The New Class at JCK
From heritage houses to experimental design, these first-time exhibitors are bringing fresh perspective to Las Vegas.
Visitors to the JCK Show expect its signature mix of standout exhibitors, memorable events, and robust educational programming. But it’s the unexpected that keeps attendees coming back. And JCK always delivers something new.
This year, that new element is a fresh class of first-time exhibitors, each bringing a distinct point of view. From heritage-driven high jewelry to experimental materials and deeply personal design, here are some newcomers to know before you hit the show floor.
Zayna Exports is a fifth-generation Indian jewelry house with roots dating back to 1896. Its no-limits approach to design results in one-of-a-kind, showstopping pieces. “Our aesthetic is not driven by trends, but by a legacy of sourcing, proportion, and detailing refined over generations,” says Kapil Nischal. Visitors to this newcomer can expect the unexpected, and prepare to be amazed—commercial jewelry, this is not.
“Our intention at JCK is to build long-term partnerships with retailers who appreciate design, rarity, and craftsmanship,” Nischal says. “We are not positioned for mass distribution; instead, we work closely with a few partners who value distinctiveness.”
While Zayna takes pride in each of its collections, Nischal says its large format diamond necklaces, crated with unconventional stone pairings and bold proportions, are a good representation of the brand’s most current work.
Taiwanese brand Haoyang Art Jewels also operates in the realm of high design, combining meticulous craftsmanship with the lightness of colored titanium. The result is jewelry that feels as effortless as it is technically impressive. “Through the pairing of unique structures and unexpected aesthetics, our pieces offer a transformative experience that bridges the gap between technical mastery and contemporary artistic rebellion,” says Steven (Hao-Yang) Lai, the brand’s creative director.
Visitors to the brand’s showcase can expect to experience its avant-garde jewelry work featuring titanium, a story HaoYang is eager to share. In support of its retailers, the brand will offer an exclusive retail package at JCK, featuring its most coveted pieces alongside a comprehensive titanium sales kit.
When asked about a standout design set to be on display, Lai offers the “Bamboo in Flame” earrings—an interpretation of the resilience of bamboo. “By mastering a once unattainable saturated verdant green through our proprietary anodizing process, we have created a high-contrast canvas for vibrant red coral and diamonds,” Lai says. “This piece perfectly distills our brand’s ethos: inspired by the organic forms of the past, while utilizing the technical breakthroughs of the future.”
Nature is central to the work of Arizona-based Wolfgang Vaatz. “My unique way of experiencing nature’s creations with all my senses while simultaneously understanding the processes behind them forms the foundation of my work,” Vaatz says. “In these moments I marvel at the purposefulness of nature’s processes and intrinsic beauty, driving my desire to create art. When making jewelry, I re-immerse myself in these experiences, which are then reflected in every landscape scene or abstract composition I create.”
Visitors will find each piece crafted in ethically sourced gold and silver, with hand-engraving, carving, and texturing. “Each piece is created to accompany life, bringing a sense of calm, strength, and deep connection to nature and within,” Vaatz says. “The content, message, and aesthetic of my jewelry are more relevant now than ever.”
While difficult for any designer to select just one piece they’re most proud of, Vaatz refers to the first successfully textured landscape pendant made, crafted in a way that appears to bring the water to life. “As the piece moves, the textured ripples catch and reflect the light, giving the impression that the river itself is flowing.”
Asheville, NC-based Q Evon Fine Jewelry will debut a new approach to birthstone jewelry that celebrates life and its meaningful moments, while maintaining an artisanal aesthetic by way of sculptural, artful creations.
“I’ve always said I would never do a birthstone collection—never say never,” says Suzanne Q. Evon, who goes by Q. “I’ve had to many clients ask me to adapt pieces form my colored stone collection for birthstone pieces. I’ve heard them called memory pieces, memorial pieces, push presents, and so on. I decided to do something fresh and almost bespoke, because you can choose any number of pieces or stones to make your own design. I am happy to report I’ve come up with a unique and modern take on these pieces, my collection called Origins by Q Evon.”
The brand, with a studio located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, originally saw its hand-textured designs carried exclusively in American Fine Craft galleries before selling in fine jewelry stores on small luxury cruise ships. Now, Evon says, its goal at JCK is to introduce its creations to new audiences. “I have an amazing team working with me in the studio—we have been together for more than 15 years,” Evon says. “Our aim is to strengthen the brand by adding more land-based accounts and to continue having fun and being productive while doing so.”
