Events & AwardsJan 06, 2022
92Y Is Resuming Its Jewelry Artist ResidencyEvents & AwardsJan 13, 2022
Meet the Winner of the 2021 Wag Award
The Edge Retail Academy gives the annual honor to a store that demonstrates business excellence.
Dana Friedman, owner of Petite G Jewelers, is the recipient of the fourth annual Wag Award.
New York—Jewelry business consultancy Edge Retail Academy has named the recipient of its annual award for independent retailers.
Petite G Jewelers has been awarded the 2021 William (Wag) Wagner Business Excellence Award.
Owned by Dana Friedman, Petite G Jewelers has served Indianapolis for more than 20 years, becoming the area’s premiere boutique jewelry store.
It specializes in curated estate jewels, one-of-a-kind fashion pieces, and bridal jewelry.
ERA President David Brown said, “Dana diligently embraced strategies and recommendations from her Edge Retail Academy Business Advisor that allowed her to increase sales by 31 percent, raise gross profit by 40 percent and even increase her gross margin by 3.3 percent.”
ERA Business Advisor Charleen Pfaff explained, “Petite G focused on inventory management; the store achieved its optimum inventory level, including reducing aged inventory by $120,000.”
Friedman said ERA helped Petite G Jewelers achieve its goals through “sharpening our inventory mix” and “creative store events.”
She said, “Charleen provided us with sales team development and training, which led to an engaged team, and helped grow our revenue significantly.”
Now in its fourth year, ERA gives the Wag Award to a business that has achieved exceptional growth in the past year.
It is named in honor of a former ERA Business Advisor, William (Wag) Wagner, who died in 2018.
Brown said, “The Award has two goals: (1) to acknowledge business excellence from independent retailers and (2) to honor the memory of long serving ERA Business Advisor William (Wag) Wagner, whose service, loyalty and advice went well beyond the expectations of our clients, his work colleagues and our company.”
Petite G Jewelers received a check for $1,000.
Last year’s Wag Award recipient was Falls Jewelers in Concord, North Carolina.
Related stories will be right here …
Petite G Jewelers has been awarded the 2021 William (Wag) Wagner Business Excellence Award.
Owned by Dana Friedman, Petite G Jewelers has served Indianapolis for more than 20 years, becoming the area’s premiere boutique jewelry store.
It specializes in curated estate jewels, one-of-a-kind fashion pieces, and bridal jewelry.
ERA President David Brown said, “Dana diligently embraced strategies and recommendations from her Edge Retail Academy Business Advisor that allowed her to increase sales by 31 percent, raise gross profit by 40 percent and even increase her gross margin by 3.3 percent.”
ERA Business Advisor Charleen Pfaff explained, “Petite G focused on inventory management; the store achieved its optimum inventory level, including reducing aged inventory by $120,000.”
Friedman said ERA helped Petite G Jewelers achieve its goals through “sharpening our inventory mix” and “creative store events.”
She said, “Charleen provided us with sales team development and training, which led to an engaged team, and helped grow our revenue significantly.”
Now in its fourth year, ERA gives the Wag Award to a business that has achieved exceptional growth in the past year.
It is named in honor of a former ERA Business Advisor, William (Wag) Wagner, who died in 2018.
Brown said, “The Award has two goals: (1) to acknowledge business excellence from independent retailers and (2) to honor the memory of long serving ERA Business Advisor William (Wag) Wagner, whose service, loyalty and advice went well beyond the expectations of our clients, his work colleagues and our company.”
Petite G Jewelers received a check for $1,000.
Last year’s Wag Award recipient was Falls Jewelers in Concord, North Carolina.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SurveysJul 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JuneFalling oil prices were a factor in the slight month-over-month improvement.
CollectionsJul 01, 2026
Rio Grande Launches First Finished Bridal CollectionThe new offering comprises more than 120 bridal and engagement ring styles with natural and lab-grown diamonds.
WatchesJul 01, 2026
Rolex Unveils Clock at Rockefeller CenterThe clock is part of the celebration for the soon-to-open Rolex headquarters on New York City’s Fifth Avenue.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
IndependentsJul 01, 2026
Kristen Cannon of Valobra Master Jewelers Dies at 49The public relations professional is remembered for her benevolent generosity and unwavering commitment to those around her.
Weekly QuizJul 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesJun 30, 2026
Pokémon Fans Will Want to Catch This New G-Shock WatchThe new watch commemorates Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
MajorsJun 30, 2026
Saks Global Emerges From Bankruptcy With New NameThe luxury retailer is now called Exemplar Luxury Group.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
CollectionsJun 30, 2026
Jade Ruzzo’s New Collection Embodies the Art of Being a LadyThe “Lady” collection is a new take on old beauty standards with gemstone-adorned hair pins and combs, a compact mirror necklace, and more.
SourcingJun 30, 2026
Blue Nile Introduces Montana Sapphire CollectionThe new line is included in the e-tailer’s curation of jewelry celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
GradingJun 30, 2026
AGS Opens 2026 Recertification ExamAll active members who earned their credential or designation before Dec. 1, 2025, are required to recertify.
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
