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Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to Retire
Feldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
Steve Feldman, an industry veteran of 45 years, is heading into retirement.
New York—Steve Feldman, a longtime member of the jewelry industry, is heading into retirement after 45 years.
Well, he’s sort of retiring, Feldman clarified.
“Sort of because I know I’ll need to keep busy. And I’m certain I can use my writing and storytelling skills to help a few diamond and jewelry companies on their website, with social media and marketing,” he said.
“But my [vice president] and director of sales and marketing days are over. I am indeed, and perhaps finally, packing in my full-time jewelry industry career.”
Feldman began his career at National Jeweler, joining as associate publisher in the late 1970s.
“Jimmy Carter was president. Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ was No. 1. Star Wars Episode IV was on top. Laverne & Shirley ran neck and neck with Happy Days,” he recalled.
On his first day on the job, the publication held a press conference announcing the magazine would now publish semi-monthly (24 times a year) instead of monthly.
“The news was not exactly met with a standing ovation, letting me know this was going to be a really interesting ride. And it sure has been,” he said.
Feldman looked back on some memorable moments of his career, including being there at the very start of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA).
An “emotional rebellion” of colored gemstone dealers had threatened to leave the existing Tucson trade show, he said. After an unsuccessful mediation with show management in the back of a hotel kitchen, they left, forming AGTA.
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Well, he’s sort of retiring, Feldman clarified.
“Sort of because I know I’ll need to keep busy. And I’m certain I can use my writing and storytelling skills to help a few diamond and jewelry companies on their website, with social media and marketing,” he said.
“But my [vice president] and director of sales and marketing days are over. I am indeed, and perhaps finally, packing in my full-time jewelry industry career.”
Feldman began his career at National Jeweler, joining as associate publisher in the late 1970s.
“Jimmy Carter was president. Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ was No. 1. Star Wars Episode IV was on top. Laverne & Shirley ran neck and neck with Happy Days,” he recalled.
On his first day on the job, the publication held a press conference announcing the magazine would now publish semi-monthly (24 times a year) instead of monthly.
“The news was not exactly met with a standing ovation, letting me know this was going to be a really interesting ride. And it sure has been,” he said.
Feldman looked back on some memorable moments of his career, including being there at the very start of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA).
An “emotional rebellion” of colored gemstone dealers had threatened to leave the existing Tucson trade show, he said. After an unsuccessful mediation with show management in the back of a hotel kitchen, they left, forming AGTA.
Feldman later worked with Chatham Created Gems and found himself in the middle of more drama, as many natural gem dealers took a stance against lab-grown gems, a situation, he said, that bears a striking resemblance to the current state of the industry.
Feldman launched a marketing campaign with the theme: “Don’t Use the Word Synthetic,” imprinted on flyers, ribbons, and buttons. “Lab-grown” won out as the phrasing of choice.
In the end, “lab-grown” was the ultimate name of choice, as it still is today.
Feldman returned to the trade press, working with Modern Jeweler and Lustre.
He later became director of sales and marketing for Hasenfeld-Stein, a De Beers sightholder. It was here that he learned to appreciate diamonds, he said.
“To be privy to the inner workings of De Beers, getting to appreciate their power and influence, was eye-opening,” said Feldman.
“I’ll never forget a marketing meeting in [its] London office when I challenged [its] ‘two-months salary’ marketing and advertising campaign. I didn’t realize how sensitive a subject that was. But they were ready for me.”
Feldman had spent 40 years working with retailers and manufacturers before joining Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL), which he called “the perfect transition.”
“It’s been an awesome ride,” said Feldman. “So much has changed, while a whole lot seems very much the same.”
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