MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
IndependentsOct 06, 2016
7 Shots of a Fla. Jeweler Preparing for Hurricane Matthew
The team at J.R. Dunn Jewelers has taken a number of precautions to secure the store before the storm makes landfall, learning from its past experiences.
J.R. Dunn Jewelers in Lighthouse Point, Fla. prepares for Hurricane Matthew to make landfall.
Lighthouse Point, Fla.--J.R. Dunn Jewelers has weathered a storm before, and it’s learned from its experiences.
In 2005, Hurricane Wilma hit. Though the store only suffered minor structural damage, it was without power for almost 10 days, leading store owner Jim Dunn to sleep there on an air mattress with a shotgun at his side for the duration.
Once the storm was over, the team continued with clean-up and painting, even as the store remained without power.
They even managed to make a sale, showing one of the store’s regular customers a 3-carat, H color, VS2 clarity diamond out in the parking lot. The setting actually ended up providing just the light right for the diamond to sparkle, and sure enough, they sold the stone.
Now, as Hurricane Matthew nears, and is expected to hit Florida Thursday night, J.R. Dunn Jewelers--located in Lighthouse Point in the southern part of the state--is taking the lessons it learned from Wilma as it prepares the store for the storm.
Sales Manager Andrew Lefton is pictured here in his “Team J.R. Dunn Jewelers” shirt as he helps secure the hurricane shutters before Hurricane Matthew makes landfall. As security of the employees and their families also was a top priority, a number of team members arrived early in the morning to secure the store and then were sent home to allow time for their own preparations.
The company said it learned a few lessons from Hurricane Wilma more than a decade ago--it now has a big commercial generator, and battened down the hatches earlier this time around.
Covering the showcases, unplugging the computers and telephones and moving desk and office supplies to higher ground in case of flooding is an important part of storm prep. Storms shutters were also put on the showroom windows.
The store’s jewelers finalize hurricane preparations.
J.R. Dunn is ready to continue to do business online at all times as the hurricane comes through--the retailer has forwarded its main toll-free number to the e-commerce sales teams’ cell phones to maintain the same level of service. Pictured here is the street-side of the J.R. Dunn e-commerce building, with a little graffiti message to show its online ordering systems will be up no matter how big the storm gets.
The team also added a lighter mood to the messages it left on the blank wooden boards on its e-commerce building, with this one reading “#HurricaneMatthew. A Storm So Nice It Might Hit Twice. #BeSafe,” playing off of some forecasts that the storm could loop around and hit Florida a second time.
Store founder Jim Dunn got in on the action of helping prepare the store before the storm.
More on Independents
The Latest
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.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
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.
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.
