CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
SurveysMay 15, 2017
50 Jewelers/50 States: Connecticut
Soon to reach 120 years in business, one of the keys to Lux Bond & Green’s success is being open to changing with the times.
Connecticut jeweler Lux Bond & Green opened in 1898 in Waterbury. Today, the company has six store locations, four in Connecticut and two in Massachusetts.
West Hartford, Conn.--Amid the changing and challenging retail environment, the editorial team at National Jeweler wondered how macro trends--from online shopping to serving new generations of consumers--have affected jewelers in disparate parts of the country.
In order to find out, we launched a series called 50 Jewelers/50 States, in which we interview one retailer in each of the 50 U.S. states.
Connecticut retailer Lux Bond & Green opened in 1898 under the leadership of M.A. Green.
Nearly 120 years later, Green’s great-grandson, John A. Green, who joined the family business in 1978, is the president and CEO.
Today, Lux Bond & Green has six store locations, four in Connecticut and two in Massachusetts.
Green spoke to National Jeweler about the importance of staying open-minded and embracing new methods of communication.
National Jeweler: What’s the biggest challenge your store is facing?
John A. Green: I think the same thing that challenges every brick-and-mortar business today: evolving your business in today’s new retail world.
People’s habits are changing, the way people shop is changing, the way we do business is changing, and we have to bring a great professional staff into those changes.
My challenge really is bringing 90-plus people into the new retail world.
NJ: What’s the top-selling item or brand at your store?
JAG: The two-top selling categories are definitely bridal and watches.
NJ: What’s the most popular style of engagement ring with your clientele?
JAG: The round brilliant is still our bread-and-butter engagement ring, ranging from 1 1/2 to 2 carats. We pay close attention to the beauty and value of the gemstone.
Our customers’ favorite setting is always platinum with brilliant diamonds on the side and most ladies prefer four prongs set low. It’s both practical and beautiful.
NJ: Describe your regional customer.
JAG: The customer is changing. In the olden days the customer was a well-established and well-educated business man or woman who loved great values and great designs from a name that they could trust.
That’s yesterday. Every day it’s different.
Today it’s going to be a combination of a very young person or a very old person who wants to be treated with respect and wants
to be communicated with the way they want to be communicated with.
So everything we knew in the past is out the window except our core values: Respect, confidentiality, quality, value and exceptional service.
Some people still want a phone call, some people still want an e-mail, some people want a text, some people want communication in the form of a letter, and some people want you to come to their office or their home. So we need to ask them because everyone is different today.
Some people say, “Just leave a message on my voicemail.” It’s amazing. And it’s not necessarily age specific except for probably with the younger age category, which will most likely prefer a text.
In the olden days how did you communicate with somebody? You did a radio commercial or you did an ad in a physical newspaper, that’s how you communicated with people. You didn’t call them up, you didn’t write to them, you unlocked your front door and you waited for them to come in.
If you do that today, you’re dead.
NJ: What’s your internet and social media presence like? What accounts do you have or actively use?
JAG: We’re actively using Instagram and Facebook and we’ve had an internet store tied to our inventory for 15 years. I guess we were--in our own very small way--leaders in that category and it’s evolving daily because it has to.
It’s very difficult to measure which platform is the most successful for us. Advertising and marketing have always been difficult to measure.
With all of the analytics that we’re getting today I actually think it’s even more difficult to measure. Although you can sit there and look (at different figures), true measurements are at the end of the month. The question is, “Did you have a good month?” Not, “How many people opened your e-blast or how many sales did you make on the internet?”
We’re not an internet-only company. It’s a small percentage of our overall business. So we believe that if we’ve had a good month as a company, which includes our internet store and includes our social media platforms, that we’re actually reaching and touching more people.
Because we do know that even people who shop with us physically have started going to the internet and social media to help them make a purchase.
NJ: What’s the best piece of advice you’d offer to other independent jewelry stores?
JAG: Listen to your customers. A lot of people want to tell their customers. Listen to them. If you do, they will tell you what they need.
The world is changing so quickly and that’s good. The problem is to make sure to be the agents of change.
If the owners aren’t the agents of change for their company, then the company won’t change.
NJ: What’s a fun fact about you we can share with our readers?
JAG: I met my wife at the GIA.
It was 1978 at the Santa Monica campus, which was pretty cool back then. She was in the jewelry business too.
We were supposedly the 17th couple to meet at the GIA in class and then get married.
So everything we knew in the past is out the window except our core values: Respect, confidentiality, quality, value and exceptional service.
Some people still want a phone call, some people still want an e-mail, some people want a text, some people want communication in the form of a letter, and some people want you to come to their office or their home. So we need to ask them because everyone is different today.
Some people say, “Just leave a message on my voicemail.” It’s amazing. And it’s not necessarily age specific except for probably with the younger age category, which will most likely prefer a text.
In the olden days how did you communicate with somebody? You did a radio commercial or you did an ad in a physical newspaper, that’s how you communicated with people. You didn’t call them up, you didn’t write to them, you unlocked your front door and you waited for them to come in.
If you do that today, you’re dead.
A post shared by Lux Bond & Green (@luxbondgreen) on Feb 26, 2017 at 2:28pm PST
NJ: What’s your internet and social media presence like? What accounts do you have or actively use?
JAG: We’re actively using Instagram and Facebook and we’ve had an internet store tied to our inventory for 15 years. I guess we were--in our own very small way--leaders in that category and it’s evolving daily because it has to.
It’s very difficult to measure which platform is the most successful for us. Advertising and marketing have always been difficult to measure.
With all of the analytics that we’re getting today I actually think it’s even more difficult to measure. Although you can sit there and look (at different figures), true measurements are at the end of the month. The question is, “Did you have a good month?” Not, “How many people opened your e-blast or how many sales did you make on the internet?”
We’re not an internet-only company. It’s a small percentage of our overall business. So we believe that if we’ve had a good month as a company, which includes our internet store and includes our social media platforms, that we’re actually reaching and touching more people.
Because we do know that even people who shop with us physically have started going to the internet and social media to help them make a purchase.
NJ: What’s the best piece of advice you’d offer to other independent jewelry stores?
JAG: Listen to your customers. A lot of people want to tell their customers. Listen to them. If you do, they will tell you what they need.
The world is changing so quickly and that’s good. The problem is to make sure to be the agents of change.
If the owners aren’t the agents of change for their company, then the company won’t change.
NJ: What’s a fun fact about you we can share with our readers?
JAG: I met my wife at the GIA.
It was 1978 at the Santa Monica campus, which was pretty cool back then. She was in the jewelry business too.
We were supposedly the 17th couple to meet at the GIA in class and then get married.
More on Surveys
The Latest
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceFounded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlFootage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s EditionSparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.
IndependentsJan 05, 2026
Jeweler Ben Nighthorse Campbell Dies at 92The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
MajorsDec 30, 2025
Becka Johnson Kibby to Lead Edge Retail AcademyAs part of the leadership transition, Sherry Smith will take on the role of vice president of coaching strategy and development.
SourcingDec 30, 2025
India Chosen as KP Chair for 2026It marks the third time the country has headed the Kimberley Process. Ghana will serve as vice chair.
WatchesDec 30, 2025
Bulova, Stetson Collab on Watches With Western FlairThe new Bulova x Stetson designs highlight two animals often associated with the American West—the bison and the Texas Longhorn.
