If you’re like most jewelers, a year simply isn’t a year without a trip to JCK Las Vegas. That’s a testament to the show’s unrivaled position on the jewelry calendar, as well as a ­reflection of the ritualistic way most attendees approach the event.We asked 10 veterans to recall their first and best memories of JCK Las Vegas. They remarked on the scorching heat of the Nevada desert, the massiveness of the show, the decadent meals, the late-night gambling, and, almost always, the blisters—for if one thing unites our respondents, it is their collective history of bad decision-making with regard to footwear. (Hey, we’ve all made that mistake.)Their stories reminded us that nothing beats the value of gathering with your peers, colleagues, friends, and competitors as you embark on presumably the single most important shopping trip of the year.On that note, a few gentle reminders: