Manufacturing executive Nilesh Chhabria delves into the trends visible at the recent JCK Las Vegas show on the latest episode of the Rapaport Diamond Podcast.
Footfall was down on last year, but the quality of buyers improved, said Chhabria, who is the chief operating officer at India-based polished producer Finestar Jewellery & Diamonds.
Chhabria and Rapaport’s Joshua Freedman discussed why large, elongated fancy diamonds were a strong category at the show, which ran from June 6 to 9.
They also addressed the gradual shift in demand back from lab-grown to natural, which many exhibitors reported at the show.
“There is still a place for lab-grown…but perhaps more for fashion and statement [jewelry],” Chhabria said. “But I think its position in fine jewelry is clearly under pressure.”
He also highlighted some of the standout events at the show, including Rapaport Chairman Martin Rapaport’s “State of the Diamond Industry” presentation and his interview with De Beers CEO Al Cook.
Listen to the podcast here:
This podcast is sponsored by Del Gatto Finance Fund, the largest non-bank lender to the global diamond and jewelry industry.
