We often reference what a great destination the JA New York Shows are for obtaining “diamond essentials” that every jewelry enthusiast needs in their collection. And while we’re not diminishing the importance of diamond studs, diamond line bracelets, tennis necklaces and diamond hoops in any “proper” jewelry collection, with the Paris Olympics still on our minds, we’d be remiss if we didn’t give equal focus to another foundational adornment and indispensable component of any jewelry wardrobe—gold staples. From chunky gold links to delicate, layering pieces, gold has been used as a poignant form of personal self-expression for thousands of years and today, it continues to dominate the fashion zeitgeist. With the holidays just around the corner, retailers who want to ensure their cases are filled with sure fire best sellers should look to several JA New York’s designers and manufacturers who are leading the gold charge.
Chunky gold jewelry was popularized during the Retro Era, which ran from the mid 1930’s through the 1940’s, coinciding with World War II. Van Cleef & Arpels is often credited for starting the movement with designs they launched in 1935 in Paris and presented at the World’s Fair in New York City in 1939, sparking a global trend. With platinum unavailable for use in jewelry due to its use in the war effort, gold (and incidentally, big gemstones) became the metal du jour for use in fine jewelry designs.
In the decades since, a number of notable designers, brands and maisons have leaned into the warmth and malleability of gold for use in big, bold designs. David Webb, whose heyday spanned the late 50’s through the 70’s and was considered the “quintessential American designer,” boasted a slew of famous jewelry collectors like Elizabeth Taylor as clients with his large scale, gold pieces. Marina B, who passed away in February of this year, created big, bold pieces that catered to the new influx of women joining the work force in the early 1980’s with designs that were as unapologetic as the women who wore them, which included fashion icons such as Sophia Loren, Jackie O and Grace Kelly.
With the price of gold currently at an all-time high (as of this writing, the current price is $2,548.70 per ounce), contemporary designers and manufacturers are getting increasingly clever in creating big gold looks with less gold material. Hollow link chains and open work designs provide the illusion of a lavish use of the metal without the hefty price tag, while ingenuities in manufacturing can result in pieces that feel light as air on the body but pack a big aesthetic punch. Of course, antique and vintage designs, such as those showcased at long time JA New York exhibitor, Paris Stations, rarely keep pace with fluctuations in the price of gold, which means savvy shoppers can find jewelry that meets the demands of current trends without matching current gold prices.
Registration for the upcoming Fall show, taking place October 27-29 at the Jacob Javits Center, is now open. Whether looking for the latest designs or on the hunt for classics like gold link chains or stacks of bangles, JA New York allows qualified, motivated retailers the opportunity to stock up with gold staples and uniquely position their store as a go-to resource for building a fabulous jewelry wardrobe.
All Press Release and Market News credit by JA New York.
