Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
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
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
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
