Headlines

The Big Jewelry Firms Left This Major Trade Show — Will They Ever Be Back?

Published

8 years ago

September 13, 2016

This year four “relatively young, contemporary” jewelry houses are exhibiting.

Cartier and a host of other major brands, from Chanel to Bulgari, decided to sit out this year’s Biennale des Antiquaires trade show, which began over the weekend in Paris. And now the New York Times is asking: Will they be back? The companies’ decisions not to participate were thought to have stemmed from moves by organizers to deemphasize the jewelry houses’ presence in favor of antique dealers. The newspaper reported on Sept. 11 that the event was opening with just four “relatively young, contemporary jewelry houses” alongside the antique dealers. They are Nirav Modi of India, Cindy Chao of Taiwan and De Grisogono and Boghossian of Switzerland. Of the jewelry companies that are not participating, most declined to comment or did not respond to the Times. But one — Boucheron — indicated that conversations are underway with a look toward that firm possibly participating in 2017. The evolution of the marketplace may be diminishing the jewelry houses’ perceived need to exhibit at Biennale des Antiquaires, the Times notes. Private events, social media and various international art fairs all provide channels to connect with customers.

Read more at the New York Times

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”