By Rachel Garrahan
The Jewellery Editor joins you today from the bright lights of the Nevada desert on the first day of the Couture Show Las Vegas.
America's most talked-about jewelry show, its mission is to showcase the most creative and original gems from around the world, and we will be bringing you our pick of the most spectacular jewels being unveiled.
Read more about what to expect from the Couture Show Las Vegas
This year, the show is celebrating its 20th anniversary - one appropriately marked by that precious metal platinum - and some attendees, such as designer Todd Reed, have been coming ever since Couture launched in Newport Beach, California, in 1995.
Despite the anniversary, the organizers are not resting on their laurels and more than 50 brands are making their Couture debut this year. We will be enjoying the dramatic creations of Jewellery Theatre, the fashion-forward glamour of Venyx and Spinelli Kilcollin, and the unique beauty of the vintage diamonds at Single Stone.
Lynn Ban, whose fierce, high jewelry pieces are beloved by pop divas Beyoncé and Rihanna, and whose pearl ear cuff was worn by model Doutzen Kroes on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet last week, will also be exhibiting for the first time.
London-based CompletedWorks is bringing its architectural and cerebral approach to jewelry design Stateside, with the new Dystopia high jewelry collection, inspired by Max Ernst and designer Anna Jewsbury's childhood nightmares. Also featuring at the Couture Show Las Vegas will be CompletedWorks signature Pillar collection, with its beautifully fractured column rings.
Couture will also be introducing a host of new luxury watches from brands including Tudor, Hermes, TAG Heuer, and Baume et Mercier.
On Saturday evening, our very own Maria Doulton will be among the judges deciding which gems will take home one of Couture's coveted Design Awards. Her fellow judges are designer Irene Neuwirth, journalist and founder of The Adventurine, Marion Fasel, and veteran US jewelry retailers Paul Schneider (Twist) and Lou Guarino (Louis Anthony Jewelers).
Stay tuned for coverage of the most original, diverse and beautiful jewels from the Couture Show Las Vegas.