Out & About: A Dispatch from the Nation’s Smallest State
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.

The one-day event covered brand-building, digital marketing, store security, and even a brief history of the jewelry industry’s rise and fall in Providence.
For me, it was the final session of the day that sparked the most interest, with Synchrony’s Jackie Mecca and JA’s own Amanda Gizzi co-hosting “Consumer Buying and Jewelry Trends.”
Mecca, Synchrony’s senior vice president and general manager for luxury markets, dove into the results of the company’s 2023 “Major Purchase Study.”
Conducted every other year, it surveys consumers (Synchrony card holders and non-card holders alike) who have made a $500-plus purchase in the last year about their buying journey—when they bought, where they bought, and why they bought.
Among the more than 3,600 major-purchase consumers surveyed, 68 percent said they purchase in-store, while just 23 percent said they prefer to shop online.
Gizzi added this personal observation from a recent shopping outing in Long Island, New York: “I can’t believe how many people are inside of malls now versus five years ago.”
While interest in in-store shopping is a positive for brick-and-mortar retailers, today’s consumers want to have a good experience and develop a relationship with your store, and they are increasingly relying on your staff to provide it.
A total of 65 percent of consumers surveyed said they consider the in-store experience an essential part of their purchase journey, and 81 percent said they directly interacted with a salesperson during their last in-store visit, up three percentage points from 2021.
As for why consumers ultimately land on a certain product, Synchrony’s Mecca said consumers today want to purchase from brands whose values match theirs.
Among shoppers surveyed, 59 percent said they prefer to shop at and support brands that align with their values. Interestingly, almost a third (28 percent) said they like it when a brand or retailer takes a stand on a social issue.
The above doesn’t really surprise me, given the country’s current political and social climate.
The pandemic showed us that, sure, you can stay home by yourself all the time and order absolutely everything online, but do you really want to?
There’s a joy inherent in getting out of the house and going shopping—touching and feeling the merchandise, trying it on, and asking other living, breathing human beings how it looks.
Being completely robbed of that for two-plus years made so many of us realize that we missed it.
Shopping is, and long has been, a social activity above all. It’s a way to connect with others, support the brick-and-mortar businesses in your area, and feel like part of the community, which we all need.

In her portion of the “Consumer Buying and Jewelry Trends” presentation, Gizzi did what she does so well on a regular basis for National Jeweler via Amanda’s Style File—she outlined the jewelry trends she’s currently seeing everywhere.
They are: Bold Gold, Cool Down (a return to interest in “winter whites,” meaning platinum and white gold); Shimmy and Shake (jewelry with a lot of movement); The Brooch Is Back; and Slither and Fly (animal jewelry, particularly insects and snakes), with Gizzi noting, “Everywhere I turned in Las Vegas, there was some sort of creature.”
While some of you may be rolling your eyes at what feels like the 1000th time someone has heralded the return of the brooch, Gizzi pointed out that pins are also being bought and sold as bag charms. And I would add that more men are embracing brooches as they expand their overall jewelry wardrobe.
“It’s another great way to sell vintage brooches,” she said.
Other trends she called out in the presentation were pearl collars and bubble letters, sharing this fantastic example from Alison Lou that I covet but probably will never buy because I am cheap.
Gizzi also noted the popularity of less common, angular diamond cuts for engagement rings, like shields and kites, which dovetails with an article I saw on JCKOnline.com recently about the increasing use of cadillac-cut diamonds as side stones.
“Are they going to be your No. 1 seller? Absolutely not,” she said. “But people are interested.”
JA’s next Multifaceted Learning Workshop is scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 17. I’ll be there, and I hope you will too.
The Latest

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.


Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.

The brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.

Goldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.

Longtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Vickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.

Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.