In the current issue of JCK, we predicted the colored stones that would be hot at JCK Tucson. And just one day into covering the show, it’s looking like we, and the experts we consulted, were onto something—especially when it comes to fine jewelry featuring spinel, and when we said malachite would be a big mover.

Here are a few important pieces to look for today and tomorrow—and where to find them.

Make sure you’re following our Instagram to see more of our Tucson finds so you don’t miss out.

W. Britt’s Malachite Ring
Booth DC23
A slam dunk, as far as trends: Besides the malachite, you also get a hexagonal shape. And the overall design is bold, sculptural, and looks way more expensive than it is (thanks to the metal being a proprietary gold-silver alloy).

Suzy Landa’s Electric Blue Apatite
Booth 320
Like regular apatite, which is a pretty sort of Paraiba-esque green, this variety also comes from Brazil. But the colorway’s hard to come by. And hard to describe—it’s like a vibrant, almost neon, peacock blue—but you’re better off just stopping by Landa’s booth to see it in person.

Aaron Henry’s Lavender Spinel Earrings
Booth 318
It goes without saying that designer Aaron Furlong is a master goldsmith—his new gold link necklaces are absolutely gorgeous and come in a gazillion lengths with the prettiest diamond-accented clasps. But he also does quite a bit of incredible work with very, very fine gemstones—including lots and lots of spinel. And there’s also a forthcoming collection featuring malaya garnets in a palette of tawny, peachy, barely-there pinks.

The Rock Hound’s Spinel Ring
Booth 201
More spinel! A mauve-lilac one offset by gleamy hot-pink nanoceramic (it looks a little like enamel but it’s not). This unique ring is one of many pieces helping to make this British designer’s first U.S. trade show a memorable one. Get acquainted with founder Susi Smither now because her booth’s going to be crowded at the next one.

K.Mita’s Amethyst & Pink Sapphire Pendant
Booth DC13
When the weather’s a sun-drenched 80 degrees, it’s hard to remember that hello, it’s February. Amethyst time! What makes this design so interesting, though, is that its centerpiece isn’t plain-old amethyst, but an 11.12 ct. amethyst cacoxenite quartz, also known as the “Super Seven Stone”—technically, a combination of seven different mineral specimens, including amethyst, quartz, rutile, and more—which offers those who wear it a number of positive, ultrahealing energies.

Top image: Dana Bronfman’s malachite pendant, the first piece she’s ever made using the stone. It’s accented with an emerald up there on top, and the undercarriage is beautifully finished with her trademark Oculus motif. See this, and the designer’s other distinctive pieces, at Booth DC19.

Amy Elliott

JCK Contributing Editor