My JCK Las Vegas 2025 Journey

Step with me onto the colourful present ground of JCK Las Vegas 2025. From an early morning keynote with Daymond John to a brush with the president of Botswana, I absorbed the tales, tendencies, and vitality of the world’s largest jewellery commerce present. With over 1,800 exhibitors and 30,000 business professionals, it’s about individuals, function, and the evolving pulse of our business.

From Amsterdam to Vegas: Touchdown in a World of Sparkle

It was an evening flight that took me from Amsterdam to Las Vegas. I arrived, grabbed a taxi, and headed straight for The Venetian. After a fast check-in, it was already time to go to mattress once more. As a result of within the morning…

I wakened early on the sixth of June. With a way of calm, I obtained myself prepared and headed in direction of the present round 9 am. When you’ve got by no means been to The Venetian, it’s best to know it’s monumental. With over 7,100 suites, dozens of eating places and retailers, and a continuing background buzz of slot machines, it’s a world unto itself.

Strolling via the acquainted halls of the lodge, I noticed the same old “Ask Me” indicators held up by dozens of useful employees. It felt like I had by no means left. The present entrance was proper there in the identical constructing. I walked into the Press/Media Room and was greeted warmly by Nicole Wong and Jen Cullen Williams, who have been there to assist hosted press and assist with something we would have liked. Quickly sufficient, acquainted faces joined me and the thrill actually started.

Over the subsequent three days, I wandered. I attended talks, occasions, and spent hours exploring. As all the time, there’s by no means sufficient time to see all of it. The present is that large. With over 1,800 exhibitors, it’s straightforward to really feel overwhelmed, particularly for individuals who have by no means attended a commerce present earlier than. Fortunately, I’m not a purchaser, so I don’t must make the robust calls. However what a feast for the eyes all of it is.

A Fast Phrase of Thanks

Earlier than I share extra, I wish to thank the Luxurious Model Group and JCK for his or her beneficiant internet hosting and glorious steering all through the present. All the things was so properly organized, and their assist made my expertise not simply clean, however actually satisfying.

Nicole Wong, Esther Ligthart and Rachael Taylor, Duvall O’Steen and once more Esther

JCK is the main international jewellery present, and this 12 months’s version lived as much as its title:

• Over 30,000 attendees, together with greater than 17,000 consumers
• A platform for locating tendencies, expertise, and expertise
• A spot the place networking and enterprise come collectively

The theme this 12 months was A long time — a nod to jewellery’s timeless position in human tradition, and a look ahead to its evolving future.

Eddie LeVian with Esther, and Esther carrying jewellery by LeVian

Esther with Jewellery Instagram Influencer Agatha Janowiak (Blingsis) 

Let me share a quick overview from the official launch:

“JCK and Luxurious 2025 have been a convincing success, with elevated attendance and vibrant shopping for exercise. JCK continues to offer unmatched alternatives to attach, be taught, and develop. With international individuals, the present as soon as once more proved to be the premier hub for enterprise within the jewellery commerce.”

The present was filled with moments: from Snoop Dogg and Jason Derulo lighting up JCK Rocks, to an insightful keynote by Daymond John on entrepreneurial success. JCK Talks continued to be a spotlight for a lot of retailers and types trying to sharpen their enterprise information. And this 12 months, the Kering Technology Award X Jewellery ceremony made its debut, shining a lightweight on innovation and sustainability in our business.

Jewellery by LeVian

Jewellery by Hearts of Fireplace and Brian Gavin and Esther 

On Saturday morning, at 7:30 a.m., I attended an early occasion that includes Daymond John from Shark Tank. His keynote was half leisure, half confession, and totally inspiring. He spoke candidly concerning the challenges and missteps in constructing FUBU, and shared 5 “shark factors” for fulfillment. What made it so satisfying was his trustworthy storytelling and self-deprecating humor. I left the session smiling and prepared for an additional day full of individuals and jewellery.

On Sunday morning, I attended the Rapaport Breakfast, an annual occasion that brings collectively the highest voices within the diamond commerce. Martin Rapaport shared his typical combine of knowledge and opinions, and though a clip of Trump stirred discomfort for a lot of within the room, the occasion stays a pillar of the present.

When Al Cook dinner, CEO of De Beers, took the stage, the main target shifted to traceability and accountable sourcing. He talked about that whereas prospects don’t usually ask the place diamonds come from, the business should keep forward and make transparency a key a part of the story.

That obtained me considering — in lots of nations, provenance is hardly mentioned. Within the Netherlands, for instance, it’s uncommon to listen to manufacturers clarify the place their small diamonds are sourced. I requested him about this, and his response can be featured in my subsequent weblog.

I wished to gauge how consumers have been feeling. One purchaser from Kentucky, a Rolex vendor, instructed me that 85% of his time was booked with current suppliers, leaving only a small window to find one thing new. But he felt that his prospects have been nonetheless shopping for with confidence. He was not the one one sharing optimistic retail tales with me.

At Luxurious, the part of the present targeted on higher-end items, and it was a bit quieter once I visited. However these within the cubicles instructed me the times earlier than had been filled with exercise. Right here, they work totally on an appointment-only foundation.  On Friday, the vitality shifted noticeably. Nevertheless, over the weekend, it was busy as soon as once more. 

Pippo Perez jewellery at JCK

Later that day, I visited the competing Couture Present on the Wynn. Stunning as all the time, with an emphasis on luxurious manufacturers, a lot of that are European. However the vibe? Quiet. Once I returned to JCK, the distinction was speedy — a vigorous, energetic environment filled with interplay.

In all places I turned, there was one thing occurring: the Italian Pavilion, gemstone sellers, rising designers, equipment suppliers, cash-and-carry silver distributors, and sure, even cubicles promoting grillz and outsized pendants. From refined classics to street-style bling, JCK has all of it.

In a single part, I discovered massive jewellery items with daring designs — crowns, bulldogs, and letters, all studded with diamonds. The individuals behind the cubicles didn’t appear significantly related to the aesthetic they have been promoting. It made me mirror on branding. We regularly talk about authenticity, however generally it’s simply concerning the product.

Esther with Forbes Jewellery Writers (on the correct Kyle Roderick) and a hoop by Austy Lee

One significantly significant second was visiting the Home of Botswana. The president of Botswana himself got here to open the sales space, highlighting simply how a lot the diamond business means to their nation. I spoke with one of many staff members, who passionately described how income from diamonds helps fund training, healthcare, and infrastructure. It was shifting to listen to how deeply this business can influence communities.

A number of private highlights:

• Austy Lee — what a expertise. A pleasure to fulfill and see his work up shut.
• Le Vian — their snake necklace caught my consideration.
• The Italian Pavilion — I ended by on Monday to listen to from exhibitors how they see the US market. Their message? No matter your political beliefs, america stays an important market.

The conversations have been the heartbeat of my go to. I didn’t see every thing — nobody can — however what I did see crammed me with tales, impressions, and questions.

Within the coming weeks, I’ll be writing extra about:

• The state of the diamond business
• Jewellery tendencies I noticed on the ground
• The winners of the Kering awards
• How storytelling and authenticity proceed to form our business

Merely Grateful

I’m grateful to have been a part of JCK as soon as once more. This present jogs my memory each time why I really like what I do. It’s concerning the jewellery, sure, but it surely’s additionally about individuals, function, and people little moments of connection that stick with you.

Till subsequent time.

JCK Las Vegas can be held once more from Might twenty ninth to June 1st 2026