CollectionsApr 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Treasure NecklaceA new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
EditorsJun 07, 2017
4 Takeaways from a Colorful Update in Vegas
Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator highlights a few points she took away from a presentation by the AGTA’s Doug Hucker at JCK Las Vegas.
According to a new MVI Marketing study of more than 1,000 American females, when visiting a jewelry store many of them think that the stores doesn’t offer enough color.
This means there’s a big opportunity for retailers to appeal to the consumers through colored gemstones.
Jumping on any chance to learn more about colored stones, I went to American Gem Trade Association CEO Doug Hucker’s education session at the JCK Las Vegas show.
Here are just a few ideas for retailers and updates on the gemstone market from the session that I thought were worth sharing.
1. Be conscious of how you’re adapting fashion and color trends to your store.
Read the consumer magazines as well as (obviously) trade. “Those magazines are talking about what your customer is doing with all the rest of her clothing and fashion, and you better have the ability to mix and match and work with those fashion choices,” Hucker said.
For example, with the color of the year, Greenery, there are a number of gems jewelers can stock to leverage that trend, from peridot and tourmaline to green garnet.
This doesn’t mean you have to buy in to the color 100 percent, but with these trends, consider not only how you can adapt them with gems, but also how you can offer a wide range of prices with those gems.
“When you think about those palettes of color that you see in Pantone, and you start saying, ‘That, to me, looks like pink coral or that looks like this,’ also be thinking, ‘What’s the top end of that color range for price, and what’s low end of color range for price?’”
2. Keep with the classics.
Consumers still want ruby, they still want sapphires, and they still want emeralds.
Along those same lines, though, the popularity of these stones has created an overall desire for their predominant colors, which means consumers might be open to similarly colored alternatives. There could be an opportunity to offer them exciting new stones.
“What is really changing today is that a woman doesn’t really want a ruby; she wants red. And she doesn’t want sapphire, she wants blue,” Hucker said.
3. Here’s what’s going on with the sourcing of the “big three.”
These days, most rubies are coming from Mozambique and Tanzania. Burma and Madagascar also are producing, but in smaller amounts.
Burmese rubies are special because they have a
higher concentration of chromium than anywhere else, and when chromium is combined with certain elements, it becomes fire-engine red, and chromium also fluoresces to sunlight.
Mozambique and Madagascar stones might not be quite as fire-engine red, and may have less of a pink suggestion, while Burmese and Ceylon rubies have a pinkish look.
All of this is to say that it’s important for retailers to understand what makes each gem special, Hucker said, and to be able to share information like this and tell the stories behind particular stones.
“The one thing that will make a customer buy a gem from you, rather than from him, is because when they ask you questions they get answers that they feel comfortable with,” he said.
Sapphire is still the most important gemstone going, Hucker said.
It has elegance, history and cache. Unlike ruby, where price goes up exponentially as the gem increases in size, prices of sapphires don’t increase so rapidly because it’s more common for them to be found in slightly larger sizes.
There has been a development on the sourcing of sapphires. A year and a half ago, there was a rush on an area in Madagascar where logging was taking place and the gems were then uncovered. It’s producing incredible material and the market is seeing larger sizes come from the country, even up to 50 carats, according to Hucker.
There’s not yet a lot of commercial-quality small goods coming from there, but they might enter the market soon.
For emeralds, meanwhile, the major source is Zambia, though Colombia still is a major producer and continues to be the most renowned.
The newest player is Ethiopia, though Hucker said he doesn’t think it’s going to impact the market considerably since other sources--especially Zambia and Colombia--are still so significant. They can be rather heavily included, and so could also be heavily treated, he added.
4. The market for fine quality is still good.
Despite a decline in the Chinese dollar and decreased spending, fine stones, especially when it comes to the big three, still are rare and command top dollar.
To appeal to the millennials, though, it’s important to provide then “inexpensive fun stuff,” Hucker said.
“Inexpensive comes with semi-precious gemstones, and fun comes with out of the ordinary.”
Don’t forget: This generation wants interesting products and products with story, which gemstones have in spades. Find the stones that competitors don’t have and get them in front of this generation of buyers.
Mozambique and Madagascar stones might not be quite as fire-engine red, and may have less of a pink suggestion, while Burmese and Ceylon rubies have a pinkish look.
All of this is to say that it’s important for retailers to understand what makes each gem special, Hucker said, and to be able to share information like this and tell the stories behind particular stones.
“The one thing that will make a customer buy a gem from you, rather than from him, is because when they ask you questions they get answers that they feel comfortable with,” he said.
Sapphire is still the most important gemstone going, Hucker said.
It has elegance, history and cache. Unlike ruby, where price goes up exponentially as the gem increases in size, prices of sapphires don’t increase so rapidly because it’s more common for them to be found in slightly larger sizes.
There has been a development on the sourcing of sapphires. A year and a half ago, there was a rush on an area in Madagascar where logging was taking place and the gems were then uncovered. It’s producing incredible material and the market is seeing larger sizes come from the country, even up to 50 carats, according to Hucker.
There’s not yet a lot of commercial-quality small goods coming from there, but they might enter the market soon.
For emeralds, meanwhile, the major source is Zambia, though Colombia still is a major producer and continues to be the most renowned.
The newest player is Ethiopia, though Hucker said he doesn’t think it’s going to impact the market considerably since other sources--especially Zambia and Colombia--are still so significant. They can be rather heavily included, and so could also be heavily treated, he added.
4. The market for fine quality is still good.
Despite a decline in the Chinese dollar and decreased spending, fine stones, especially when it comes to the big three, still are rare and command top dollar.
To appeal to the millennials, though, it’s important to provide then “inexpensive fun stuff,” Hucker said.
“Inexpensive comes with semi-precious gemstones, and fun comes with out of the ordinary.”
Don’t forget: This generation wants interesting products and products with story, which gemstones have in spades. Find the stones that competitors don’t have and get them in front of this generation of buyers.
More on Editors
The Latest
CrimeApr 19, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
MajorsApr 19, 2024
Unique Designs Acquires China PearlThe move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
GradingApr 19, 2024
AGS Ideal Report Now Available in Printed FormFrom now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
Weekly QuizApr 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
SourcingApr 18, 2024
Diamond Trade Remains Cautious Amid Economic UncertaintyDe Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Supplier BulletinApr 18, 2024
Discover History’s Hidden Gems at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
Brought to you by
How Jewelers of America Represents Your BusinessFor over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
WatchesApr 18, 2024
Watch E-tailer Collectability Hires Kelly YochThe Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
WatchesApr 18, 2024
TAG Heuer Opens Its Largest Standalone Boutique at SeaThe 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2024
NDC Prevails in U.K. Case Over Lab-Grown Diamond AdvertisingNDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”
Events & AwardsApr 17, 2024
And the 2024 Winner of the Shipley Award Is … John Carter received the AGS’s highest honor Tuesday afternoon at Conclave in Austin, Texas.
FinancialsApr 17, 2024
LVMH’s Q1 Jewelry Sales Fall 5%LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
MajorsApr 17, 2024
Stuller’s B&D Opens New HeadquartersB&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.
CollectionsApr 16, 2024
Akaila Reid Launches ‘Eat Cake’ CollectionIt’s ultra-feminine and filled with gold, pearls, and soft pastels.
MajorsApr 16, 2024
Loudr Adds 2 DirectorsEmily Highet Morgan and Emily Bennett have joined the agency’s team.
MajorsApr 16, 2024
Stuller Releases First Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CatalogIts updated book for mountings is also now available.
SourcingApr 16, 2024
Karen Rentmeesters Takes Over as Interim CEO of AWDCShe has been with the organization since 2010, most recently serving as its chief officer of PR and industry relations.
TechnologyApr 15, 2024
Judge Rules Jeweler’s Lawsuit Against PNC Bank Can Move ForwardJoyce’s Jewelry sued the bank after cybercriminals drained its accounts of nearly $1.6 million through a series of wire transfers.
IndependentsApr 15, 2024
Alfred W. DeScenza of DeScenza Diamonds Dies at 95He is remembered by loved ones for his loyalty, integrity, and kindness.
AuctionsApr 15, 2024
Madeleine K. Albright Jewelry, Pins Coming to AuctionHosted by Freeman’s | Hindman, the sale will take place May 7-8.
AuctionsApr 15, 2024
All of Sotheby’s ‘Rough Diamonds’ Sold in Less Than an HourThe auction house said all 24 timepieces offered in its underground sale of rare and avant-garde watches quickly found buyers.
Events & AwardsApr 15, 2024
10 Can’t-Miss Sessions at AGS Conclave 2024From lab-grown diamonds and AI to the inevitable Taylor Swift mention, here are some of Conclave’s most intriguing educational offerings.
Recorded WebinarsApr 12, 2024
Watch: What Jewelers Need to Know About InsuranceFrom cybersecurity liability to trade show coverage, insurance experts share tips on how to build the right policy.
CollectionsApr 12, 2024
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s Evil Eye Gemstone CharmThe charm is a modern rendition of the evil eye amulet that has been worn for thousands of years.
Events & AwardsApr 12, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Announces 4 Scholarship WinnersAhead of its trade show next month, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to one jewelry professional and three students.
Policies & IssuesApr 11, 2024
SRK Exports’ Journey Toward Net Zero Impact By the end of this year, SRK’s diamond manufacturing complexes will achieve net zero emissions, one of an impressive array of achievements.
