TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
SurveysOct 11, 2017
50 Jewelers/50 States: Tennessee
Rone Regency Jewelers is facing competition from the internet but its excellent customer service keeps it relevant in the digital age.
Rone Regency Jewelers if facing competition from the internet but its excellent customer service keeps it relevant in the digital age.
Chattanooga, Tenn.--In 50 Jewelers/50 States, National Jeweler interviews one retailer in each of the 50 U.S. states to find out how they are meeting the challenges of the changing retail environment.
Rone Regency Jewelers opened in 1944 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Bob Mason has been with the store for 47 years, working under the original store owner until he retired. “He’s like a father to me,” said Mason. “He left us a great foundation and he taught me a lot.”
Mason and his wife, Sherry, became the owners of the store in 2006.
Mason told National Jeweler about the challenges he’s facing due to competition from the internet, and how his store’s focus on customer service is keeping them relevant, even in the digital age. 
National Jeweler: What’s the biggest challenge your store is facing today?
Bob Mason: I think the biggest challenge is the internet--trying to get customers to understand the value of purchasing at a local brick-and-mortar store where you can walk in and get service immediately, or if you have an issue with a watch or a ring or whatever it is, you don’t have to ship it back anywhere.
A local retailer like us, we’re going to stand behind it 100 percent. If somebody buys an engagement ring from me and the stone comes out of it, we replace it free.
NJ: What’s the top-selling category at your store?
BM: Watches and engagement rings are about even; watches are our best.
NJ: What’s your top-selling brand?
BM: In the watches it would be Rolex and Breitling; primarily Rolex is the number one seller for us.
NJ: Describe your regional customer.
BM: We’ve been fortunate and blessed enough to have customers literally all over the United States. People who have lived in Chattanooga and moved away, or people who refer their friends to us because of the service we’ve given them over all these years.
I worked on a foundation in New York for 20-plus years. Through that relationship I got a lot of customers and clients from all over the country.
It’s really a wide range of people and at every economic level. Our customer based in Chattanooga is probably in their 20s up to their 70s. When you’ve been in business as we have
for 73 years, you develop a lot of long-term, generational relationships.
It’s kind of an even gender breakdown. Today we have a lot of ladies, because of the designers my wife has put in, who come in and self-shop. It’s really nice and we build wish lists for those husbands who need help in their purchasing.
NJ: What’s the most popular style of engagement ring with your clientele now?
BM: A popular style would be white gold or platinum metals and cushion-cut diamonds, which are very popular with us, as well as ovals, which have come on very strong recently, and, of course, with a halo and diamonds running down the shank of the ring.
NJ: Which social media accounts are important to your business?
BM: We’re very active on Facebook.
NJ: Do you have e-commerce?
BM: We do not. It’s not for us right now.
NJ: What’s the best piece of advice you’d offer to a fellow independent jeweler?
BM: You know, just give great service. We just received the award of best jewelry store in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the 10th year in the row. There are only, I think, 12 companies in the city that have achieved that for all various, different kinds of business, but we got best jewelry store 10 years in a row and I think it’s because of our service.
We’re not going to let anyone else do something for one of our customers that we can do. Even if we lose money to make sure we stand behind what we sold that customer, we’re going to do it because we’re going to take great care of them.
NJ: What’s a fun fact about you we can share with our readers?
BM: I enjoy what I do. I truly do. It’s really a labor of love for me because I love the people. I’ve been here 47 years. The customers who come into our store are like family for me. I sell engagement rings to young ladies who I held when they were babies; sometimes, I even held their mothers when they were babies.
I love to travel and my wife loves to travel, so we’re trying to do some more of that. For many years I took very little time off and now I’m trying to take some time off so she and I can enjoy traveling together.
It’s kind of an even gender breakdown. Today we have a lot of ladies, because of the designers my wife has put in, who come in and self-shop. It’s really nice and we build wish lists for those husbands who need help in their purchasing.
NJ: What’s the most popular style of engagement ring with your clientele now?
BM: A popular style would be white gold or platinum metals and cushion-cut diamonds, which are very popular with us, as well as ovals, which have come on very strong recently, and, of course, with a halo and diamonds running down the shank of the ring.
NJ: Which social media accounts are important to your business?
BM: We’re very active on Facebook.
NJ: Do you have e-commerce?
BM: We do not. It’s not for us right now.
NJ: What’s the best piece of advice you’d offer to a fellow independent jeweler?
BM: You know, just give great service. We just received the award of best jewelry store in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the 10th year in the row. There are only, I think, 12 companies in the city that have achieved that for all various, different kinds of business, but we got best jewelry store 10 years in a row and I think it’s because of our service.
We’re not going to let anyone else do something for one of our customers that we can do. Even if we lose money to make sure we stand behind what we sold that customer, we’re going to do it because we’re going to take great care of them.
NJ: What’s a fun fact about you we can share with our readers?
BM: I enjoy what I do. I truly do. It’s really a labor of love for me because I love the people. I’ve been here 47 years. The customers who come into our store are like family for me. I sell engagement rings to young ladies who I held when they were babies; sometimes, I even held their mothers when they were babies.
I love to travel and my wife loves to travel, so we’re trying to do some more of that. For many years I took very little time off and now I’m trying to take some time off so she and I can enjoy traveling together.
More on Surveys
The Latest
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
