By David Brough
LAS VEGAS – Attendance at JCK Las Vegas (May 29-June 1, 2026) was buoyant despite complications over U.S. tariffs, soaring gold and energy prices, and worries over conflict in the Middle East.
Jewellery purchases deliver a sense of reassurance to customers in uncertain times.
Marketing initiatives led by Botswana and Angola boosted sentiment in the natural diamond segment.
Diamond suppliers, both in the natural and laboratory grown categories, reported brisk enquiries and orders.
Coloured gemstone dealers spoke of ongoing complications from U.S. tariffs with some suppliers struggling with procedures to book refunds.
Dealers noted growing demand for tourmalines, including Paraiba types, and for alexandrites, with tight supplies underpinning prices of rubies, emeralds and sapphires.
Nivoda reported that it was expanding its offering of loose diamonds and gemstones to fine jewellery.
Italian gold jewellery exporters embraced efforts to innovate to offer more competitive designs, including lighter weight pieces, to combat high and volatile bullion prices, tariffs and conflict in the Middle East, a leading market.
Italian exporters are seeking to expand into alternative geographical markets, such as South American and African countries.
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) inaugurated the India Design Gallery, a showcase for independent designers, on the first day of the show, while buyers crammed into the India pavilion to stock the latest jewellery designs.
