After walking the JCK Las Vegas Show, seeing the trends, gauging the overall pulse of business, and seeing the newest collections, retailers sat down to place orders. The attendance wasn’t quite as robust as in years past, though it did mirror last year according to show organizer JCK Events. Still, those who were present were there to buy. The nature of those orders was a unique reflection of the times we’re in as well as the tariffs many are facing.

Rembrandt Charms

“I think that buyers are exhausted by the tariff situation, and they have decided to move forward with ordering despite the lack of clarity but welcomed the reduction in rates from the initial escalation,” explains Darrell D. King, president of Gunther Mele, a packaging company. “We found that the retailers who attended JCK this year were there because they rely on jewelry week as the core of their buying.”

In terms of volume of orders, vendors have mostly positive responses. Adam Bassalali, co-founder and vice president of Lali Jewels, says that his sales volume at the show was lower, but the dollars were the same as the previous year.

“Retailers are trying to fine tune their inventory, and the price of gold is so high that they’re trying to sell down their existing inventory.”

Rembrandt Charms anticipated a good show but were surprised by just how strong it was—their best in the company’s history, due in part to charm programs and shop-in-shops. Plus, Rembrandt is the manufacturer of its own products, so it has “complete control of managing our inventory levels adequately,” says Eric Lux, president.

Quality Gold was pleased as well with show results.

Quality Gold

“Our JCK orders were up 15%,” says Jeff Wynkoop of the company’s specialized sales department. He and Cora Lee, marketing director and senior merchandiser, suspect that part of the reason for the boost is pre-tariff-increase prices.

“Those were extremely attractive,” he adds. “We have $250 million in stock of inventory available for immediate delivery. We have nice assortments to help clients get through the summer.”

One surprising turn of events amongst the orders? Despite all-time-high gold prices, clients wanted 18k gold.

“Gold holds its intrinsic value,” notes Lee.

More manufacturing peers were equally pleased. Representatives from both Prime Art & Jewel and the Royal Chain Group said orders exceeded expectations. Susie Wilty, director of sales for Prime Art & Jewel, was delighted not only with domestic orders but with the international attention it received. A number of clients even asked to “replicate our entire case line,” she reveals.

Ostbye

Meanwhile, Theresa Namie, merchandise manager for Ostbye, had her own unexpected boost from clients buying one little-ordered category (rose gold). “We have not seen sales in that as much anymore,” she says.

And at Royal Chain, Phillip Gabriel Maroof, creative director and designer, explained that retailers and clients responded positively to insights on best sellers and current trends. “While overall foot traffic may have been lighter, the buyers who attended were very serious and placed larger orders,” he confirms.