The holiday season is the most important time of the year for retailers.  It’s a time when new trends emerge and when special (and sometimes low end) merchandise hits the stores.  Here are some trends to watch for  – or in some cases, to watch out for.

Holiday trend 1:  Man-made or lab grown diamonds   

Synthetic diamonds are everywhere now.  Expect to see more of them.  Even DeBeers is branding them and promoting the man-made diamonds available in many colors!

They are promoted as less expensive (as they should be) than earth mined diamonds.  Be sure to know what you’re buying. Some of these are being offered without disclosing that they are man-made.  And branding can make them actually more expensive per carat that earth mined diamonds.

Holiday Trend 2: Lower end/lesser quality/inexpensive trinkets 

It’s common for retailers to stock up on more inexpensive lines and feature these with a mix of higher quality items.  The low prices lure the customer and may be too tempting to resist.  Stick to your guns if you value quality and avoid being distracted with ‘lower priced’ merchandise.

Holiday Trend 3:  Pandora beads may make a seasonal comeback

This was a fashion fad that has faded, but during the holidays, you can expect to see these come back in their many variations.

These are fun for teenagers, but not really fine jewelry as there is no resale value.  Costume jewelry is not an investment.

Holiday Trend 4:  David Yurman candy colored enameled rings

Great fun and clients love the designer name.  Priced under $500, these rings make fun stocking stuffers.  Our preference is for vintage Yurman designs – heftier and worth their weight.  Generally, we wouldn’t appraise an item valued at less than $1000.  Keep in mind that high end brands often have a ‘popular’ line which makes the brand accessible to those with modest budgets.

Holiday Trend 5:  Pave Diamonds  

Our clients know how much we love diamonds!  Not only are no two natural diamonds alike, but no two manufacturers’ designs are alike.  There is great variation in the way diamonds are set that can affect the value.

We recommend examining the mountings under magnification to check for smooth and even prongs, level surfaces and of course, tiny nicks.  Pave diamonds should also be well matched for beauty and value.

Holiday Trend 6: Luxury Watches 

A watch is a timeless gift (couldn’t resist the pun)!  We caution our buyers to especially double check when spending thousands of dollars on a luxury fashion item.  Be sure your retailer is reliable especially if purchasing estate or pre-owned watches.  Even reputable jewelers can make mistakes.

We have found numerous ‘hybrid’ watches that are assembled from various after- market components such as a diamond bezel or replacement crystal faces.  These ‘hybrids’ may be attractive, but they will certainly not be as valuable as an all original  luxury watch.

Whatever your selection for holiday shopping, don’t forget to verify your purchase with a Jewelry Judge consultation. Convenient appointments Book On-Line – walk-ins available at www.jewelryjudgebengordon.com or call 713 961-1432.

Happy Shopping!