In the middle of the desert, at one end of the Vegas “strip”, the entire jewelry industry came together last week in an elegant celebration of splendor and sparkle. Jewelry designers and retailers from around the globe convened for the annual Jewelry Market Week at various trade shows to network, sell, educate and inspire each other. Assael exhibited its newest collections at the high-end designer jewelry show at the Wynn Las Vegas, appropriately named The Couture Show. From hobnobbing with Neiman Marcus to raising a glass with editors of luxury magazines like Elite Traveler, Town & Country, Vogue and Veranda, the week was full of beauty, bubbles, inspiration and innovation. Let’s take a look behind the scenes…

Wow Factor

Clockwise from Upper Left – W Magazine editor trying on the new Assael Tahitian Pearl with Color Change Garnet fringe earrings; Assael new Sardinian Precious Coral, Black Onyx and Briolette Diamond chain necklace; @KaterinaPerez sporting the new necklace Cleopatra-style; Assael Power Pearls Booth Display; Silvery Tahitian Pearl and Aquamarine Modern Mobile earrings; @Gemologue Liza Urla striking an exotic pose while wearing the Modern Mobile earrings

Assael hosted a bevy of editors and journalists for private appointments, as well as for an opening day cocktail hour. The most common refrain heard throughout the Assael exhibition was “WOW”. Jewelry influencers like Katerina Perez (@katerinaperez), Liza Urla (@gemologue) and Margo Raffaelli (@hernameismargo) all brought photographers and taught us innovative ways to wear and/or to pose in the new Assael jewelry styles. Vanity Fair and W Magazine editors went nuts for the super-lengthy earrings. The Knot and Sophisticated Living editors gravitated to the wide array of playful pearl rings. National Jeweler flipped (a literal hair flip) for the Sun & Moon earrings with Golden Keshi pearls. There were smiles galore and a marathon of selfies!

Always Akoya

Clockwise from upper left – Assael 100” Akoya pearl necklace worn with a classic brooch, new Assael Silk Akoya pearl station chain, new Sean Gilson for Assael Bubble ring, new Silk hoop earrings with Akoya pearl worn by Muse Magazine Deputy Editor, Sarah Ansari of Robb Report showing off the new Sean Gilson for Assael Bubble earrings

Also new at the Couture show, the “Always Akoya” collection features mini versions of Bubbles by Sean Gilson for Assael in both drop earrings and a stunning new ring that floats across multiple fingers. And the new “Silk” collection showcases pristine Japanese Akoya pearls drifting along a silky smooth 18K gold chain. The contemporary look is eye-catching and youthful, perfect for It Girls or on-the-go moms. These versatile pearl options also easily work day or night, adding the right touch of sophistication and class to business attire or to casual chic styles.

Trendspotting

Clockwise from Upper Left – Assael Sardinian Precious Coral and Tahitian Pearl multi-strand necklace; Assael new Modern Mobile earrings featuring a square cut Green Peridot and Fijian Natural Color Cultured Round Pearls; new Assael Tahiitan pearl with Color Change Garnet fringe earrings; new Assael Gold, Ruby and Angel Skin Coral floral brooch worn in the hair; Assael Tahitian pearl and gemstone stackable rings

The annual Couture Show is also the perfect place for trend forecasting. With some of the greatest minds in the fine jewelry industry all together in one place, it is easy to see what’s hot and what we’ll be seeing more of in the seasons to come. Statement earrings are on the rise – shoulder dusters, large drops, ear-climbers and mobiles. Assael showed two mobile style earrings – a long emerald cut Aquamarine floating between two silvery Tahitian pearls and multiple pearls hanging with a green peridot in geometric fashion. The geometry and the color combination caught the eye of the prestigious “Couture Design Awards” judges with Assael named as a finalist in the pearl category!

Exotic stones are also trending. Assael’s Tahitian pearl earrings with a lengthy cascading fringe of color-change garnet caught everyone’s eye, especially the press! The garnets look green until they catch the light, and then bluish-purple shades arise. Bi-color tourmaline is another spectacular stone of the moment. Assael paired these two-color gems with both pearls and coral of similar hues for a dramatic and captivating effect. The bright orange hue of spessartite, also called Mandarin Garnet, was paired with golden pearls in earrings and a lovely Tahitian pearl with warm color undertones in a stackable ring. Speaking of which, stackable rings are trending, as well as interesting ways to wear brooches. Clip them on your favorite pearl strand or try them in the hair! You’ll be ready for your close-up, and you might just become an It Girl yourself.