SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
IndependentsOct 16, 2014
5 questions with: independent jeweler Brad Kodak
Brad Kodak of W. Kodak Jewelers discusses the biggest challenge facing independents today, margins, and marketing what type of lab reports the store uses.
W. Kodak Jewelers advertises the type of gemstone grading reports it uses as a way of standing out, Brad Kodak says. The advertisement seen here is located on a bus stop shelter along Washington Street, the main drag of Hoboken, N.J.
Hoboken, N.J.--A retailer that’s been around since 1970s and is now two generations in, W. Kodak Jewelers is opening a second store, also located in the New Jersey city of Hoboken, which is right across the Hudson River from New York.
Mostly shop-in-shops of brands including Breitling, TAG Heuer, Tacori and Roberto Coin make up the new store, located in in Maxwell Place, a high-end high-rise condominium building.
Recently, Brad Kodak took the time to answer a few questions from National Jeweler about what it’s like to be an independent jeweler today.
National Jeweler: Please tell us about your second store.
Brad Kodak: Basically we have a branded boutique-style store in Hoboken and business is tremendous. We are now opening a second location--a flagship store at the famed Maxwell Place in Hoboken. This is a very luxurious, very high-end building and neighborhood with amazing demographics. The condos range (in price) from $1.2 million to $3-plus million and we would say the average age is approximately 37.
NJ: We spotted your advertisement on the main street (Washington Street) in Hoboken noting that you sell GIA-graded diamonds. Please tell us about the thought process behind creating this campaign.
BK: Well ... I have not seen many jewelers advertise a specific lab report. So I think standing out is important. We also feel our client in Hoboken is of a high intellect and does some research of their own. In my opinion, GIA holds itself to the highest standard in terms of diamond reports, as we do in our way of running our business and the quality we sell compared to some competition in New York City.
NJ: What is the biggest challenge facing you as an independent jeweler today?
BK: The biggest challenge facing the independent is to stand out from the Internet. Attention to quality and customer service are the ways to achieve this, and then your reputation grows as the place to buy from. Word-of-mouth referral is still the form of advertising, especially in luxury.
NJ: In which category (loose diamonds, bridal, colored gemstones, etc.) are your margins the most squeezed and how do you combat that?
BK: Loose diamonds are the tightest margin, but bridal including engagement can still be very profitable. We can’t give out all our secrets.
NJ: What is one thing people often are surprised to learn about you?
BK: How nice
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
it can feel to buy from a trusted jeweler. We sell high-ticket items and if done with education and integrity, the client will come away from the experience enjoying it rather than (experiencing a) process filled with anxiety and uncertainty.
More on Independents
The Latest
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
