Every once in a while, a person comes along, who touches your life in a special way.  No, I’m not referring to my proctologist; but rather those individuals who – simply for knowing them – have made your life better; whether for a positive outlook, and indefatigable spirit, an inextinguishable determination, an honest work-ethic, or whatever it is that makes that person click with you.

One such person, for me, was the designer, Scott Kay.  We met, roughly a decade ago, during the Couture show, at Wynn Las Vegas.  Within a week, I had joined the ranks of his extended family, and I was overwhelmed by his incredible zeal and zest for life, in addition to his jewelry, which was fresh and unique while being intrinsically wearable and of the highest quality. 

Scott taught me how the exquisite pieces he made in platinum and 18kt gold and diamonds weren’t always the end-all/be-all (which was news to me); and how important the “aspirational” pieces he created in gold vermeil, sterling silver, white sapphire, and black spinel were – from both a business and a creative standpoint.

When Scott passed, suddenly – at the age of 57 – last winter; like many, I was stunned.  It’s cliché to describe a person as “larger than life,” but sometimes the clichés are there for a reason, as Scott was just such a guy.

But Scott Kay wasn’t just a person: Scott Kay was, and is, a business.  A family business, that – though it has been sold – still has as its public face, a Kay; in particular, Scott’s daughter, Tiffany Kay (known to millions as the latest star of QVC, where she’s become all the rage, selling Scott Kay’s sterling silver collection).

So, it was with an optimistic bounce in my step (touched with a tinge of sadness) that I entered the Surf Ballroom at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, for Scott Kay: INSPIRED – a capsule retrospective that displays archival pieces from Scott’s personal collection, photos, and design sketches, in addition to the debut of the company’s new bridal collection.  Of course, this was the event that was kicking-off Jewelry Week, for me; and I’m glad that I’d decided to use it, as such – if for no other reason than it reminds me that even more important than the beautiful sparkling things I so love are the people who create them – oftentimes beautiful and sparkling, themselves.

So, now I’m headed back to Mandalay Bay to walk the Luxury show, with my heart a little heavy, but knowing that my life is indubitably better for having been inspired by Scott’s mottos (that are placed around the displays): “Be a positive force,” “Defy convention,” and “Never compromise.”

Scott Kay: INSPIRED
Luxury at JCK
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