Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsNov 14, 2019
Why a Jeweler Honored a Gift Certificate from 1969
It cost Bensons Jewelers owner Ken Stein $150 but turned out to be worth thousands in free publicity.
The original gift certificate for silverware issued by Benson Jewelers to Catherine (Cathy) Swindell, now Jones, in 1969, when she got married. The store redeemed it this week even though it quit selling silver decades ago. (Photo courtesy of Ken Stein/George Jones)
Washington—A couple weeks ago, Bensons Jewelers owner Ken Stein got an email from a man asking if his store carried silverware.
“No,” the jeweler replied, adding, “Gosh, who does anymore?”
It was an odd and seemingly dated question, but one that turned out to have a terrific backstory that has generated an untold amount of free, positive publicity for the Washington, D.C.-based retailer.
The man who sent the email was 77-year-old Pasadena, Maryland resident George Jones.
Jones and his wife Cathy had been thumbing through their wedding album on the occasion of their 50th anniversary when they found an unclaimed gift certificate from Bensons.
Dated Nov. 8, 1969, the certificate was for “one teaspoon, one place knife and one place fork” in the “Rose” pattern by Stieff and was signed “B. Singer.”
Stein said he believes the signatory was Betsy Singer, who “did a little bit of everything” during her time at the store and, likely, was its silver specialist (the store, he noted, used to have a specialist for everything.)
Singer no longer works at Bensons, and Stein, who started at the store in 1979 and bought his father Paul out of the business in the ‘90s, said they haven’t carried Stieff, or any silver, for decades.
But he saw both charity and—he’s clear and unapologetic on this point—opportunity in honoring the couple’s gift certificate, even though he had to go out and spend $150 to buy the silverware from Replacements, Ltd.
“I just thought it was the right thing to do,” he said, “and my extreme business savvy just said, ‘This is a good story.”
He was correct, on both counts.
“No,” the jeweler replied, adding, “Gosh, who does anymore?”
It was an odd and seemingly dated question, but one that turned out to have a terrific backstory that has generated an untold amount of free, positive publicity for the Washington, D.C.-based retailer.
The man who sent the email was 77-year-old Pasadena, Maryland resident George Jones.
Jones and his wife Cathy had been thumbing through their wedding album on the occasion of their 50th anniversary when they found an unclaimed gift certificate from Bensons.
Dated Nov. 8, 1969, the certificate was for “one teaspoon, one place knife and one place fork” in the “Rose” pattern by Stieff and was signed “B. Singer.”
Stein said he believes the signatory was Betsy Singer, who “did a little bit of everything” during her time at the store and, likely, was its silver specialist (the store, he noted, used to have a specialist for everything.)
Singer no longer works at Bensons, and Stein, who started at the store in 1979 and bought his father Paul out of the business in the ‘90s, said they haven’t carried Stieff, or any silver, for decades.
But he saw both charity and—he’s clear and unapologetic on this point—opportunity in honoring the couple’s gift certificate, even though he had to go out and spend $150 to buy the silverware from Replacements, Ltd.
“I just thought it was the right thing to do,” he said, “and my extreme business savvy just said, ‘This is a good story.”
He was correct, on both counts.
George and Cathy Jones had their new silverware from Bensons Jewelers put in a shadowbox frame along with a copy of the original gift certificate from 1969, Ken Stein’s business card, a picture from their wedding 50 years ago and a letter telling the story of the certificate’s late redemption. (Photo courtesy of Ken Stein/George Jones)
The Joneses were, by Stein’s account, “very excited” to receive another wedding present.
The couple was so excited, in fact, they had the three-piece silverware set framed, along with the original gift certificate and Stein’s business card.
The savvy Stein shared the story with local media and, as so many stories do these days, it spread like a spill, with the jeweler fielding calls from all over the country.
“When the story broke, I had calls from California, Connecticut and New York, from total strangers, and they’ve said, ‘You’ve restored my faith in humanity.’”
NBC News 4 Washington covered the story, and so did Washington Post columnist John Kelly, whose headline alone should land him in the running for a Pulitzer Prize.
Stein got emails via his website pledging future allegiance to the store, a few of which he shared with National Jeweler on Wednesday.
“Dear Bensons,” one man wrote, “I saw the ‘feel good’ story today on NBC News 4 of you honoring a 50-year-old gift certificate. Great job on your part, I will certainly use Bensons for my future jewelry needs. Thanks for [an] act of kindness seldomly seen.”
On Tuesday, a man came into the store to shake Stein’s hand. He left two rings, one for a re-engraving and one for an appraisal, and said he would be back to pick out a piece of jewelry.
Stein said he’s also received a few hundred comments on Facebook, where he shared the news stories on his personal page, and the tale even spurred a five-star Google review.
“Do they turn into money in the till? Time will tell but [in the meantime] I’ve restored some faith in humanity,” he said.
“A lot of people are miserable. A lot of people are angry and mad and divided.”
This story is none of those things and, because of that, people were happy to share it.
More on Independents
The Latest
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry RetailersThe online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to ChicagoThe opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through LoveThe “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-UpRobert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.
MajorsApr 16, 2025
WJA Announces Board Members, New Chicago Chapter PresidentThe announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Making Deals, Marketing DiamondsKenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.
AuctionsApr 15, 2025
23-Carat ‘Golconda Blue’ Heads to AuctionThe historic fancy vivid blue diamond set to headline Christie’s Geneva sale next month could sell for up to $50 million.
FinancialsApr 15, 2025
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Slip 2 PercentLVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.
CrimeApr 15, 2025
Jon Hamm Plays a Jewel Thief on Apple TV+The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”
SourcingApr 15, 2025
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2025 BoardThe organization has reelected Kalpesh Jhaveri as president.
FinancialsApr 14, 2025
Movado to Restate Years of Financials Due to ‘Misconduct’ in Dubai An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.
CollectionsApr 14, 2025
Sauer Embraces Emptiness Through ‘Ma’ CollectionThe collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.
IndependentsApr 14, 2025
Illinois Jeweler Closing After 45 YearsMari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.
GradingApr 14, 2025
GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick InGIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.
