Gold, Diamonds and Crystals Glitter, Sparkle, and Shine at Las Vegas Jewelry Week

The World Gold Council's LoveGold exhibit at Couture.

Not everything was for sale at the jewelry shows in Las Vegas this past week although I suppose someone could have purchased the 27-pound gold bar valued at more than $500,000 from the LoveGold Exhibit at the Couture jewelry show.

Gold jewelry from Couture Show jewelry exhibitors.

Up on a stage above the tradeshow exhibitors at Wynn Las Vegas, the World Gold Council’s exhibition included art creations, curated gold jewelry used at red carpet events and selected gold pieces from the vendors at the tradeshow. LoveGold is the fashion jewelry initiative of the WGC, the marketing development organization of the gold industry.

One of the gold fashion displays at the LoveGold exhibit.

Many of the pieces were from the catwalk at Cannes where they were part of a special fashion show that was curated by Carine Roitfeld, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, to benefit amfAR, the foundation for AIDS research.

“We want to showcase the best that gold can be regardless of origin or price point,” said Sally Morrison of the World Gold Council. “The exhibition at Couture was a way of introducing the beginning of this activity to the brands and press at the show.”

A display at the "Diamonds with a Story" Rio Tinto Diamonds exhibition that highlights diamond origins.

As previously noted, Rio Tinto Diamonds presented an exhibition at the JCK Luxury and JCK Las Vegas tradeshows titled “Diamonds with a Story.” It featured jewelry created for the US market by eight North American designers based on the following four topics: “Origin,” “Cutting Impact,” “Mixed Medium” and “Color My World.” The designers created their works using Rio Tinto's colored diamonds from its Argyle mine in Australia and white diamonds from its Diavik mine in Northwestern Canada.

Varieties of Rio Tinto diamonds.

The exhibit is part of a marketing program by the mining company for the jewelry trade based on its own consumer research. The jewelry collections based on the four stories identify consumers' desire for the following attributes:

• Identifying the place of origin of the diamond they buy;
• Knowing that their diamond purchase is having a positive impact;
• Differentiating designs and concepts; and
• Access to natural colored diamonds

“We are excited by how well the 'Diamonds with a Story' platform is resonating," said Rebecca Foerster, manager of Rio Tinto Diamonds US Representative Office. “This appetite for innovation is good news for miners, manufacturers, retailers and ultimately the consumer.”

Elaborate and colorful jewelry design by David Mandel, part of the Swarovski Elements exhibit at JCL Las Vegas.

Swarovski Elements, the premium brand division of the world-renowned crystal company, Swarovski, provided a fashion-forward jewelry exhibition at JCK Las Vegas called “World Jewelry Facets,” featuring collaborations with designers and artists representing several mediums who created colorful designs using Swarovski crystal.

A necklace by Tim Hosier and Brian Thorson.

The creations ranged from elaborate, fanciful designs to more wearable pieces. Designers included Tim Hosier and Brian Thorson, known for their home accessories designs, to entertainment industry designer David Mandel.

Jewelry by American artists at the Swarovski Elements exhibit

There is also a charitable element with designs created by Senhoa, a non-profit organization and fashion brand that produces jewelry made by survivors of human trafficking. The Senhoa line on display was designed by Canadian model, Coco Rocha, and handcrafted by survivors of exploitation in Cambodia.

Jewelry by the non-profit organization and fashion brand, Senhoa, handcrafted by survivors of exploitation in Cambodia,

 
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