-Luxury by JCK: An Exclusive Affair-

Running concurrently with JCK Las Vegas, Luxury by JCK provided an exclusive, invitation-only environment tailored to high-end jewelry buyers and exhibitors for the past 25 years. From May 29 to June 3, this event offered a more intimate setting where luxury brands could present their exquisite collections to a select audience. Luxury by JCK featured a carefully curated selection of exhibitors, ensuring that attendees had access to the finest and most unique pieces in the market. Brands showcased high-value gemstones, one-of-a-kind designs, and exceptional craftsmanship. The event emphasized a VIP experience, offering personalized services such as private appointments, exclusive lounge access, and concierge services to cater to the needs of discerning buyers. Luxury by JCK included trend presentations and fashion shows that highlighted upcoming styles and innovations in high jewelry. These events provided inspiration and insight into the future of luxury jewelry design.

-JCK Las Vegas: A Comprehensive Marketplace-

JCK Las Vegas stands as the largest and most comprehensive jewelry trade event in North America. This year’s show lived up to its reputation, featuring over 1,900 exhibitors from more than 40 countries, offering a wide array of products that ranged from fine jewelry to technological innovations in manufacturing and retail. The event hosted a wide array of exhibitors, ranging from established brands to emerging designers. This diversity provided attendees with a comprehensive view of the latest trends and innovations in the jewelry industry.

JCK Las Vegas offered numerous educational opportunities, including seminars and workshops led by industry experts. Topics ranged from market trends and consumer behavior to advancements in technology and sustainability practices providing valuable insights for professionals looking to stay ahead in the competitive market.

The “Social Stage,” was back after its impressive debut at JCK 2023. This year, Friday’s topics focused on content, Saturday’s highlighted data, and Sunday’s showed the how-to’s of bringing it all into practice. Content creators and influencers who have mastered the art of engagement led multiple sessions at The Social Stage.

The Sustainability Summit at JCK brought together innovators, leaders and advocates for positive change to discuss a more sustainable future for the jewelry industry. The Summit featured a panel moderated by Dennis Campbell, Professor of Business Administration at Harvard with panelists and speakers throughout including Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Internation Affairs Officer at Kering, Dr. M Sanjayan, CEO, Conservation International, Iris Van Der Veken, Executive Director & Secretary General, Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, Melanie Grant, Executive Director, Responsible Jewelry Council, Glenn J. Hansen, Founder and CEO, Reduce 2, Tiffany Stevens, President, CEO and General Counsel, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, and Ann Grimmett, Vice President of Merchandising, Jared.

The President Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi of Botswana attended JCK with the House of Botswana and in a one-on-one Fireside Chat with Victoria Gomelsky, emphasized the importance of natural diamonds for Botswana’s economy. Alan Cook CEO of  De Beers announced it will suspend protection of lab-grown diamonds for jewelry purposes and that its Lightbox factory will be handed over to a subsidiary Element Six to become a “world-class CVD production hub” for industrial purposes.

The show facilitated numerous networking events, including cocktail receptions, private dinners, and special meet-and-greet sessions. These gatherings allowed industry professionals to connect in a more informal setting, fostering collaboration and partnerships. *Networking Events**: JCK Las Vegas facilitated numerous networking opportunities, including cocktail receptions, private dinners, and special meet-and-greet sessions. These events allowed industry professionals to build relationships in a more informal setting, fostering collaboration and new partnerships.

-Diamonds Do Good Gala-

One of the most anticipated events during the JCK Las Vegas week was the Diamonds Do Good Gala, held on May 30, 2024. This annual gala celebrates the positive impact of the diamond industry on communities around the world. The gala brings together industry leaders, celebrities, and philanthropists to honor those who have made significant contributions to social and environmental causes. The honorees this year were:

VISIONARY LEADERSHIP AWARD: GIA

For their unwavering dedication to independence, excellence, trust, and transparency illuminating the path toward a more sustainable and socially responsible future. GIA’s commitment to protecting consumers, education, environmental conservation, and social responsibility has left an indelible mark on our industry and has contributed to the betterment of communities around the world.

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD: LONDON JEWELERS

For their unwavering commitment to philanthropy and community betterment while also being a beacon of trust and integrity for over nine decades. London Jewelers exemplifies the profound influence a business can have by not only providing exquisite jewelry but also fostering a world where generosity and compassion thrive.

NEXT GEN AWARD: LISA BRIDGE President & CEO of Ben Bridge Jeweler

Recognizing her exceptional leadership in reshaping the natural diamond and jewelry industry landscape, connecting with Gen Z and Millennial consumers through innovative ideas, and making meaningful contributions to the communities where Ben Bridge Jeweler does business.

-Natural Diamond Council Activities-

The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) played a significant role at JCK Las Vegas, showcasing their efforts to promote natural diamonds and support the industry. The NDC’s activities included various initiatives aimed at educating consumers and industry professionals about the value and ethical considerations of natural diamonds. The NDC hosted a series of educational seminars that covered topics such as the origin and journey of natural diamonds, the importance of ethical sourcing, and the latest trends in diamond jewelry. The NDC launched new campaign; Real. Rare. Responsible with global ambassador, Lilly James. This campaign is to celebrate the unique, timeless and ancient beauty of Earth’s finite natural wonder, and the responsible practices inherent to the natural diamond industry.

-The Future of Jewelry Trade Shows-

The success of JCK Las Vegas and Luxury by JCK 2024 underscores the resilience and dynamism of the jewelry industry. Despite global economic uncertainties, the enthusiasm and attendance at these events signal a robust market eager for innovation and quality. Looking forward, these exhibitions are expected to continue evolving, incorporating more digital elements and sustainable practices. As the industry embraces new technologies and adapts to changing consumer preferences, JCK Las Vegas and Luxury by JCK will remain pivotal platforms for driving growth and showcasing the brilliance of the jewelry world.

In conclusion, the June 2024 editions of JCK Las Vegas and Luxury by JCK not only highlighted the current trends and innovations in the jewelry industry but also reinforced the importance of connection, education, and sustainability in shaping the future of this dazzling sector.

Ruby is from , a variety of the mineral corundum, same mineral as sapphire. Ruby is one of the traditional cardinal gems, together with sapphire, emerald, and diamond. The word ruby comes from ruber, Latin for red. The color of a ruby is due to the element chromium. Ruby is defined to be red, and all other hues of the gem species corundum are called sapphire. Ruby may exhibit a range of secondary hues, including orange, purple, violet, and pink. The finest ruby has a pure, vibrant red to slightly purplish red color. In most markets, pure red colors command the highest prices and ruby with overtones of orange and purple are less valued. The color must be neither too dark nor too light to be considered finest quality. The most valuable color is Burmese pigeon-blood, which is a bright, rich, full red with a slightly bluish hue. One of the main reasons that Burmese rubies are so valuable is because of their very specific, extremely saturated colour, caused by a high chromium content in the ground from which they are extracted. Another factor is their natural fluorescence, which has the effect of making the stone ‘come alive’ and appear internally illuminated.

Rubies date back to 200 BC ,  there are records of ruby trading on Silk Road, China. Historically, rubies were mined in Thailand, Colombia, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, Namibia, Japan, and Scotland, and after world war II deposits discovered in Madagascar, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Vietnam.

The “Valley of Rubies”, the mountainous Mogok area, in north of Myanmar (Burma) was the main source of rubies for centuries. It is noted as the original source of ruby including the world’s finest “pigeon’s blood” rubies. In central Myanmar, the area of Mong Hsu began producing rubies during the 1990s and rapidly became the world’s main ruby mining area. The most recently found ruby deposit in Myanmar is in Namya (Namyazeik) located in the northern state of Kachin. In Pakistani Kashmir there are vast proven reserves of millions of rubies, worth up to half a billion dollars. However, as of 2017 there was only one mine (at Chitta Katha) due to lack of investment. In Afghanistan, rubies are mined at Jegdalek. In 2017 the Aappaluttoq mine in Greenland began running. The rubies in Greenland are said to be among the oldest in the world at approximately 3 billion years old. The Aappaluttoq mine in Greenland is located 160 kilometers south of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. The rubies are traceable from mine to market.

5 most important Rubies:

1- The Sunrise Ruby

The Sunrise Ruby is a 25.59-carat Mogok Burmese ruby that was accompanied by reports from the SSEF and Gübelin, verifying the origin of ruby as Burma and “pigeon-blood” color, also certifying no indication of heat treatment. Sotheby’s also noted that the ruby “displays a homogeneous and richly saturated ‘pigeon blood red’ colour, which typifies the finest of these gems. The depth of colour, combined with a high clarity and brilliance, all contribute to the beauty of the gem. The shape and finely proportioned cut provides vivid internal colour reflections.” It was set into a platinum signed and numbered Cartier mounting and flanked by shield-shaped diamonds. The Sunrise Ruby sold for a record price of US$30.42 million on 12 May 2015 at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva, Switzerland.

2- The Jubilee Ruby

The Jubilee Ruby a 15.99 carats Burmses ruby accompanied by three reports from the AGL American Gemological Laboratories, SSEF and Gübelin, all stating that the origin of this ruby would be classified as Burma (Myanmar), and possesses extraordinary characteristics and merits special mention and appreciation. The ruby has a remarkable size and weight of 15.991 cts and exhibits an attractive vivid colour, combined with fine purity. The inclusions found by microscopic inspection represent the hallmarks of classical ruby mines in the Mogok valley in Burma (Myanmar), well known for its wealth in gems since historic times. Its attractive vivid red colour is due to a combination of well-balanced trace elements in this gemstone, characteristic for the finest rubies from Mogok. In addition to these qualities, this ruby has been spared exposure to heat treatment and its clarity and colour are thus all naturalwith no gemological evidence of heat.  Set in a distinctive gold and diamond mounting by Verdura, and sold for $14.2 million, which equates to $885,000 per carat in 2016 at Christie’s.

3- The Crimson Flame Ruby

The Crimson Flame Ruby is an exceptional 15.04ct Burmese ruby, accompanied by reports from SSEF and Gübelin  stating that the ruby is of Burma (Myanmar) origin, with no indications of heating and this colour variety may also be called “pigeon’s blood red” in the trade; also accompanied by an appendix stating that the ruby possesses a combination of outstanding characteristics. It displays a homogeneous and richly saturated colour, which typifies the finest of these gems. The depth of colour, combined with a high clarity and brilliance, all contribute to the beauty of the gem. Such a combination of characteristics is very rare in Burmese rubies of this size. The Crimson Flame Ruby by Boghossian fetched just under $18.5 million at Christie’s Hong Kong in December 2015.

4- The ‘Graff Ruby’

The ‘Graff Ruby’ is a 8.62ct cushion-shaped Pigeon’s Blood Burmese Ruby weighing 8.62 carats, set between triangular diamond shoulders within a mount decorated throughout with brilliant-cut diamonds, signed Graff sold for $8.6 million at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland.

5- Magnificent Ruby & Diamond Necklace by Etcetera

Etcetera designed an articulated brilliant-cut diamond lattice-work necklace, centering thirteen pear-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 5.14 to 1.00 carats, framed by two rows of forty-eight oval and cushion-shaped rubies weighing approximately 120.00 carats. Accompanied by reports from the SSEF and Gubelin stating that the total are of Burma (Myanmar) origin, with no indications of heating and the colour of these rubies may also be called ‘pigeon’s blood’ in the trade; The rubies exhibit a highly matching vivid colour and an outstanding fine purity, rarely encountered in rubies of Burmese origin. The rubies have been spared exposure to heat treatment and their colour and purity are thus entirely natural. Assembling a matching selection of natural rubies from Burma of such quality and size – all showing the most sought after “pigeon blood red’ colour – is extremely rare and exceptional. Thus this ruby necklace can be considered a true treasure of nature. This magnificent necklace sold for $13 million at Chritie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels.

References & Credit
Information gathered collectively from Wikipedia, Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

Images:
The Sunrise Ruby courtesy of Sotheby’s
The Jubilee Ruby courtesy of Christie’s
The Crimson Flame courtesy of Boghossian & Christie’s
The Graff Ruby courtesy of Graff & Sotheby’s
The Etcetera Necklace courtesy of Christie’s