Sin City reflections

We’ve been back in New York for about a week, giving me time to (somewhat) catch up on rest and reflect on my time at market week in Las Vegas. This trip was not only my first time at market week but also my first trip to Las Vegas, which meant that my to-do list of things to eat, see and visit was pretty extensive. While I didn’t get to do everything on my list (here’s looking at you, High Roller), I had an amazing time while I was there. The best thing that continues to come out of these work trips for me, besides the education, is getting to see more brands, designers and jewelry, meeting people in person that I’ve been emailing for a while and meeting tons of wonderful new people. I am constantly in awe of the passion, dedication and energy that seems to pervade the industry. By day in Las Vegas, I was going on a few appointments of my own at the shows as well as accompanying both Hannah and Michelle on theirs. Nothing beats getting to see the jewelry in person and trying it on, and Las Vegas provided that opportunity in spades. Here are a few of my favorite pieces from the trip. Starting top left and moving clockwise: Pamela Froman, Octium, Omi Privé, and Oscar Heyman

Brecken Branstrator brecken.branstrator@nationaljeweler.com

By night, we were rockin’ to Janelle Monáe at the Wynn, celebrating exceptional jewelry design, marking the launch of National Jeweler’s new antique newsletter… and many, many more things.

Here are some things I learned on my first trip to Las Vegas and my first time attending market week--a few related to jewelry, a few random musings.

1. Do not enter JCK without a map or notes. I may have gotten turned around once or twice (OK, OK, it was more than that) thinking that I would be able to look up a booth number and then be able to find it without a hitch.

2. Do not lose your chapstick halfway through the trip and think that you’ll be able to make it through the arid Vegas air without it. It will not make things easier on you, and it will later prevent you from finishing a perfectly delicious salad for dinner one night because your lips can’t take any more of the vinaigrette dressing.

3. Walking the Strip with coworkers and friends is a great way to see the most of Las Vegas right away. But keep in mind that it is a little over four miles long, so if you walk most of it in your I’m-so-happy-to-be-here-I-could-walk-all-night excitement, you will be tired by the end of it and probably be feeling it the next day.

4. Yes, the Bellagio fountains are touristy, and yes, they are as cool as you’d think and worth the stop to watch. I recommend Mon Ami Gabi across the street at the Paris--a great front-row view while you eat great food.

5. I will never stop loving huge cocktail rings. I think it’s so appropriate that my beat since joining the National Jeweler team has become colored gemstones, since color is right up my alley and most of what I’m most attracted to are gemstone statement pieces. The bigger the stone, the better.

6. Market week provides the perfect opportunity to explore new and old jewelry. In addition to bouncing around Couture and JCK, Michelle and I spent some time at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch show, which is now owned by the same company as National Jeweler. Seeing both types of jewelry gives you an appreciation for what goes into both, and we even met an exhibitor who had a special interest in mourning jewelry.

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That’s what I love about these tradeshows--we’re always learning something.

I hope everyone had a successful market week! Thanks to all who helped make mine so memorable.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.