News flash: The JCK show is kicking off June 6. It’s a must-attend event for anyone with a stake in the jewelry business, whether you’re a supplier, buyer, or someone who simply needs to stay abreast of industry products and trends.
One of the best things about the 33-year-old show is how dynamic it is. Below, Sarin Bachmann, senior vice president of the jewelry portfolio at RX, the show organizer, highlights the new and noteworthy events and activations that promise to make the 2025 edition one to remember.
“Our theme this year is Decades,” Bachmann tells JCK. “We’re paying homage to the past, present, and future of the jewelry industry and immersing attendees in experiences that showcase this throughout the show.”
JCK Through the Decades
“From the moment you step into the JCK registration area, you’ll be immersed in an earlier decade of the 20th century, the 1920s,” Bachmann says. “Last year, with the Love theme, we had the Elvis chapel and this year it’ll be Flappers & Fizz, an activation with Roaring ’20s flappers, music from the ’20s, and, of course, Champagne sponsored by V&A Group. We’re offering a glass of Champagne from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday to Sunday.
“We have our badge ribbon tower where the JCK milestone ribbons of past years were,” she adds. “You can pick up a ribbon from the different decades—I’m a ’90s baby or Gen Z. Then throughout the show floor, all our lounges will be themed this way as well. We’ll have a Y-3000 Lounge, sponsored by BLNG and MadeTruly, which will showcase a revolutionary and innovative technology that allows anyone from professional designers to new creators to design jewelry with BLNG’s AI Creative Suite.
“The 1970s lounge is sponsored by Labon,” Bachmann adds. “It’s retro and has a groovy ’70s photo opp wall. And we’ll have a Year 2000 Lounge, where you can grab a flip phone and pose for a photo in our Y2K Snapshot Photo Booth activation.”
The Return of Show Floor Favorites
The puppies are back! Last year’s “Puppy Love” activation has transformed into “Time With Puppies,” a two-hour window on Sunday, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., when a pack of pups will help showgoers lower their stress. Puppy Love, the group that organizes pooch-related wellness experiences, will donate 20% of proceeds to their partners at local rescues (the donation’s on JCK!).
The Plumb Club on Level 2 has a brand new bistro café making its debut at JCK, Bachmann says. Open to all attendees, the space offers showgoers refreshments amid a plush environment, the perfect mid-show pit stop.
Upgrades at the Venetian Hotel and Expo
The Venetian Expo is fresh off a $188 million renovation. Level 2 of the Expo, home to the Luxury ballrooms, boasts brand-new carpet and painted walls—”lovely for everyone experiencing Luxury,” Bachmann says.
The updated look and feel includes new digital signage that “allows our brands and designers to showcase their ads on huge, awesome screens,” she says. “You’ll be immersed in their creations before you even get on the show floor.”
The show’s digital experience includes another important upgrade. “We have new digital technology, Colleqt Scan & Save, designed to make it much easier for attendees to get brand and exhibitor information,” Bachmann says. “At the end of each day, you get a summary of anyone whose booth QR code you scanned. You can scan as you walk past a booth you like and those you have met with to keep track of all and learn more about some you may not have time to meet with. It lessens the need for business cards to be exchanged as well.”
JCK Talks’ Best-in-Class Education
The education experience at JCK is designed for newcomers and show veterans alike. From a lineup of introductory 101 sessions on Thursday, June 5, to the addition of new tracks on the Showcase Stage—including an “AI & Innovation” track scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, a Customer Experience track at 3 p.m., and a Professional Development track at 4 p.m.—the learning available to showgoers is considered to be the best in the biz.
One change to keep in mind: “On Sunday, the Social Stage becomes the Sustainability Stage,” Bachmann says. “Last year, we hosted the Sustainability Summit the day before the show, and now it’s moving to Sunday on the show floor.”
And don’t forget to set your alarms for Saturday morning’s keynote. Shark Tank’s Daymond John will give the keynote address, which will focus on his five “Shark Points” for success. “The doors open at 7:30 a.m. and the keynote starts at 8 a.m.,” says Bachmann, adding that the event is sponsored by De Beers. “It’s an opportunity for people to hear from De Beers and then an inspirational celebrity business expert.”
Awards Program Leads With Brand-New Prize From Kering
On Saturday, June 7, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on the Showcase Stage on Level 2, Kering—the Paris-based luxury group that owns Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, McQueen, Boucheron, and Pomellato, among others—is introducing a new award, in collaboration with CIBJO and Poli.Design, called the Kering Generation Award X Jewelry.
“This initiative, the first of its kind, aims to recognize and support emerging talent who excel in sustainable design and jewelry-making, fostering a global community committed to shaping a more responsible future for the sector,” according to Kering.
Schmooze with executives from Kering at the cocktail reception to follow.
But wait—there’s more. The Jose Hess Design Awards are taking place Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Design Collective Lounge. “It’s really a full-circle moment,” Bachmann says. “Jose Hess was such a big part of our show for so many years. And now his legacy continues.”
Last but not least, the Jewelers’ Choice Awards are returning to the Design Collective Lounge, on Friday from 3 to 4 p.m.
Name Changes and New Exhibitor Alerts!
The phrase mine-to-market is taking on new meaning thanks to the show’s efforts to spotlight mining companies and allow them to connect directly with retailers. Beginning this year, Anglo American, De Beers’ owner, will have a presence at the show in an area called Anglo’s Diamond Potential, located between the Natural Diamond pavilion and the Design Collective. Botswana, represented by the Okavango Diamond Company, will also take a large presence in a new booth in the heart of the show floor on Level 2.
“There are so many new mines popping up and existing ones poised for growth,” Bachmann says. “They haven’t all had a presence at our show before and now we’re giving them that opportunity. We look to expand upon this area even further in 2026 with smaller mines from countries not previously represented from around the globe.”
Diamond buyers, take note: The area formerly known as Diamond Plaza has been renamed Natural Diamonds and is sponsored by the Natural Diamond Council.
And fans of the international jewelry scene, breathe easy. The international pavilions, including Italy and Hong Kong, will be back in full force, with a majority of their exhibitors, Bachmann says.
Finally, look for some familiar names from around the jewelry world to showcase their wares at JCK for the first time this year. They include German fashion jewelry brand Thomas Sabo, artisan jewelry manufacturer Jai, men’s jewelry maker Manly Bands, and fashion jewelry newcomer Lovechild, Snoop Dogg’s brainchild, in partnership with Metal Alchemist and Gamma, among others for you to discover. The Design Collective, once home to David Yurman, houses rising stars, established designers, and everything in between—you may very well stumble on the next industry superstar here!
JCK PRO Perks Expand
It pays to be a JCK PRO member. Members receive an upgraded badge at registration that entitles them to a dedicated registration/hotel concierge contact, access to specially held discounted hotel rooms (while supplies last), a dedicated business center on the show floor, VIP entry to JCK Rocks, discounts on JCK After Hours events, preferred seating at keynotes, and more.
Luxury Keynotes Highlight Innovation
Guests of the Luxury show, which opens Wednesday, June 4, have a treat in store. That morning’s keynote, sponsored by Hearts On Fire, is by Duncan Wardle, former head of innovation and creativity at Disney, while Thursday’s keynote speaker, sponsored by De Beers Group, is Tarek El Moussa, star of HGTV shows including The Flip Off and Flipping 101. “He’ll be talking about flipping the odds, and his journey of resilience,” Bachmann says.
“Also new for Luxury is a Brella appointment-setting app to help retailers connect and make their appointments,” she adds. “And a new embroidery activation station at the Luxury lobby bar on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can embroider the Luxury/Uneek bag you get at registration. And we have some exciting new and returning exhibitors: Wolf, Al Zain, Hueb, Andre Messika Luxury Group, Shiva Designs, and David Heston Designs.”
JCK By Night
Once the sun sets in Sin City, the show social scene goes into high gear. To help attendees network during their off hours, the show has a new program, appropriately titled JCK After Hours.
“We know there are so many events during JCK but most are invitation-only,” Bachmann says. “We wanted to find a way to bring people together to network, inexpensively, on Friday and Saturday nights. Friday night is at the Rosina cocktail lounge from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday is at Gatsby’s [in Resorts World] from 6:30 to 8:30. You have to buy tickets in advance—you can buy just an entry ticket or add an open bar package to the ticket. PRO members get a 20% discount. And 10 or more people can get a 25% discount (use codes ATTENDEE25 and EXHIBITOR25).”
The JCK show’s tried and true events—the Diamonds Do Good gala on Thursday, the Plumb Club gala on Saturday, and the Le Vian fashion show and Facets/Jewelers for Children event on Sunday—are back, as is the show’s signature Sunday-night event, JCK Rocks, which this year features two blockbuster entertainers: R&B/pop artist Jason Derulo and hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg, sponsored by Lovechild by Metal Alchemist x Gamma, at Tao Beach and Tao Nightclub. Capacity is limited but we are giving JCK PRO members and sponsors priority entrance, but only sponsors (who arrive before the show starts) are guaranteed entry.
Pro Tips for Navigating the Show
“To avoid registration lines, the registration area will open on Wednesday and will stay open from 8 a.m. til 8 p.m. on Thursday,” Bachmann says. “I strongly suggest pre-registering and sending in your documents until approved, and picking up your badge on Wednesday or Thursday to avoid the lines Friday morning.”
Hong Kong has confirmed its presence at a similar size to last year. Don’t forget that the Hong Kong and AGTA/Gems pavilions open Thursday, the same day that education kicks off.
“We have a Career Connections zone, sponsored by CAZA Connect. We’ll host valuable workshops and sessions covering topics such as recruitment, marketing, employee retention, job description creation, and more! We also have our Headshot Studio, sponsored by JD&Co., coming back, where people can get free headshots, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.”
Last but not least, be sure to follow the show, @jckevents, on Instagram, Facebook, and/or LinkedIn, or “whatever your favorite platform is,” Bachmann says. “It’s a really great way to be in the know of what’s happening and see all the new exciting announcements!”
Top: The 2024 JCK show on opening day (photo by Camilla Sjodin)
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