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This year was my very first time visiting the famous Tucson gem shows and I went straight to the top: to the crème de la crème of the colored gemstone and cultured pearl market at the legendary AGTA GemFair. I came into it expecting to have my mind blown, and even my high expectations were blown out of the water. The AGTA GemFair is a closed show, open only to gem dealers, store owners, designers and others in the jewelry industry, so the beauties that you’re about to see are from a show that the general public usually doesn’t get to experience at all – at least until the jewels displayed there turn up on celebrities or socialites or go back to the museums they came from. The reason I did my pre-AGTA GemFair post was so that I could dive right into the pretties in my recap without needing to take time for background.

I am so excited to predict the 2017 alternative bridal trends and suggest how you, as jewelers, can prepare for them! I believe we will continue to see very strong interest in blushy pink- peach shades, light icy blues to more classic royal blues, icy greens, and blue-greens, lavender and white sapphires. Sapphires of any color make great engagement rings, as they are nearly as durable as a diamond, and with a great cut, they will sparkle like one too. Interest is also developing for Spinel as an alternative bridal option because of its durability as well as its amazing refractive index.