FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
Events & AwardsApr 19, 2016
Market Roundup: What Buyers Wanted in Chicago
Based on the activity at the April Smart Show, many retailers still are shopping for price-point jewelry, especially when it comes to diamond fashion.
At the recent Smart Show in Chicago, Michael Bungert of Uneek Jewelry said that the company’s Lace band collection, which is lighter and crafted in 14-karat gold, was a top seller. Pictured here is the company’s “Branscombe” open lace diamond band in 14-karat white gold.
Chicago--Based on the activity at the April Smart Show, many retailers still are shopping for price-point driven jewelry, especially when it comes to diamond fashion pieces.
The show opened Saturday in Chicago for education sessions, with buying activity kicking off on the show floor Sunday and ending Tuesday.
A number of exhibitors reiterated a sentiment that has been a theme at jewelry trade shows as of late--that retailers are buying price-point jewelry.
Michael Bungert of Uneek Jewelry said many retailers were looking for “price-point fashion jewelry,” especially fashion-forward diamond jewelry that’s geometric in shape or form, in the $500 to $2,500 range at retail.
The brand’s “Lace” collection, launched in Las Vegas last year and featuring openwork filigree and scattered accent diamonds, is “one of the hottest collections” that the company has debuted, he added.
“It’s feminine. It’s frilly. And we deliberately made it lighter in (metal) weight and lighter in diamond weight,” to keep the prices down, Bungert said. He also said they are finding that the collection has appeal outside the bridal market, with many of the rings selling as right-hand rings.
Uneek also launched its stackable rings without any diamonds and those too have been doing well for the company. Those pieces were launched in response to market demand, and without the diamonds in them, they too became price-point pieces, Bungert said.
When it comes to stone shapes, rounds still reign, with ovals increasing in popularity. Bungert said that of all the fancy cuts, ovals are “by far creating the most excitement.”
RELATED CONTENT: 6 Takeaways on the Current Bridal Market
For Alan Nacht of Bernard Nacht and Co., the popularity of bridal was nothing new, and the buyers at the Smart Show that came to the booth still were looking at estate and vintage bridal, especially pieces with intricate designs and details such as filigree and milgrain, Nacht told National Jeweler.
Buyers were shopping for bridal on the lower end of the price spectrum, generally picking up pieces in the range of $1,250 to $2,500 at wholesale.
Additionally, Nacht said they had been doing well with color at the show, especially with yellow sapphires and some peridot, in more traditional, classic ring styles.
At Frederic Duclos, Karen Duclos said that rose gold still is doing very well for them, especially when mixed with other metals, as well as the brand’s newest, updated
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
sterling silver pieces that mimic a wire wrapping look because it’s “fresh” and updated, she said.
“Stores generally want to do some two-tone and some all-silver selections,” she said. “They rarely want to take all of one or the other.”
The fact that most of the pieces from Frederic Duclos retail for less than $500 allows jewelers to look more for the styles they want than to focus on price, Duclos said.
World Trade Jewelers, meanwhile, launched new additions to its Svelte collection to continue offering price-point fashion jewelry for buyers, with its slim open lines and wearable shapes. Styles like bar necklaces and ear climbers were doing well at the show.
The company also has launched a new line of jewelry featuring diamond clusters designed to look like bigger stones and offering a bigger look than the traditional Svelte pieces. While Svelte will remain its core line, Adriene Pernice said, these new pieces with a bigger look have been very well received so far.
Over at the Eva Stone booth, meanwhile, Rafael Szyszko said that they are very happy with how their first Smart Show had been going as of Monday afternoon.
When it came to what had been hot at the booth so far, Szyszko said that many buyers were really liking their pieces with rough diamonds, as well as the brand’s textured, structural rings.
“Stores generally want to do some two-tone and some all-silver selections,” she said. “They rarely want to take all of one or the other.”
The fact that most of the pieces from Frederic Duclos retail for less than $500 allows jewelers to look more for the styles they want than to focus on price, Duclos said.
World Trade Jewelers, meanwhile, launched new additions to its Svelte collection to continue offering price-point fashion jewelry for buyers, with its slim open lines and wearable shapes. Styles like bar necklaces and ear climbers were doing well at the show.
The company also has launched a new line of jewelry featuring diamond clusters designed to look like bigger stones and offering a bigger look than the traditional Svelte pieces. While Svelte will remain its core line, Adriene Pernice said, these new pieces with a bigger look have been very well received so far.
Over at the Eva Stone booth, meanwhile, Rafael Szyszko said that they are very happy with how their first Smart Show had been going as of Monday afternoon.
When it came to what had been hot at the booth so far, Szyszko said that many buyers were really liking their pieces with rough diamonds, as well as the brand’s textured, structural rings.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
