Success With Jewelry Podcast – Episode 134 Summary

Title: Laryssa and Liz Spill the Tea on JCK & Couture 2025
Hosts: Laryssa Wirstiuk and Liz Kantner
Release Date: June 16, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 134 of the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosts Laryssa Wirstiuk and Liz Kantner delve into their experiences attending the prestigious JCK and Couture 2025 jewelry shows in Las Vegas. Combining their extensive expertise in jewelry marketing, they provide listeners with an insider's perspective on the latest trends, standout collections, and the overall atmosphere of these influential industry events.

Attending JCK and Couture Shows

Laryssa’s Schedule and Initial Impressions

Laryssa attended JCK on Friday, followed by Couture on Saturday and Sunday morning. Reflecting on her experience, she noted a subtle shift in the dynamics of the shows:

Laryssa [01:37]: “It seems mostly like business as usual out... it did seem like a teeny, tiny bit smaller... and a tiny bit less people. But again, I only have one day to base that on.”

Despite a slight decrease in attendance, Laryssa observed that the buyers present were more serious and intent on purchasing, which she viewed positively.

Liz’s Perspective

Liz echoed Laryssa’s sentiments, highlighting the vibrant energy and active shopping environment:

Liz [03:13]: “From afar, it seemed like people were out and shopping, and it seemed, like really good energy.”

Notable Designers and Standout Collections

Harwell Godfrey’s 1975-Inspired Collection

Liz was particularly impressed by Harwell Godfrey’s collection, which embraced a strong 1975 theme. She appreciated the designer’s commitment to a specific inspiration:

Liz [04:54]: “I loved that she leaned so hard into a theme and did this whole, like, 1975 inspired collection and just went all in with it.”

Unfortunately, Laryssa couldn’t capture Harwell’s story firsthand as no team members were present.

Vanessa Fernandez’s Unique Gemstones

Laryssa highlighted Vanessa Fernandez’s exceptional eye for gemstones, especially her use of vibrant and unique stones like neon yellow tourmaline:

Laryssa [06:12]: “She was telling me this crazy story about how she sourced a whole lot of this material from like some German company that's been like hoarding this yellow tourmaline in their vault and like, you can't find it anywhere.”

Susan from Circa 1700’s Sentiment-Infused Designs

Susan, representing Circa 1700, drew Laryssa’s attention with her Victorian-inspired pieces that carry sentimental value:

Laryssa [09:29]: “She grew up around her mom, collected like Native American indigenous jewelry... it's not just adornment. Like, it carries a message or it commemorates a person or a time or a place.”

Francesca Villa’s Whimsical and Movable Designs

Francesca Villa stood out for her whimsical approach and innovative movable components within her jewelry:

Laryssa [10:39]: “I was just so delighted by, like, her whimsical designs and also, like, the innovation that she brought especially into our newest collections that have, like, movement in them.”

Identified Trends at JCK & Couture 2025

1. Whimsy and Playfulness

Both hosts observed a significant trend towards whimsical and playful designs, incorporating unexpected elements into fine jewelry:

Liz [11:34]: “Whimsy was a huge thing. There was a lot of really fun jewelry and things that you would never think of would be in fine materials.”

2. Nostalgia and Sentimental Designs

Reflecting a broader cultural trend, many designers embraced nostalgic elements, creating pieces reminiscent of simpler times or childhood memories:

Liz [12:00]: “Things that were reminiscent of childhood or, like, simpler times.”

3. Movement and Interactive Elements

Jewelry with moving parts or interactive features gained popularity, adding a dynamic aspect to traditional pieces:

Liz [12:49]: “There were a lot of pieces that had some sort of moving element to it... I was seeing, like, edging towards locket.”

4. Celestial Themes

A celestial motif was prominently featured, with designs inspired by moons, stars, planets, and zodiac elements:

Larissa [15:47]: “Probably the one that stood out to me the most out of everything was celestial. That is so big.”

5. Alternative Materials and Unique Gemstones

Designers experimented with alternative materials and showcased unique gemstones, enhancing the exclusivity and appeal of their collections:

Laryssa [14:13]: “One thing that kept coming up was this, like, lemony yellow or even, like, a diamond yellow kind of color for new, like, a... as a neutral.”

6. Sculptural and Statement Pieces

Sculptural elements and statement pieces continued to be a staple, allowing designers to push the boundaries of traditional jewelry forms:

Liz [15:24]: “I also saw sculptural jewelry... something else I saw.”

7. Innovative Chains and Connectors

Unique chain designs with meaningful motifs, such as love knots, were prevalent, adding depth and sentiment to the jewelry:

Laryssa [14:44]: “They had a love knot situation going on. So even within the chain, there's some meaning and sentimentality.”

Community and Networking Insights

Strengthening Industry Relationships

Both hosts emphasized the importance of community within the jewelry industry. They reflected on long-standing relationships and the vast, diverse network that makes the industry so vibrant:

Liz [19:34]: “Couture is such an incredible show because there's just endless designers... you build these relationships that are just so lasting.”

Laryssa [19:42]: “It makes me feel like I need to get out there more and meet people and just, you know, hear their stories because it is such a vast, big, diverse industry.”

Future Attendance Plans

Laryssa expressed a desire to attend more shows in the future, aiming for a collective presence with the Success With Jewelry team:

Laryssa [20:16]: “I need to give a big shout out and thank you to Liz because she facilitated all of this for me, and it was my first couture...”

Liz [20:51]: “Maybe next year. 2026 success with jewelry team in Vegas.”

Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Encouragement and Gratitude

Laryssa and Liz concluded the episode by expressing gratitude towards their network and the support they received, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the jewelry community.

Engagement with Listeners

They invited listeners who attended the shows or have insights to share, fostering an interactive and inclusive community:

Liz [21:02]: “Were you at the Vegas shows or following along? Let us know. Visit successwithjewelry.com and if you love the podcast, we'd love to hear from you.”

Notable Quotes

• Laryssa [01:37]: “It did seem a tiny bit smaller to me. Tiny bit less people... the buyers present were more serious and intent on purchasing.”

• Liz [04:54]: “I loved that she leaned so hard into a theme and did this whole, like, 1975 inspired collection and just went all in with it.”

• Laryssa [06:12]: “She was telling me this crazy story about how she sourced a whole lot of this material from like some German company that's been like hoarding this yellow tourmaline in their vault...”

• Liz [12:00]: “Things that were reminiscent of childhood or, like, simpler times.”

• Larissa [15:47]: “Probably the one that stood out to me the most out of everything was celestial. That is so big.”

Conclusion

Episode 134 of Success With Jewelry offers a comprehensive and engaging look into the latest trends and noteworthy moments from JCK and Couture 2025. Laryssa and Liz provide valuable insights for jewelry designers and entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of creativity, community, and staying attuned to evolving market preferences. Whether you attended the shows or are looking to stay informed on industry developments, this episode delivers a wealth of information and inspiration.