One Crowded Room Where It's Okay to Shout "Fire!"

(08/08/2010)

Team GMC hard at work

Today was just exhausting, because not only did I have both Jacob and my Mom, in town; but it was the first day of the twice-annual ASD/AMD Trade Show. The ASD/AMD (Associated Surplus Dealer/Associated Merchandise Dealer) Show hits Las Vegas twice each year (usually in March and August), and is the largest variety, discount, and general merchandise show in the US, with thousands of wholesalers peddling their wares in categories including Value & Variety, International Sourcing, China Brand, Style & Beauty, Gift & Toy, and Jewelry. (I dare you to guess which category brings me to this convention, twice a year!)

GMC always knows what the time is!

This past year, things got shaken-up a bit, when the Jewelry Show, historically held (apart from the rest of the fray) in the Mirage Convention Center was (in an effort to keep everything under one roof) moved first to Sands Convention Center, and then to the Las Vegas Convention Center (where it is currently being held, through August 10th). I have to say, I was pretty impressed with the new digs at LVCC. Parking was a breeze, the food was brow-raisingly good (sandwiches made at a live carving station with turkey, pork, and beef!), and there were even interactive touch-screen display signs where you could find the quickest path to the exhibitor you were seeking.

Of the 3,500 companies exhibiting, we pretty much spent the entirety of our nine hours at the booths of two.

ASD/AMD Display Case at GMC International

Display Case at the GMC International booth

Have you ever been to a jewelry auction at Christie’s or Sotheby’s where items are listed as “Property of a Lady” and wondered who ends-up with the lots that don’t sell right then-and-there? Well, welcome to the wonderful world of GMC International. Run by husband-and-wife team Leon and Andrea Remonko, GMC is always the first and last stop of the day for any seasoned jewelry buff seeking the best large loose stones (read: big diamonds) as well as the finest new and estate pieces from brands like Van Cleef & Arpels, Damiani, DiModolo, Zydo, Harry Winston, Bulgari, David Webb, Roberto Coin, Gerald Genta, Carrera y Carrera, Patek Philippe, Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Piaget, Verdura, Audemars Piguet, deGrisogono, Chanel, Rolex, Corum and Chopard.

As luck would have it, I not only acquired Jacob’s engagement ring from Leon, but just today found one for myself! (Nothing too flashy, mind you - but I knew the moment I saw it that it needed to be on my finger!) You don’t need to be a girl to count diamonds among you best friends when you’ve got GMC in your corner!

Necklace of 145cts of natural colored rough diamonds and faceted white diamonds set in 18kt gold

Meanwhile, as anyone who’s seen me out-and-about in the past few years can attest, I’ve become a huge fan of Indian jewelry. That said, I was still reeling from the recent news that my go-to peeps in this arena, Hari Jewels, would not be exhibiting at this show. So color me so delighted to have found Maharaja Jewels.

One of a kind pendant of Lord Krishna and Radha rendered in bas-relief in 35g of 18kt gold with 4cts of mine-cut diamonds and a cabochon ruby

Turns-out that owner Paras Jain recognized my mother from when he’d sold her some pieces a few years back, and we got to talking. Well, it seems that he and Hari proprietor Anand Jain share more than the same last name, and they go way back. Actually, not only do they live in the same building in Fort Greene (Brooklyn), but they have offices in the same building on West 47th Street. Go figure!

ASD/AMD Display case at the Maharaja Jewels booth2
Display case at the Maharaja Jewels booth

Link necklace with 92.40cts of diamonds set in sterling silver

With his bona fides securely in place, I proceeded to snatch-up a bunch of stuff from Paras, including a fabulous necklace in turquoise, cognac diamonds, and 18kt yellow gold with a matching “evil eye” ring (both of which I plan to wear to the Human Rights Campaign gala at month’s end, along with a matching brooch I acquired from GMC), as well as a terrific cuff of woven sterling silver topped with an Aum (ॐ) made from pave diamonds, and a cool bracelet of turquoise beads that I got for Jacob.

Of course, I’m just a small-potatoes buyer, and it’s with their one-of-a-kind collection pieces that GMC and Maharaja (and Hari) really shine – or sparkle, as the case may be. I could go on and on, but I find that in times like these, it’s best to let the images do the talking.

ASD Las Vegas 2010
Las Vegas Convention Center
August 8th – 10th