Aside from having the opportunity to try on amazing jewelry—and come away with photographic evidence to ogle until the end of time—I love seeking out common themes during my time at JCK Las Vegas. Call them trends, but these aren’t always necessarily dictated by the runway or spurred by something a popular celebrity wore. You can glean what’s in high demand by looking to those fashion shows or by clicking through Instagram. But I like to be surprised, and that’s usually what happens at the show. So, while I make these predictions based on jewelry photos I’ve been fortunate to peep, thanks to the exhibitors that will be on location, I’m eager to see what will go above and beyond and hope for something totally unexpected. Only a few more weeks to go!
Animal jewelry. This one actually is unexpected, if not surprising, to me. Animal jewelry has been a thing for ages, but what causes it to ebb and flow in its volume is unknown to me. I’ve been seeing a fair share of wild creations coming in from brands and designers, from birds to undersea creatures. Show goal: to see at least one bejeweled giraffe. If you have one, please let me know.
Mini pearls. I’ve written about this one already, and it will serve as no big shock, but I find it exciting nonetheless. I love the way a hoop earring looks hugging a row of teeny pearls, and I’ll be taking note of the variations seen at JCK. Show goal: to see an epic necklace composed of hundreds of small pearls or better yet (and perhaps this one is too much to ask?) a crown or tiara.
Orange. If I have to select a color to come up from behind as the one to steal the show, I’m gonna go with orange. I’ve been seeing a fair amount of styles with stones such as citrine, orange sapphire, and diamond, and also carnelian and enamel, too. That shouldn’t be too astounding: Living Coral is Pantone’s Color of the Year, after all, and it’s not too far off from being a shade of orange itself. Show goal: to try on a ring set with a pumpkin-size orange gem (it’s never too early to start dreaming of autumn).
Blackened metals. This is not new, but what is sort of different is the fact that super-upscale fine jewelers seem to be embracing more of the blackened or oxidized-looming styles, and I dig it. Its use can bring an assortment of looks—edginess, an artisan touch, or an antique vibe. Show goal: to see a black rhodium piece completely dripping in rose-cut diamonds. What a drama queen that would be.
Cabochon stones. I’ve been told (more than once) that most stones in cabochon form are that way because they wouldn’t have looked as nice faceted—my mind translates that to mean they didn’t quite make the cut for the big show. I’m not sure whether that’s true (perhaps it’s a case-by-case basis), but I do know that I love some good cabochon jewelry—and I’ve seen quite a bit of that. I fully expect to see much more in Vegas. Show goal: to see the shape of a rainbow made from rows of colorful cabochons. Wouldn’t that be an amazing ring or necklace?
What do you expect (or want!) to see at the show?
Top: Flower earrings with 24.57 cts. t.w. moonstone, 8.97 cts. t.w. blue sapphires, and 1.75 cts. t.w. diamonds, $21,000; Andreoli
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