CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
SurveysOct 17, 2017
50 Jewelers/50 States: Texas
In Houston, Reiner’s Fine Jewelry relies on personal connections with customers to maintain a thriving custom business.
Houston, Texas jewelry store Reiner’s Fine Jewelry fared well during the recent deadly hurricane, closing for a few days but avoiding any water damage.
Houston--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.
Founded in 1945, Reiner’s Fine Jewelry is still a complete family affair today.
The Houston, Texas store is currently headed by four members of the Reiner family: Irvin is president and CEO; Steven is vice president, sales and merchandising; Lenny is vice president, accounting; and Bert is web master and social media chairman.
Luckily, Hurricane Harvey left Reiner’s unscathed. “Our store did OK,” Steven Reiner said. “We were closed a few days, but no water damage.”
He talked to National Jeweler about retail challenges not related to the weather, particularly how the store’s custom bridal work doesn’t gel with e-commerce.
National Jeweler: What’s the biggest challenge your store is facing today?
Steven Reiner: The biggest challenge our store is facing today is staying competitive with the internet.
NJ: What’s the top-selling category at your store?
SR: The top selling category at our store is bridal jewelry.
NJ: What’s your top-selling brand?
SR: The top selling brand at our store is CrownRing across the board.
NJ: Describe your regional customer.
SR: Our regional customer is a man in his late twenties or early thirties. We serve the greater Houston area and seem to have a diverse demographic.
NJ: What’s the most popular style of engagement ring with your clientele now?
SR: The most popular style of engagement ring is the classic traditional solitaire. It still holds true (as a) timeless fashion over time. The most popular diamond shape for our store is the round, and the most popular type of metal is 14-karat white gold.
NJ: Which social media accounts are important to your business?
SR: The social media account that is most important to our business is Facebook.
NJ: Do you have e-commerce?
SR: We do not have e-commerce. We don’t have it because with the competitive nature of e-commerce, we find it best for our store to have a one-on-one dialogue where we can correlate a 72-year tradition of a family business with the hope of building a lifelong customer.
We also do not rely on mass production of items, and therefore prefer to make each interaction with our client as unique as the diamonds they are purchasing.
NJ:
What’s the best piece of advice you’d offer to a fellow independent jeweler?
SR: The best piece of advice that I would offer to another independent jewelry store is that money cannot buy you a good reputation. Your reputation means everything when you are helping a client.
NJ: What’s a fun fact about you we can share with our readers?
SR: While attending the GIA in 1980 in Santa Monica, California, I met someone there who has become a lifelong best friend for almost 40 years.
SR: The best piece of advice that I would offer to another independent jewelry store is that money cannot buy you a good reputation. Your reputation means everything when you are helping a client.
NJ: What’s a fun fact about you we can share with our readers?
SR: While attending the GIA in 1980 in Santa Monica, California, I met someone there who has become a lifelong best friend for almost 40 years.
More on Surveys
The Latest
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
