JCK Las Vegas (May 31 – June 3, 2024), reinforcing its role as the premier international event for the jewelry sector, wrapped up its 2024 iteration on a triumphant note. Dubbed the “Super Bowl” of the jewelry world, JCK consistently establishes the standards, trends and atmosphere for the industry for the ensuing year. 30,000 professionals spanning the jewelry sector convened at JCK and Luxury for a week dedicated to product discovery, learning, and networking. The gathering brought together over 17.300 participants and more than 1,900 exhibitors across 20 distinct areas at The Venetian Expo, with the AGTA and GEMS pavilion, the Hong Kong pavilion and JCK Talks commencing a day earlier on May 30.
Luxury welcomed retailers from May 29 – June 3, with exclusive access for invited retailers on May 29 and May 30. “This year’s JCK was another that surpassed all expectations” states Sarin Bachmann, Group Vice President of RX’s jewelry portfolio and the event’s leader. “Even in times when there is uncertainty in the jewelry industry, JCK proves once again to be the place the entire industry gathers to source products, unveil new technologies and strategies, learn, discuss, network and place orders for the rest of the selling season. There was a noticeable shift in the energy of the industry once they arrived at JCK and Luxury and the enthusiasm on the show floor prevailed and left the industry on a very positive note.”
Sarin Bachmann, vice President RX jewelry portfolio
The Diamonds Do Good Awards were held on the eve of the opening of JCK Las Vegas. It is Diamonds Do Good’s major fundraising event to raise money for its beneficiaries. Mirroring DDG’s mission, the event recognizes visionary leaders who recognize the importance of adopting sustainable programs and policies in the changing landscape in which they live and do business. The event hosted leading luxury retailers, dignitaries, influencers, industry members and friends for a night of networking, celebration and acknowledgement of the power of good to make a difference in the world. It was a marvelous event that provided opportunities for networking the night before the JCK show opens with time to connect with honorees, presenters, colleagues and friends from around the world. The Luxury show was bustling, as jewelers experienced a high volume of promising inquiries and successful sales.
Enhancing security continued to be a focal point at this year’s event. Elevating standards further, JCK implemented additional attendee verification processes. Enhanced security measures were enforced, including badge scanning at entry points and weapons detection. “Enhancing the security measures at JCK is what is best for our entire industry. We featured state-of-the-art technology that truly raised the bar in creating a safe space for our attendees and exhibitors to conduct business,” states Bachmann. “JCK did this in a way that did not slow down entry, and the feedback was extremely appreciative.”
JCK Talks & Education commenced a day before the main show, offering a four-day program segmented into various educational tracks. The 2024 introduction of tracks such as Your Development, Business Management and Sales, alongside the return of the popular Social Stage, debuted impressively at JCK 2023. The Social Stage’s schedule included discussions on content creation on Friday, data insights on Saturday and practical applications on Sunday, led by skilled content creators and influencers. Both JCK and Luxury featured inspirational Keynote speeches. Luxury Keynotes included Kyle Scheele, sponsored by Natural Diamond Council and Henry Winkler, sponsored by De Beers Group. The JCK Keynote, packed to capacity, featured Sugar Ray Leonard discussing his career and insights on “The Power to Win,” sponsored by Platinum Guild International USA. The theme of ‘Love’ permeated JCK 2024, creating a vibrant atmosphere with engaging activations like the JCK Chapel with an Elvis impersonator, a “Puppy Love” lounge and a Love Lock Fence, enhancing the positive atmosphere on the show floor. The event also featured a parade to Tao Nightclub, culminating in a concert at JCK Rocks Tao Beach with a performance by GRAMMY-nominated Flo Rida.
The Sustainability Summit at JCK brought together important key players to discuss a 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 panelists
JCK continued to foster inclusion and diversity, showcasing emerging BIPOC designers and hosting sessions on DEI topics. Thanks to JCK Industry Fund grants, the Black in Jewelry Coalition was highlighted, providing a platform for six Black-owned brands. Luxury marked its 25th anniversary, continuing to offer premium experiences for its attendees. Key trends identified for the year included Y-necklaces, pearls in pink and golden tones and vibrant gemstones, as highlighted by Victoria Gomelsky, Editor-in-Chief of JCK Online and JCK Magazine.
Victoria Gomelsky
De Beers Group CEO Al Cook announced at the company’s JCK breakfast event a strategic overhaul, discontinuing synthetic diamonds for its Lightbox brand and shifting its focus back to natural diamonds. The company will integrate its three chemical vapour deposition (CVD) plants into one $94 million facility in Portland, Oregon, transforming it into a technology hub for industrial-use diamonds. The pivot ends De Beers’ six-year venture into lab-grown diamonds. Despite this shift, Lightbox Jewelry will continue as a consumer brand, maintaining its carbon-neutral commitment and American production.
De Beers also plans to roll out Diamond Proof, an in-store device for detecting synthetic diamonds and will begin selling polished diamonds under its traceable Code of Origin brand. Additionally, De Beers outlined future operational changes, including prioritizing high-return projects and focusing exploration efforts in Angola. The company plans to dispose of non-core assets and negotiate new supply contracts in 2025. Amid these changes, De Beers is also preparing for its separation from Anglo-American, under which it has operated since 2011.
Meanwhile, Platinum Guild International USA unveiled a new platinum alloy, Inoveo. 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. At the annual Rapaport Breakfast, Martin Rapaport, the Chairman of the Rapaport Group, spoke to a full room about the pressing challenges the diamond industry is facing. He advised the attendees to focus on selling the value of their products rather than just the price, insisting, “Stay with natural!” The session began with presentations from Mmetla Masire, Managing Director of Okavango Diamond Company, and Maksud Agadjani from Trax NYC Custom Jewelry, who shared their insights. Masire discussed his deep ties to the diamond sector, explaining how diamonds have positively influenced Botswana’s growth. He highlighted the need for traceability and origin in maintaining diamonds as a beneficial resource. Agadjani stressed the importance of adopting modern communication methods to connect with and educate the younger demographic about diamonds. Additionally, the event introduced new initiatives from Rapaport, such as the RapNet Buy Now service and Rapaport Source Certification.
The Plumb Club reaffirmed its long-term commitment to JCK, extending its partnership for another seven years, underscoring the ongoing collaboration’s positive impact. “The continued partnership between JCK and The Plumb Club showcases the mutually positive impact that the relationship between our organizations has on attendees and the industry at large,” says Victor Weinman, Pavilion Chairman of The Plumb Club and President and CEO of ODI.
At JCK I was very glad to be so well welcomed by the Natural Diamond Council club in partnership with Okavango Diamond Company. It was a fully immersive experience hosted at Yardbird Table & Bar Restaurant in The Venetian Resort Las Vegas .
Special events included a sneak preview of the first-ever engagement ring coffee table book penned by Marion Fasel , a cocktail party to celebrate Only Natural Diamonds Spring/ Summer 2024 magazine issue launch with a special celebrity guest, a fun ‘Think You Know Diamonds?’ night with Bourbon tasting, an Extraordinary Diamonds Provenance panel discussion with the curator of LA’s Natural History Museum and other leading experts, and much more. This past February, Natural Diamonds Council’s Global Ambassador Lily James embarked on a discovery trip through Canada’s North territories, the world’s third largest diamond-producing region. In the new Only Natural Diamonds magazine, Grant Mobley describes his trip alongside Lily James and reports on this diamond region. They visited diamond destinations such as Debeers Canada / Gatcho Kué Diamond mine site, Rio Tinto ‘s Yellowknife facility and Diamonds de Canada.
On 2 June 2024, Le Vian, a celebrated jewelry brand, hosted an exclusive Red Carpet Revue and Catwalk at the Luxury by JCK event in Las Vegas. There, they presented their 2025 Trend Forecast and new jewelry lines inspired by current consumer trends.
Levian Trend n.2: Imagination- Mythology & Fantasy
CEO Eddie LeVian stated, “With an ear on the ground, each year, we aim to create a bejewelled tapestry of pieces that capture the mood of the moment. From Wonder & Awe with gold-dipped jewels to Inspiration, which tells a twinkling, celestial story, this year’s collections are designed to take us beyond chaos and into an enchanting, magical world. You are invited!”
The event buzzed with excitement as a ballroom filled with jewelry enthusiasts eagerly anticipated the unveiling of the trends that will shape the next year’s styles. Models adorned with Le Vian’s newest pieces, including Blueberry Sapphires™, radiant red rubies and their iconic Chocolate Diamonds™, walked the runway. These pieces demonstrated Le Vian’s ability to capture diverse tastes and their insights into 2025 jewelry trends based on thorough analysis of consumer attitudes.
The evening kicked off with a red-carpet entrance and interviews with jewelry influencer Julia Chafe followed by a five-part show featuring the 2025 Trend Forecast and a fashion show. The event was presented by MC Lior Suchard, a renowned mentalist, who entertained the audience with his mental tricks and helped highlight the key trends and values that guide Le Vian, ending the show with an impressive act. The night also included a performance by Mark McGrath from the hit band Sugar Ray.
Supporting its philanthropic commitments, the event also benefited Le Vian’s chosen charities. Contributions were matched by Le Vian and an anonymous donor up to $250,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and $50,000 for Diamonds Do Good, a global non-profit aimed at improving lives in diamond-producing communities.
Looking ahead, JCK 2025 will shift to a slightly later date, promising another compelling edition of this pivotal industry event.
Save The Date for JCK 2025
JCK: Friday, June 6 – Monday, June 9, 2025
Luxury: June 4 – 9, 2025 By Invitation Only, Wednesday, June 4 & Thursday, June 5
The Venetian Expo & The Venetian
Opening Thursday, June 5. 1 Day Earlier than the JCK Show Floor
Hong Kong Pavilion, Level 1 Ballrooms
GEMS featuring AGTA, Level 2
JCK Talks Pre-Show Sessions, The Venetian Meeting Rooms, Level 1
Discover more @ lasvegas.jckonline.com
Article edited by Laura Astrologo Porché
Instagram @journaldesbijoux
