MajorsApr 07, 2026
QVC Group’s Latest Filing Calls Its Future Into QuestionThe retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.
IndependentsFeb 06, 2016
Chicago-Area Jeweler Delivers Using a Drone
Distinctive Gold Jewelry in Frankfort, Ill. recently surprised a longtime customer by lowering a Concord watch onto her front lawn.
Frankfort, Ill.--Ever since the notion of delivering goods via drone hit the news, jeweler Tony D’Ortenzio wanted to get in on the action.
His dream was to give one couple a memorable engagement by flying the ring in mid-proposal.
D’Ortenzio owns Distinctive Gold Jewelry (known as DGJ) with his brother Joe. The store, which has been in the family for more than 40 years, has had three Chicagoland locations and now is in Frankfort, a southwest suburb.
The store’s inaugural drone delivery took place earlier this fall, on Sept. 23, but the planning began months before that.
In late spring, DGJ sales associate Lisa Karlstedt, who has worked at the store for 25 years, identified someone she thought would like the idea of giving a gift by drone, a longtime customer named Rob.
Rob and his wife Paula have purchased quite a bit of jewelry from DGJ over the years. What’s more, Rob, who works as an accountant, has a keen interest in technology and likes doing things that are fun and different for his wife.
Karlstedt said he was into the idea from the start, and they knew then that the drone delivery would take place either for their anniversary or her birthday, both of which are in September.
D’Ortenzio, meanwhile, was doing what any smart retailer who has a drone dream would do--hunt for a local vendor to help him execute something that is out of his area of expertise.
Not surprisingly, he found what he was looking for on Facebook, a local man named David Ho who owns Aerial Photo of Illinois, a company that deploys drones to take pictures for the real estate market. Ho is not only experienced in operating drones, but has FAA approval to do so commercially.
D’Ortenzio said he called Ho in to take an aerial photograph of the store, then popped the
question: Could he fly a piece of jewelry from the store to a house about two miles away via drone?
Ho consented, and D’Ortenzio was one step closer to executing his long-sought-after special delivery.
Delivery Day
The delivery was done via manned drone, meaning Ho and his wife and D’Ortenzio and Karlstedt followed it in two separate cars to make sure it didn’t get tangled in the town’s power lines along the way. Ho was in the lead car, operating the drone with a remote control.
WATCH: The watch’s journey via video shot by the drone
Karlstedt said tensions were high as their white sedan wove its way through the streets to Rob and Paula’s house.
About 250 feet above them, a $10,000 18-karat white gold Concord watch with a diamond-set mother-of-pearl dial was flying through the air sans insurance. She said there isn’t really coverage for drone delivery that they are aware of, so “We knew when we figured out that we were going to fly a piece of jewelry from our store to their house, we were going to be responsible for it. And it was way up there, let me tell you.”
Luckily, the weather cooperated and there were no hang-ups along the way, literally.
WATCH: “This is the weirdest thing you’ve ever done, Rob.”
When the drone landed, or, rather, hovered, and Paula pulled down her anniversary gift, everybody was pleased and relieved. “It was the perfect day, the perfect moment for the perfect customer,” D’Ortenzio said.
He said the special delivery, which the store 100 percent paid for, cost him about $350 out of pocket. That’s expensive as deliveries go but worth it--not only were his longtime customers happy, but the drone delivery netted them coverage in local newspapers and on social media.
While there likely won’t be any more aerial deliveries from DGJ in the near future as the Chicago winter sets in, D’Ortenzio hopes to take flight again. Next time, he’d like to drop in with an engagement ring, which is what he originally wanted to deliver.
“I still want to do the engagement one,” he said. “I just think that would be so memorable.”
Karlstedt agreed.
“We would love to do this for an engagement sale. Imagine getting proposed to and having a ring come out of the sky. That would be so cool.”
More on Independents
The Latest
ColumnistsApr 07, 2026
Peter Smith: A Tip to the Post Office on Workplace CultureSmith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.
GradingApr 07, 2026
GIA CFO David Tearle to Retire in June John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Nerd Out Over Gemology Geek’s First Jewelry CollectionFounder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Ukrainian Jewelers Highlighted In New Book“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
