ColumnistsJan 24, 2023
On Data: Here’s How Independent Jewelers Did in 2022 ColumnistsJan 31, 2023
Squirrel Spotting: How About a Word for the New Year?
It begins with a “t” and ends with a “c” and is imbued with warmth and positivity, Peter Smith writes.
Peter Smith is an industry consultant, speaker, sales trainer, and author. He can be reached via email at TheRetailSmiths@gmail.com.
I recently received an invitation for a catch-up Zoom call from my friend and author, Mark Ryski.
If you’re in retail and you don’t know Mark, you would do well to check out his books, “Conversion: The Last Great Retail Metric” and “When Retail Customers Count,” probably the best two books on customer conversion I’ve ever read.
Mark had sent me some possible meeting times and when I selected one, he responded using a word that brought a huge smile to my face and transported me to a different time and place.
We all understand the power of words, but we tend to think about that in the context of how we might offend someone by using the wrong ones. It is rare, for me at least, to have a single word become almost transcendent.
That is, however, what happened to me when I received Mark’s reply.
When I read the word, I was transported back to my Colibri days in the 1990s and a recently departed friend, Larry Feeney, a longtime jewelry guy who died in May 2021.
During the four years Larry and I worked together at Colibri, he would bound all over the building in Cranston, Rhode Island, always wearing a smile, and ready with a humorous quip for everyone he met.
Whether Larry knew it or not, one of the words that he used with reckless abandon, and which I always loved, was “terrific.”
Related stories will be right here …
If you’re in retail and you don’t know Mark, you would do well to check out his books, “Conversion: The Last Great Retail Metric” and “When Retail Customers Count,” probably the best two books on customer conversion I’ve ever read.
Mark had sent me some possible meeting times and when I selected one, he responded using a word that brought a huge smile to my face and transported me to a different time and place.
We all understand the power of words, but we tend to think about that in the context of how we might offend someone by using the wrong ones. It is rare, for me at least, to have a single word become almost transcendent.
That is, however, what happened to me when I received Mark’s reply.
When I read the word, I was transported back to my Colibri days in the 1990s and a recently departed friend, Larry Feeney, a longtime jewelry guy who died in May 2021.
During the four years Larry and I worked together at Colibri, he would bound all over the building in Cranston, Rhode Island, always wearing a smile, and ready with a humorous quip for everyone he met.
Whether Larry knew it or not, one of the words that he used with reckless abandon, and which I always loved, was “terrific.”
Everything seemed to be “terrific” to Larry, and as much as I always enjoyed hearing him use that word, I never managed to embed it into my own vocabulary.
For whatever reason, it never seemed to fit me the way it fit Larry, and before too long, I’d forgotten about it altogether.
Despite not working with Larry since 1996, we would occasionally meet up at various industry events, or during market week in Las Vegas.
Sometimes we’d just have a quick catch-up, crack a joke or two, and be on our way until the next unscheduled visit.
If the conversation was of any duration, however, I was almost certain to hear Larry use “terrific” in his speech, and it struck me the same way every time, “Jeez, that’s a word I need to use more!”
When Mark’s email came in and I read the word “terrific,” I thought of Larry and, once again, vowed to use the word more in my own speech. I mean, really, what’s the downside of saying “terrific” more?
Going forward, I’ve decided I will replace my New Year’s resolutions (I don’t much care for them anyway) with a word for the year.
And for 2023, that will be “terrific,” a strong word imbued with warmth and positivity. A word that means something special to me.
A word that invokes memories of friends past and possibilities yet to come.
Seems like a terrific idea.
More on Columnists
The Latest
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
