The Lab Gem Supplier

The difficult economy has changed American’s spending habits. For the first time in decades, people are sticking to their budgets and putting extra money into savings instead of the latest “must have” electronic toy or computer gadget. In the fashion world, day-long trips to the mall are out. People are hunting bargains, cruising second-hand shops and making do with last year’s wardrobes. When they do buy, they’re shopping in discount stores and national chains, not tony high-end department stores or specialty shops. The same emphasis on frugality and bargains has hit the jewelry business. Expensive diamonds and natural gems are out. Cost-conscious Americans are turning to inexpensive high-quality cubic zirconia and lab-created gems. These laboratory-crafted cz gems have the same look as their pricey natural counterparts but not their expensive price tag.

Changing consumer habits are forcing fashion’s top designers to rethink their marketing strategies. Brand anchors at high-end department stores are no longer generating the sales income they once did. Venerable designers are moving their fashions to mainstream stores hoping to trade exclusivity for sales. After years in exclusive relationships with Macy’s, Sak’s, Nordstom’s and other A-list department stores, major fashion brands are seeking a whole new customer base with exclusive arrangements with B-list stores like JC Penney and Kohl’s. Chic Liz Claiborne recently announced it was moving its namesake brand from its long-time association with Macy’s to JC Penney. A mainstay at Sak’s for decades, Dana Buchman has reinvented its popular animal print fashions for a less worldly clientele at Kohl’s. Even discount stores Target, Wal-Mart and K-Mart are touting designer clothing lines and home fashions.

We don’t expect to see a Tiffany’s at Sears any time soon, but popular jewelry designers are following their fashion brethren into new territory. JC Penney, Kohl’s and other mainstream department stores have long offered quality costume jewelry. Even K-Mart sells diamonds. High quality, colored cubic zirconia is making it possible for them to offer consumers jewelry that looks expensive but won’t break the family budget.

In keeping with these trends, wholesaler PehnecGems has noticed an increase in the sale of quality loose cz and lab created gems to the jewelry fashion design and shoe industries. Interest in our cz closeouts, specials and discounts are high. View our selection of loose cz at our website at www.pehnec.com.