that is getting a lot of attention at their booth in the Design Center. Nature-inspired designs like the Flower of Life collection are being shown to many buyers.

Marjorie Troob and Tanya Tochner of Jolie b Ray Designs at their booth in JCK’s Design Center.