Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
EditorsJun 11, 2009
Change, jewelers, change
Reflecting back on what I saw and heard at the Vegas shows, one week later, my overriding sense is that jewelers were on the receiving end of a lot more finger wagging than I’ve seen in the past Nearly every...
Reflecting back on what I saw and heard at the Vegas shows, one week later, my overriding sense is that jewelers were on the receiving end of a lot more finger wagging than I’ve seen in the past
Nearly every seminar felt like an intervention. Admonished for essentially being the retail equivalents of a 1980s hair band, jewelers were warned that they will be hurtling towards extinction if they can’t learn some new tunes.
Jewelers were told they have messed up their inventory because they lack computerized systems and that their poorly chosen merchandise is draining profits. Furthermore, jewelers were advised that if they are not Facebooking, Tweeting, blogging or, at least, ramping up their Web presence, they can rule out any customers who aren’t wobbling into their stores on canes.
Many of the observations were on target and warranted, but where was the tough love before the fourth-quarter 2008?
One thing that seemed lost, to me, was the notion that being a bit older is not necessarily a bad thing for a business. It should be recognized that jewelers aren’t Apple store hipsters showing off an armful of tattoos as they demonstrate features of the latest iPod—nor should they be. They are selling merchandise meant to last a lifetime, and being able to tout a long history, a well-honed reputation and industry credibility while doing so is not a liability.
Customers—young and old—can appreciate a business with some age spots. Consider how many people flock to the candle-lit Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar in New Orleans, which claims it is the city’s oldest bar, or how hard it is to get tickets to see the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, which opened in 1912. Brooks Brothers, the oldest men’s clothier in the United States, has been around since 1818, and Macy’s opened its doors in 1858.
The key for longtime retailers may be to pair their old-fashioned vibe with new technology and fresh business practices. Show off the antique showcases and chandeliers inside your store and pay tribute to your great-grandparents who opened the business, but make sure you do so with high-resolution photographs on your up-to-date Web site.
Tell your best customers about your cigar party through the usual phone calls or mailers, but post it on Facebook too. Setting up a page is free. So is a Twitter account, which will help you send
out quick same-day reminders. Research has shown that jewelry stores are considered intimidating. Putting your store on one of these social networking sites with fun photos and some snappy text about store happenings can prove otherwise.
Those using dusty ledgers to track inventory versus a computerized inventory management system that can pinpoint fast-selling merchandise should at least look into the latter. After getting over the initial hump of figuring out how the system works, it could save money and time.
Even the oldest of retailers must, in the end, reflect today’s consumers. Younger consumers might appreciate your store’s history, but if they can’t find you on Google, you might as well not exist.
If there’s one thing I learned in Vegas, it’s this: Reflecting who your customers are now is a tradition worth starting, and keeping.
More on Editors
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
Weekly QuizMay 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description SoftwareGemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Graff Unveils New Las Vegas FlagshipThe 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.
CrimeMay 28, 2025
8 Convicted in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Heist TrialAging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic WinThe WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.
