Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
The Smart Lab: 3 Competitive Advantages of Paid Search
It’s a key element to securing the attention of shoppers online, Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb writes.

As a jeweler in 2019, you want to make sure you have a solid digital marketing strategy to gain the attention of online shoppers in your area.
Any good digital marketing strategy will include a mix of different forms of marketing, but most of your budget likely will be allocated to paid search. Here are three reasons why paid search is so important.
Reason #1: Competitors Can Buy Your Name Online
Paid search is one of the best ways to direct traffic to your website. You can make sure your site appears at the top of the search results on Google by bidding on specific keywords.
When people search for things online, Google divides what the person typed in the search bar into different “keywords.” Advertisers can then bid money on these different keywords and the amount of money (combined with several other factors, such as brand reputation quality) determines which advertiser’s ad gets served to the person searching.
The game to win the attention of shoppers online is fiercely competitive. One strategy your competitors might use is buying your company’s name so that their company appears ahead of, or right under, yours when someone searches, as we see below with Rare Carat and Blue Nile.
Imagine having someone search for your jewelry store only to end up on your competitor’s website! (Editor’s note: While it is legal to bid on your competitor’s name so that your ad appears, you are not allowed to use your competitor’s name in the ad copy; Jensen Jewelers accused Signet Jewelers-owned chain Zalesof engaging in this practice and sued the company in federal court last January.)
To avoid this nightmare scenario, make sure you have a paid search strategy in place.
Reason #2: You Can Ensure Top Placement For “High-Intent” Searches
The words people type into Google’s search bar can be used to determine their intent for the search.
High-intent searches include keywords like “buy” or “near me.” When companies bid for these keywords and appear high in the search rankings, they are more likely to make a sale than companies that do not implement such keywords.
Reason #3: You Can Appear Before Your Competitors for the Same Searches
You might think there isn’t a big difference in appearing first, second or third in a Google search. The data, however, tells us that the difference can mean a lot in terms of profit.
When thousands of people are searching online, the difference in these numbers can mean a lot in terms of your bottom line and/or in-store traffic.
As you can see, the importance of paid search in a digital marketing strategy cannot be overstated.
According to Gartner L2, a New York-based research firm, the jewelry industry continues to lag behind other industries online. Jewelry brands and stores that invest heavily online now will have an early-mover advantage.
Emmanuel Raheb is the CEO of Smart Age Solutions, a digital ad agency and coveted Premier Google Partner. With nearly 18 years’ digital marketing and e-commerce experience, Raheb is passionate about helping and strategically growing national jewelry brands and local retailers alike. Contact him at eraheb@smartagesolutions.com.
The Latest

The credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.

Kimberly Miller has been promoted to the role.

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

The “Serenity” charm set with 13 opals is a modern amulet offering protection, guidance, and intention, the brand said.


“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.

Founded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

The jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.

The singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.

The nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.

As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.

The trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.

January’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.

The annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.

Footage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.

The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.

The Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”

Linda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.

The governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.

Sparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.

The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.

In its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.

Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.

Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.

Shekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.

This year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.






















