CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Events & AwardsJan 18, 2015
How jewelers can keep it simple, tell a story
During her keynote address at the JA NY Winter show, MSNBC host JJ Ramberg spoke of the need for retailers to simplify their businesses and explain the “why” behind their stores.
“It’s going to take a lot of time, it’s going to take a lot of tests and it’s going to take a lot of talking to your customers,” JJ Ramberg said of developing the story behind a store.
New York--The JA New York Winter show opened Sunday with a trio of screaming children.
Don’t worry; they weren’t lost.
The children are the two sons and one daughter of JJ Ramberg, an entrepreneur and host of Your Business on MSNBC. She delivered the keynote address as the show opened on Sunday morning, starting her presentation with a home video of her three young children, all in an unhappy state.
In addition to engaging the audience, Ramberg’s video made a point: Whether it’s children, other family obligations or something else, entrepreneurs lives are busy. They need to make running their businesses as simple as possible, to “uncomplicate” them.
“We are not just running our businesses,” she said. “We are running our lives.”
She talked about a Your Business makeover episode that profiled the Monterey Bay Silver Co. in California.
The problems they found likely will sound familiar to many jewelers: the company had too many stores, too much cash tied up in inventory that wasn’t moving, and didn’t have any kind of point-of-sale system so they had no idea what was popular among customers and what wasn’t.
Your Business gave the store one of its makeovers, which are similar to what chef Gordon Ramsey does on his show Kitchen Nightmares, where he and his crew overhaul ailing restaurants.
They consolidated the business from four locations into one and had a design company overhaul the interior. They got the jewelry store a POS system and recommended that the store employee tucked away in a tiny room in the back re-stringing pearls, a service heavily marketed by the store, be brought up front so customers can watch her at work.
These changes simplified the business, helping the store and its owners. “What we do,” Ramberg said, “is not brain surgery.”
During her presentation, Ramberg also told of the need for retailers today to have a story behind their store--a “why” explaining their reason for being in business--and to make it an experience, not just a place to shop.
A store’s story could be anything: that they are a third-generation jeweler that’s been in the same spot for decades; that they are a store that is committed to ethical sourcing and fair trade products; or that they are a store that’s extremely fashion-forward and on top of all the trends.
Whatever that story is, it has to be
told the same across all platforms--in the store and its merchandise mix, on the website and across social media. And, Ramberg noted, it has to be understood and expressed by all employees.
Examples she provided of companies with a good why, a solid story, were Tattly, whose mission can be read here, and the aptly named Story, a Manhattan store where the owner changes out the theme every eight weeks.
“Consumers can buy things pretty much everywhere,” Ramberg told the audience. “But they want to shop at your store because it’s infused with this ‘why’.
“Your store has to really have this ‘why.’”
The JA New York Winter show continues through Tuesday at the Javits center.
Examples she provided of companies with a good why, a solid story, were Tattly, whose mission can be read here, and the aptly named Story, a Manhattan store where the owner changes out the theme every eight weeks.
“Consumers can buy things pretty much everywhere,” Ramberg told the audience. “But they want to shop at your store because it’s infused with this ‘why’.
“Your store has to really have this ‘why.’”
The JA New York Winter show continues through Tuesday at the Javits center.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
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.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 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.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
