Show Off
December 09, 07
NEW YORK
At the start of the U.S. show season, the New York Show gave retailers and buyers the chance to preview the season’s newest jewelry collections and to get a head start on the consumer trends predicted to set the tone for the year, including hoop earrings, mixing and matching rings and charm bracelets. Although attendee foot traffic was generally strong and consistent, a number of the “usual faces” did not exhibit. Nevertheless, as Steve MacDiarmid of DTC Sightholder Stuller said, “Attendees were [t]here to buy.” The show is not a strong venue for loose diamond dealers, which could account for why the New York Diamond Dealers Club (DDC) Pavilion was about 30 percent smaller than usual.
BASEL
It was hoop, hoop, hooray at Basel in April as hoped jewelry continued to dominate the vitrines. Looking to take this ubiquitous trend to the next level, some jewelers, such as Crivelli and Mattioli, showcased bent hoops or teardrop-shaped circles. Continuing Vicenza’s taste for the macabre, jeweled skulls made an appearance, as did other icons from the dark side. Diamond-wise, traders were generally happy, although a number lamented reduced traffic as well as an absence of American buyers. According to Alain Shapira of New York-based A.S. Diamonds, pear shapes moved well, as did oversizes and cushions.
LAS VEGAS
In late May and early June, the entire jewelry and diamond world descended on Las Vegas, although many complained that attendance was thinner than previous years. One reason could be that pre-shows and side shows, including Luxury and Premiere at the Venetian and Couture at the Wynn, meant that buyers suffered from show overload. For many it was a case of targeted buying and targeted selling, especially from retailers who came armed with shopping lists. Following on from the trend for brown, brown and more brown seen at Basel, brown diamonds and brown gems were highly visible. And, despite the assertion by Daniel Bogue of Mattioli at Basel that red-hued gold would not take off in the States because American women don’t understand it, there was plenty of rose gold throughout the show.
MUMBAI
In September, diamantaires were full of praise for the Indian International Jewellery Show, which took place in Mumbai. Foot traffic of 36,000 far surpassed the target of 25,000 set by show organizer, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Attendance and business was boosted in no small part by the strength of the Indian market, especially compared to the flagging American economy. Many foreign traders used the show as their first foray into the behemoth Indian market, and while they may not have done the business they expected, many were philosophical about the rewards they can hope to gain from the experience over the next few years.
HONG KONG
The Hong Kong Watch & Jewellery Show was a great place to be for diamond buyers and sellers. Demand for bigger stones of lower colors was strong, if only because buyers could not get the better colors that they really wanted and instead settled for the next best thing. Indian buyers were extremely busy, as were Indian exhibitors, who reported that their best buyers were other Indians looking to satisfy the growing local market. It was a different story at the show’s second location near the airport, which had minimal traffic. However, far from expressing disappointment, many exhibitors relegated to this location said that they were looking at their position there as a long-term investment, with many waiting to be “promoted” to the main location. Taking advantage of the strong demand in this region, show organizers are adding a Macau show to their schedule for 2008.