The show had four major themes shaping trading activity:
- ✅ Foot traffic
- ✅ Inventory
- ✅ Lab-grown diamonds
- ✅ Actual demand
✨ The overall vibe? Better than expected.The US diamond jewelry market remains strong, even as it shifts and adapts.
🇺🇸 Americana Vibes in JewelryLe Vian spotlighted patriotism as a trend:
- 🔴 Red, ⚪ White, 🔵 Blue = Unity & Resilience
- Southwest & denim-inspired collections were popular
- Bold, edgy looks dominated Couture and Luxury showcases
👣 Attendance
- Steady foot traffic, especially early on
- Slightly fewer buyers than previous years, but more serious ones
- Fewer international exhibitors, esp. from 🇮🇱 Israel & 🇮🇳 India
- Caused by market slowdowns and US tariffs
📦 Inventory
- US-based inventory dominated
- 10% tariffs discouraged overseas suppliers
- Most sold stock arrived before April’s tariff
- Some attended just to use their non-refundable deposits
- “Made in America is selling in America”
💎 Lab-Grown Diamonds
- Still selling well despite falling prices
- Retailers unsure how to switch back to naturals
- Solutions: separate displays, separate stores
- Market polarization:
- Luxury 💰
- Budget 💸
- Middle squeezed
📊 Demand
- Strong for 2 to 5 ct polished, esp. 2.5 ct 🔥
- Wealthy buyers shifting to large natural diamonds
- Trend due to larger, cheaper lab-grown alternatives
- Popular shapes:
- Ovals
- Elongated cushions
- Radiant cuts
- Marquises (back in fashion, low supply)
🎲 Final Takeaway
- No trade boom, but:
- Confidence in US market
- Panic about tariffs & lab-grown eased
- Clear direction for year ahead
- Great networking too 💬✨