|
| July/August 2006 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
JA New York Show: Summer in Neutral The summer Jewelers of America (JA) Show closed on a quiet note, reflecting slow retail sales in the first half of the year. The show, held July 30-August 2 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, drew approximately 1,900 exhibitors. At the time of writing, attendance figures had not yet been released. Sales reports from vendors varied, reflecting the buying trend at the jewelry shows in Las Vegas two months earlier. The companies who had appointments with existing customers, or who promoted their appearance at the show in advance, did well. But buyers showed little interest in shopping around or opening new accounts, preferring instead to take notes and wait to see what happened in the market. Some exhibitors said their customers didn’t come at all. Chains with large, open hoops continued to be popular, especially set with rough, chunky gemstones. Variations on the theme included chains with multiple strands that gave the illusion of layers and opera-length necklaces that combined open links with pearls and rough or cabochon gemstone beads. Likewise, hoop earrings continued their reign, but with an added twist or accent to set them apart from the crowd.
Carrying forward the idea of charm bracelets, some designers have begun creating necklaces with large, open hoops that can include a variety of smaller charms, usually with gemstones or other objects that have a special meaning. The most popular gemstones at the show were in neutral colors — champagne-colored topaz, lighter shades of citrine, dark brown “smoky” quartz, and black onyx or more reflective gems like black spinel or black diamond. Where buyers ventured into color, it was subdued. The green quartz known as prasiolite or “green amethyst” continued to be a hot seller, and some darker olive greens, such as green tourmaline, did well also. Pale purple amethyst, including the pink-purple shades sometimes called “pinkberry,” was popular among gemstone buyers who were looking ahead to next spring. Still, the economic news was not all bad. July retail sales at companies like Wal-Mart, Nordstrom’s, and Limited Brands Inc. came in higher than expected, and orders in the manufacturing sector were up. If the economy keeps moving — even at a slower pace — it puts consumers in a better position going into the holiday season. |
|
| Subscribe to Colored Stone Today and Save! |
||
|
|
 |
One
year (6 issues) Only $29.95 |
| Industry buyers and decision-makers all over the world rely on Colored Stone's extensive trade coverage for the latest information in the gem field. Colored Stone delivers up-to-the minute news on the gemstone trade, no matter where on the globe it's happening. PLUS receive the Tucson Show Guide FREE! A must-have 500+ page annual guide incides all major trade show locations, exhibitor lists, and so much more. Also include is the largest directory of supplies and products that you'll want to refer to all year long. Don't go to the show without it. (TSG mails at the end of December). Start a new subscription or give a gift at the same great price! |
||
 |
 |
|
|
e-mail the editors of Colored Stone | About Colored Stone | Sign up for our e-newsletter |
This site and all of its contents are
copyright Colored Stone and Interweave unless otherwise noted. |
