Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award NomineesNotable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
ColumnistsMar 24, 2020
Coach’s Corner: A Call for Togetherness
Columnist Pat Henneberry shares her thoughts on how members of the jewelry industry can support each other during these difficult times.
Pat Henneberry is president of consulting and sales training company The Jewelry Coach. Reach her at 512-203-3414, or on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Nowadays, you hear stories of Italians singing from their apartment balconies, or kids writing lists about how their parents can be kinder to each other.
I was with my mom in Iowa when the virus took over and decided to ride this out with her, and I’m so happy I did. It’s always a gift to get to spend time with my mom.
I’ve heard about people checking on their elderly neighbors, or going to stores to buy supplies for people who can’t get out.
This makes me hopeful, and it makes me wonder if it’s possible that this global timeout could create an opportunity for a jewelry industry reset.
I’ve never been through a global pandemic and I am warned that pandemics could create the opposite instinct—fear, anger, hoarding toilet paper, aloofness and selfishness.
What is clear is that there are a lot of unknowns and it could go either way, depending on the courage of character we will summon in the days and months ahead.
I know this to be true—our industry will survive!
As an industry, jewelry has had to survive a lot more than most industries. We’ve endured so many ups and downs in the 30-plus years I’ve been in it.
As long as we help each other and understand the needs of our industry, I know we will get through this.
When most of us think of wellness, we often think of it as a personal effort, not something we experience together (and, no, I don’t count my spin classes as a form of social wellness).
Similarly, when we measure our businesses, it’s also from a singular perspective, asking ourselves, “How many sales did we do today?”
Instead, we should ask ourselves, “How we are growing and evolving as a collective jewelry industry? What are we doing for our fellow jewelers, our customers and our vendors?”
What if we replace the “I” with “us”?
What if we begin to look at our jewelry industry wellness as a shared responsibility, a shared experience?
Maybe, for example, it’s time to jump on the Women’s Jewelry Association conversation site and see if you can answer questions, or to mentor someone at AGS or GIA.
Maybe it’s time you share your experiences with others who could learn from you.
When was the last time you picked up the phone and had a meaningful conversation with another jeweler in your buying group, or a vendor from whom you always learn something new?
I was with my mom in Iowa when the virus took over and decided to ride this out with her, and I’m so happy I did. It’s always a gift to get to spend time with my mom.
I’ve heard about people checking on their elderly neighbors, or going to stores to buy supplies for people who can’t get out.
This makes me hopeful, and it makes me wonder if it’s possible that this global timeout could create an opportunity for a jewelry industry reset.
I’ve never been through a global pandemic and I am warned that pandemics could create the opposite instinct—fear, anger, hoarding toilet paper, aloofness and selfishness.
What is clear is that there are a lot of unknowns and it could go either way, depending on the courage of character we will summon in the days and months ahead.
I know this to be true—our industry will survive!
As an industry, jewelry has had to survive a lot more than most industries. We’ve endured so many ups and downs in the 30-plus years I’ve been in it.
As long as we help each other and understand the needs of our industry, I know we will get through this.
When most of us think of wellness, we often think of it as a personal effort, not something we experience together (and, no, I don’t count my spin classes as a form of social wellness).
Similarly, when we measure our businesses, it’s also from a singular perspective, asking ourselves, “How many sales did we do today?”
Instead, we should ask ourselves, “How we are growing and evolving as a collective jewelry industry? What are we doing for our fellow jewelers, our customers and our vendors?”
What if we replace the “I” with “us”?
What if we begin to look at our jewelry industry wellness as a shared responsibility, a shared experience?
Maybe, for example, it’s time to jump on the Women’s Jewelry Association conversation site and see if you can answer questions, or to mentor someone at AGS or GIA.
Maybe it’s time you share your experiences with others who could learn from you.
When was the last time you picked up the phone and had a meaningful conversation with another jeweler in your buying group, or a vendor from whom you always learn something new?
Is it time to take a new online class or read up on all those trade journals?
How can we come together in small ways, even without AGS Conclave and a postponed JCK Las Vegas show?
Today, I’m going to reach out to people I know in our industry to offer help and check in on some friends. It should be standard practice, one that builds community and heals our industry.
I believe it’s our challenge, our responsibility and our gift to help one another and help this amazing global jewelry industry we are all a part of.
Please feel free to reach out to me if there anything I can do for you.
Please stay safe. I pray for our industry, and our families.
And, above all, don’t forget to have hope, which is easy to lose in times like these. Hope is there and we will get through this together.
Below are a few sites I thought I’d share with you if you find yourself needing to fill an extra hour or two in your week.
Be a lifelong learner with me and teach yourself something new.
* Take a virtual tour of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., the Louvre in Paris, and more.
* Take a tour of a national park from your home.
* Peek in on the livestream of eagles from the Decorah Trout Hatchery in Decorah, Iowa. I promise once you start watching these eagles sitting on their nest of eggs, you won’t stop.
* Explore is one of my favorites. Watch livestreams of pandas or puppy seals in the ocean.
* Watch one TED Talk a day. You will get lost in great talks!
How can we come together in small ways, even without AGS Conclave and a postponed JCK Las Vegas show?
Today, I’m going to reach out to people I know in our industry to offer help and check in on some friends. It should be standard practice, one that builds community and heals our industry.
I believe it’s our challenge, our responsibility and our gift to help one another and help this amazing global jewelry industry we are all a part of.
Please feel free to reach out to me if there anything I can do for you.
Please stay safe. I pray for our industry, and our families.
And, above all, don’t forget to have hope, which is easy to lose in times like these. Hope is there and we will get through this together.
Below are a few sites I thought I’d share with you if you find yourself needing to fill an extra hour or two in your week.
Be a lifelong learner with me and teach yourself something new.
* Take a virtual tour of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., the Louvre in Paris, and more.
* Take a tour of a national park from your home.
* Peek in on the livestream of eagles from the Decorah Trout Hatchery in Decorah, Iowa. I promise once you start watching these eagles sitting on their nest of eggs, you won’t stop.
* Explore is one of my favorites. Watch livestreams of pandas or puppy seals in the ocean.
* Watch one TED Talk a day. You will get lost in great talks!
More on Columnists
The Latest
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ CollectionAfter experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For AuctionIt is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.
MajorsOct 27, 2025
Target to Cut 1,800 Corporate JobsThe retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond JewelryFrom sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry ShowHill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives ReplacedLondon-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch HistoryThe book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
AuctionsOct 23, 2025
Freeman’s | Hindman Names New VP, Senior Specialist for Jewelry & WatchesAlexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
The Taylor Swift Effect: Antique Diamonds EditionThe superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
Don’t Forget These Diamond Jewelry Trends When Stocking for the HolidaysRetailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.
AuctionsOct 22, 2025
Pink Diamond, Vanderbilt Jewels to Headline Phillips’ Geneva AuctionThe nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.
SourcingOct 22, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 22, 2025
Tiffany & Co.’s ‘Bird on a Rock’ Finds New PerchChief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
JFC Kicks Off Halloween Costume ChallengeFive dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
Hillsborough Antique Show Gets New OwnerRecently acquired by KIL Promotions, the November edition of the public show in San Mateo, California, will be held Nov. 7-9.
GradingOct 21, 2025
GIA Examines Rare Bicolor Pink DiamondThe stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.
MajorsOct 21, 2025
Pomellato Brings ‘Global Attitude’ to Rodeo Drive FlagshipHollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.
Lab-GrownOct 21, 2025
Grown Brilliance Opens First FlagshipThe New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.
