CBG Show Attendees Express Concerns About Year Ahead

By Rob Bates | January 21, 2026

Exhibitors and retailers attending this week’s Continental Buying Group (CBG) show in Adventura, Fla., said that, while they considered 2025 a relatively good year, they worry about persistent challenges going into 2026, particularly the high price of gold.

“Most of the retailers we are working with said they had a much slower December than anticipated,” Dhairaya Virani, head of DV Jewelry Corp. in New York City, tells JCK. “People know how to deal with tariffs, so that’s stabilized a bit. If gold stabilizes, it will be a strong start of the year.”

But since gold hasn’t stabilized—and in fact notched a new record ($4,850) during the show’s three days—the trade will have to recalibrate, according to Virani. He believes manufacturers that create lab-grown pieces will start to set them in 10 kt. gold as well as silver (which is also going up).

Prakash Mehta, CEO of Interings, believes that the gold price is why retailers sold fewer items last holiday, but at a higher average ticket.

Mehta adds that if the gold price continues to soar, “2026 will be challenging.”

He notes that “lab-grown is selling. The margins are there but the volume isn’t enough to make up for [lost] natural [diamond sales].”

For Paul Messerlian, owner of Baxters Fine Jewelry, in Warwick, R.I., declining natural diamond sales, particularly in engagement rings, has led him to search for items that will fill that void.

“I’m looking for fashion items,” he says, “particularly in colored stones and colored diamonds.”

Avi Levy, chief growth officer for gem lab GCAL, says that he believes “most people are happy with the season” and he’s heard about “a few more calls for natural diamonds.”

“The lab-grown guys are all looking for something distinctive,” he says. “It’s a maturing market. If I were on the wholesale lab-grown side, I’d be looking for my own niche.”

The gold price is causing “a lot of straight metal to be sold—heavier chains and bracelets,” he adds, “because consumers think gold going up is a value avenue for them.”

Brian Alter, owner of Alter’s Gem Jewelry, Beaumont, Texas, says, “With everything that’s going on in the world, it’s going to be an election and political year, that’s always interesting. I say: Stay focused on what you do best in the first half of the year, so you can explode in the second half.”

CBG president Matt Tratner addressing attendees. (Photo courtesy of Continental Buying Group)

Alter adds that jewelers will have to “adjust” to gold possibly hitting $5,000. As for his store, he describes his lab-grown diamond business last year was “steady,” but notes his natural business rose 20%—the first time that’s happened in years.

Miles Ryan, founder of San Francisco-based Folium Jewels, a participant in the show’s emerging designer section, says he’s found “high-end pieces are selling. It’s harder in the lower price points.”

Another emerging designer, Emily Kuvan, based out of New York City, says she appreciated the opportunity to exhibit at CBG.

“It’s a very friendly collegial show,” she says. “I don’t feel competition amongst the exhibitors. There seems to be a real camaraderie.

“The jury is still out if this group is open to slightly less traditional design,” she says, “but you appreciate them inviting you. It’s a great opportunity to get my work in front of people who may not know about emerging or independent designers.”

The CBG show started Jan. 19 and ended today. It was held at the JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa in Miami. The author was a speaker at the event.

(Top photo credit: Rob Bates)