Scenes from JCK 2008

[John P]

That's all I have. Good times and good people. Appreciate everyone who was there, those pictured these last few pages and some who were incognito too, for making it fun and productive.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

As usual, always a pleasure!

cheers--Sharon

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/6/2008 5:59:52 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

As usual, always a pleasure!

cheers--Sharon

Ditto - I have really enjoyed this thread, thank you so much John!

 

[John P]

I promised myself to thank the ladies for holding still for those hand shots (hard in low light). Next time I''ll bring a mini-tripod.

Also, this year’s Rapaport “State of the Industry” was pretty intense. If you’re interested in economics, diamond pricing and the future some info is posted here.

 

[John P]

You're welcome ladies (and gents of course).

I see some questions on the last page and I will certainly come back to answer later on. For now I did want to follow up with something Ira alluded to:

Hangout readers… I saw this thread/poll. Things may already be in-motion, but if you were to plan your “big get-together” in Vegas directly prior-to or coinciding with JCK in a future year (in 2009 that is May 28 – June 3) it could be groov-tastic. You would definitely have some pros around if you wanted to put up with us. The whole strip area is geared towards hosting one of the largest jewelry events of the year at that time. Sounds like good PSer weather to me.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 6/6/2008 5:48:26 PM
Author: John Pollard
Here is Garry - showing the diameter of the next diamond he’s getting Drena!

(Drena, you owe me for this).

I am saying piccolo, petite, smaller, less.......

Drena is hunting for you John, she is not happy

She may even bring you back a terrorist fish!

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Hey Garry,

No need to threaten John, just a few weeks before ...

Live long,

 

[Ellen]

Thanks for the pics John!! Looks like you all had a great time, lucky ducks.

 

[John P]

Date: 6/4/2008 1:28:12 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 6/4/2008 12:19:13 PM
Author: John Pollard
Jim demonstrated that the ASET Cam works on mounted stones as well as loose.

kicken!
Another excuse for not providing them down the drain.

I agree. It's funny to watch people go by the booth. More and more stop in to ask about it each year. This camera/monitor setup captured a lot of attention. In fact, as we were putting the rings of Lieve and one of our US dealers on the scope to see how it worked on mounted gems a crowd gathered. Logically most "jewelry pros" in the mainstream are dealing with mounted jewelry.

The problem is that, considering how many average cuts look, most jewelry pros might prefer not to have ideal-scope, ASET, the PGS etc. in their stores. The (slow but steady) answer to that is continued education and consumers coming in making requests.

 

[John P]

Date: 6/4/2008 3:46:25 PM
Author: Skippy123

Great company, good food, and diamonds; looks like a blast!!!! I am sure we all wish we were there with you all, having a great time

hehe

Okay John, Oh be-HAYVE!

I love it. Now I want to hear you say the names of every planet in the same accent. Start with Mercury and no jokes about Uranus.

 

[John P]

Date: 6/4/2008 4:28:00 PM
Author: DiaGem

Hi John..., thanks for the insight..., looks like you all had a blast..., did you guy's work? or just fun?

Whats your impression of the WGI?

Well Las Vegas is such a dreary place DG, it was hard to conjure excitement and something to do. But we put forth a yeoman's effort and managed.

WGI is the Sport of the Arts. It's fantastic. I've been to Dayton the world championships several times and sometimes judge the local circuits. I love WGI!

Oh wait, you mean the lab.

I would not presume to develop an impression without getting some experience and seeing a realistic sample - but I think highly of Barak Green and look forward to learning more.

 

[JulieN]

John, have you seen the Vic Firth Mario Batali pepper mill?

 

[John P]

Date: 6/8/2008 9:08:21 PM
Author: JulieN
John, have you seen the Vic Firth Mario Batali pepper mill?

Yes, the mills at Bouchon Julie! Sounds like you spied them too.

I insisted on passing the Vic Firth mill around our table with an explanation. They gave us VF and Peugeot and I battled my Belgian friends to assert VF supremacy.

Here is my personal shaker and mill set (Banton). I'm getting laser-engraved mills for my groomsmen.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 6/8/2008 7:10:54 PM
Author: John Pollard

Date: 6/4/2008 3:46:25 PM
Author: Skippy123

Great company, good food, and diamonds; looks like a blast!!!! I am sure we all wish we were there with you all, having a great time

hehe

Okay John, Oh be-HAYVE!

I love it. Now I want to hear you say the names of every planet in the same accent. Start with Mercury and no jokes about Uranus.

John, I won't make any promises I can't keep, LOL! I could probably get halfway there without laughing though

 

[Harleigh]

Thanks for sharing, John!

You always supply us with fantastic knowledge and great insight each time you post!

Great pictures, and it looks like you had a great time!

 

[arjunajane]

Whew! I''m glad somebody got that.
John


Of course !

And I really enjoyed the rest of your posts and photos too - thankyou for sharing John!

 

[JulieN]

Date: 6/8/2008 10:15:02 PM
Author: John Pollard

Date: 6/8/2008 9:08:21 PM
Author: JulieN
John, have you seen the Vic Firth Mario Batali pepper mill?

Yes, the mills at Bouchon Julie! Sounds like you spied them too.

I insisted on passing the Vic Firth mill around our table with an explanation. They gave us VF and Peugeot and I battled my Belgian friends to assert VF supremacy.

Here is my personal shaker and mill set (Banton). I''m getting laser-engraved mills for my groomsmen.

I''ve heard Peugeot to make very nice mills.

That will make a great present for your groomsmen!

Did you guys totally geek out, comparing the grinds?

 

[John P]

Date: 6/6/2008 2:10:59 PM
Author: Moko
Hi John,
Great pictures!!
I always enjoyed reading your post, but your report on JCK was fantastic and so interesting. I am getting more and more interested in Jewelry industries. I am so lucky that I found PS. I would never had a chance to know real professional people in jewelry industries like you and others. Also I would never have a chance to see the scenes of JCK! It looks like you all had such fun! I love everyone’s happy face here. Thank you for sharing.

Hi Moko,

You''re very kind and I wanted to say that I enjoy your posts. You come off as genuine and enthusiastic. It''s nice to have you on PS.

 

[John P]

Just catching up on some posts I missed on p3 and p4.

It really was fun watching some of the first JCK-ers. Rob from Antwerp was just google-eyed at the whole Vegas presentation. I think once you've been there a few times it becomes background noise but he was shaking his head in disbelief. I started considering the scene and refreshed my awareness... Distinguished men in suits, stern Hasidics & business-smart women w/ briefcases, laptops and badges bumping through the flashing lights and ringing bells of the Casinos at 9AM, a-mingle with cocktail skirts, pit bosess, bachelor parties, overlaughers and happy drinkers. Maybe Rob was the only sane one.

And PS ladies - thanks for all the comments. However I forced the women at my dinner table to hold terribly still for a few hand shots to appease you. Was it the right thing to do? Isn't that what you want? I hope you know I am not a "hand shot" guy so thems warn't fer me!

 

[John P]

Date: 6/9/2008 2:27:50 PM
Author: JulieN

I've heard Peugeot to make very nice mills.

That will make a great present for your groomsmen!

Did you guys totally geek out, comparing the grinds?

The Belgians fancied Peugeot. Lieve and I compared the grinds and argued, but it was like irresistable force meets immovable object in two languages, so we switched to discussing wine.

You'll appreciate this: Three of the guys standing up for me are on staff with the Blue Devils. They're leaving tour for the wedding. Forever and a day Vic Firth has been the outfitter for BD's drumline...but this year they switched to ProMark (don't get me started). I'm still a VF artist so the gift to my boys has a double meaning, in kind of a loving Tony Soprano way.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 6/9/2008 7:34:59 PM
Author: John Pollard

And PS ladies - thanks for all the comments. However I forced the women at my dinner table to hold terribly still for a few hand shots to appease you. Was it the right thing to do? Isn't that what you want? I hope you know I am not a 'hand shot' guy so thems warn't fer me!

Yes, yes, that is what we want, thank you

and it is also nice to see everyones lovely face.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/9/2008 7:34:59 PM
Author: John Pollard

And PS ladies - thanks for all the comments. However I forced the women at my dinner table to hold terribly still for a few hand shots to appease you. Was it the right thing to do? Isn''t that what you want? I hope you know I am not a ''hand shot'' guy so thems warn''t fer me!

Sure John, you prolly have a hand fetish and are just blaming it all on us.

Yes, we love the pics!! And I love your gift to your groomsmen, very unique!