With Las Vegas Market Week fast approaching, retail jewelers are spending a last couple of days examining their inventory and fine-tuning their shopping lists.

While fill-in staples such as bridal, diamond solitaire pendants and anniversary bands are sure to make the cut, buyers are likely to hone in on two other specific merchandise categories: the high-end couture sector and the entry-level price-point arena.

Recent reports in the press, combined with market surveys, point out that activity has been returning at the very high end of the market. It's good news, but still, that is just the very tip-top of the market and many consumers remain cautious about spending.

To catch the mainstream consumer demographic with price points they feel comfortable with--and with margins that add up at the counter--retailers at the Vegas shows are likely to continue stocking up on pieces that provide a good value prospect, including designs crafted from the metal that has become the talk of the year: silver.

According to National Jeweler's exclusive Profit Margins Survey, to be released in our June issue, sterling silver jewelry topped more than 30 categories, including diamond jewelry and colored stone jewelry, as the leading margin-maker for retail jewelers.

It's not just the margins or price points that are proving attractive, though. Designers throughout the industry have challenged their skills, experimented with metalworking techniques and expanded their offerings to offer a plethora of breathtaking baubles.

Dressed up with diamonds, roughed up with oxidization and texturing or presented in sleek, sculptural form, the silver jewelry slated for Vegas Market Week captivates all around.