Columnists

The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online Cart

ColumnistsJun 24, 2026

The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online Cart

Jewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Smart Age CEO and National Jeweler columnist Emmanuel Raheb
Emmanuel Raheb is the CEO of Smart Age Solutions, a digital ad agency and coveted Premier Google Partner. Contact him at eraheb@smartagesolutions.com.
Independent jewelers have spent the last several years investing heavily in e-commerce. Most jewelers spend a lot of time thinking about advertising and traffic to get more people onto their website.

There’s a good reason why.

According to the research firm Technavio, a recent study shows that worldwide, online jewelry sales are experiencing a nearly 19 percent compound annual growth rate, making how you sell online just as important as how you sell in your store. 

Yet, one of the biggest sources of lost revenue isn’t happening before the sale. It’s happening after the customer has already decided to buy. 

In the rush to sell online, many retailers have accidentally left something behind.

Walk into any jewelry store and buy an engagement ring and chances are a sales associate will talk to you about a care plan. They’ve become good at suggesting complementary purchases and services. 

The best salespeople understand how to educate their customers. They know how to make recommendations that feel helpful rather than pushy, ultimately closing the sale.

Online, that conversation never happens and unfortunately, much of that expertise vanishes. 

That exact same customer buys that exact same ring and checks out without ever being offered a care plan. The sale was successful, but you missed the opportunity.

And that’s surprising because service plans represent some of the healthiest margins in the business.

 Related stories will be right here … 

According to a recent Strategic Market Research report, integrating protection and care plans directly at checkout boosts attachment rates by up to 41 percent. 

More importantly, it protects the overall transaction by reducing returns by 18 percent while also increasing the average revenue per user by 9 percent. 

Offering a plan online isn’t just a pushy upsell; it’s a proven strategy you can no longer afford to ignore. 

Rings still need to be resized. Prongs still wear down. Rhodium plating still wears off. Stones still chip. 

Those realities haven’t changed simply because the transaction moved online. What has disappeared isn’t the need; it is the conversation.

“Customers haven’t changed nearly as much as we think. They still appreciate expertise. They still value guidance. And they still expect us to take care of them after the sale.” – Emmanuel Raheb, Smart Age Solutions  

Forward-thinking retailers are beginning to recognize this.

Some are rethinking how service plans are presented on their website, while others are using tools such as Smart Care, a Shopify-native platform designed to bring the care-plan conversation back into the checkout experience online.  

But the bigger lessons extend far beyond care plans.

Too many jewelers assume growth only comes from attracting more customers. Sometimes it comes from better serving the customers you already have.

As our industry becomes increasingly digital with more transactions happening outside of the physical store, we must make sure convenience doesn’t come at the expense of good service.

Customers haven’t changed nearly as much as we think. They still appreciate expertise. They still value guidance. And they still expect us to take care of them after the sale.

The challenge is making sure those conversations happen whether the customer is standing at your counter or clicking “checkout” on your website.

The easiest revenue to lose is the sales you never realized you were missing.

The Latest

Stock image of a gavel and books
CrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store Robberies

The 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.

Spider-Man Citizen watch and pin on a web
WatchesAug 03, 2026
Citizen's New Spider-Man Watch Is a Collector’s Dream

The watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.

Chatham Men’s Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsAug 03, 2026
Chatham Releases First Men’s Collection

The new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.

1872-x-1052-July-ad (1).png
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying Events

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Pomellato Marvelous Griffe earrings
TrendsAug 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Spinel vs. Peridot

While some August babies are team peridot, the month's time-honored birthstone, others are team spinel, the newer alternative.

Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Edina Kiss Popsicle Pendant and Karina Choudhrie Ice Cream Charm
TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet

Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.

Macy’s Herald Square store sign
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn Down

The massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.

Brought-To-By-Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center Stage

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

Gemfields emeralds
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%

The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.

Stock image of a polished diamond being held by tweezers
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO Says

The goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Jewelers of America President and CEO David Bonaparte in Washington, D.C.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect

David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.

Hands pushing shopping cart
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in July

Survey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.

Paola De Luca Presents Trendvision Book
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education Lineup

The trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.

Jewels by Grace Hillsborough Show
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026

The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.

Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão at the 2026 African Mining Indaba
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry

Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.

Kevin Reilly PGI USA
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry

Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.

Pomellato Mandala Chromia necklace
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%

Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.

United Flags of Fashion Arkansas Flag By Lauren Harwell Godfrey
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for Arkansas

She was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.

Tiffany & Co butterfly necklace
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1

LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”

Lionheart Sacred Heart Charm Necklace
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography

“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.

Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS

The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.

Mikimoto L'éclat high jewelry brooch
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain Says

Bain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.

Harvard Rubies Exhibit The Soul of Flame II Brooch by Austy Lee
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard Museum

The exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.

Stock image of shipping containers in port
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry

The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.

Jorge Adeler Gods & Heroes coin pendant
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’

From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.

Courtney Leidy Amethyst Silk Cord Pendant
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings

Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.

NJ Article image.png
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of Relationships

Mildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy