(IDEX Online News) – Some 36,000 people descended on Las Vegas to attend the US jewelry trade shows in the hot desert city. If the shows could be summed up in one sentence, it is that the US is showing clear signs of improving demand, especially for high-end goods, on the back of rising consumer demand.

 

Demand for loose polished diamonds was solid, and trading was much better than last year, according to practically all wholesalers. Buyers focused on traditional American goods - round shape diamonds in HIJ colors and VS-SI clarities in 0.50-2 carat sizes. These goods serve mainly as center stones to be set in items that may already contain smaller diamonds pre-set by the jewelry manufacturer.

 

Traders reported additional business for larger goods up to 7-carats, although demand for these goods was at a much lower volume. Exhibitors with fancy color diamonds also reported good demand, especially for yellows, which are showing rising demand in the American market.

 

Although much haggling went on as usual, sellers were firm on prices. On the first day of the show many buyers walked and asked to see goods, but stepped away over prices. During the last two days of the JCK show, buyers returned to the diamond section of the trade fair to close deals, and realized that if they wanted to buy, they had to accept the prices being asked.

 

Jewelry makers and wholesalers were especially pleased with the outcome of the show. Demand for finished items was high, with buyers looking to add new designs to their offerings. It seems that retailers are finally internalizing that product differentiation is essential to reach their clients and in order to engage with them.

 

As a result, those offering true and tested items with a twist, or had good customization options, were favored by retailers to a much higher degree than before. In this respect, a new offering from Stuller was especially interesting.

 

The company is piloting a turnkey system that includes a computerized design system with a large screen and demos of a few dozen designs and a large selection of stones. A jeweler and customer can customize any one of the many ring and pendant designs, changing the stone type and size, metals and much more, resulting in more than 100 different designs. Once the client decides on the final design, the CAD file is sent to Stuller, which casts the item overnight, sets and polishes it on the following day, and sends it to the retailer.

 

If the average US consumer is increasing jewelry and watch purchases, then the high-end consumer, typically more resilient and less susceptible to economic down swings, is also in good shape. Therefore, business for higher-end goods was especially brisk.

 

Watch wholesalers, which always have a smaller emphasis - and section - of the JCK show, were less busy than the jewelry or stone exhibitors, yet they, too, reported good business. Higher-end familiar brands seemed to be busier and may have had better results than other watch exhibitors.

 

Exhibitors at the Couture show, which coincided with JCK, reported excellent business. Buyers placed orders for many brand-name items choosing from a wide selection of offerings by American, Italian, French and other international brands.

 

No clear design trend seemed to arise from buyer's selection. It is possible that they too were interested in variety and the ability to offer their clients choice. The "same, but different" trend is in full swing.