EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
Events & AwardsMar 14, 2016
From JA NY: Using Referrals to Get Clients through the Doors
Rather than paying up front for marketing that might not show results, jewelers should use referral systems that get clients into the store at a low cost.
New York--Finding the right marketing plan can be difficult for jewelers, many of which will put a substantial budget toward trying to find the right mix of things without really even knowing if it’s working.
At an education session held Sunday afternoon at the JA New York Spring show, Ascend Marketing Inc. President Jim Ackerman suggested an option for retailers that, while not necessarily new or revolutionary, brings people in the door for less than what most advertising costs: referrals.
Self-generated leads can provide a strong marketing method for retailers to drive new and existing customers through the door at little cost up, Ackerman said. And since people tend to associate with similarly situated individuals, referrals can bring in “clones,” so to speak, of top existing customers.
According to Ackerman, referral selling offers a number of key advantages: no real up-front cost of acquisition, an easier and faster close, a higher unit of sale in general, less price sensitivity and greater long-term loyalty. Referred customers also are more likely to tell others about the store.
Asking for referrals, however, must be done correctly and depends a lot on attitude, Ackerman said.
Rather than directly asking the customer to make a referral to help the business, it’s important to word it in such a way that makes it “a matter of you serving the customer” and doing what’s in their interest rather than the other way around.
There are two kinds of referral systems, pro-active and passive, Ackerman said.
Passive referrals provide an incentive for when a customer sends a referral but can take time because then the store has to wait for them.
According to Ackerman, an example of a successful passive referral program would start with sending a letter to a store’s existing customer base introducing the system and how it works. Included with that would be a certificate that has a space for them to write their names. That way, when a new customer comes in the store will know who referred them.
Once a referral comes in, the store should send the referring customer a letter giving them their reward as well as additional certificates to encourage more referrals.
Rewards can be either in-store or external, such as a gift certificate to a local restaurant.
A pro-active referral, meanwhile, rewards customers offering referral contact information on the spot. This provides retailers with names
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
and information right away but means they have to do some relationship building.
Ackerman said he recommends jewelers use a combination of the two within their stores, and said there are seven key characteristics to making referral programs successful.
They are:
--Offering incentives for the referring customer;
--Offering incentives for the referred customers;
--Creating the necessary support and promotional materials;
--Creating scripts for salespeople and staff;
--Offering training for salespeople and staff;
--Having tracking systems to reward customers for referrals; and
--Having a tracking system to make sure the process is working.
Ackerman said he recommends jewelers use a combination of the two within their stores, and said there are seven key characteristics to making referral programs successful.
They are:
--Offering incentives for the referring customer;
--Offering incentives for the referred customers;
--Creating the necessary support and promotional materials;
--Creating scripts for salespeople and staff;
--Offering training for salespeople and staff;
--Having tracking systems to reward customers for referrals; and
--Having a tracking system to make sure the process is working.
Another idea to create self-generating leads for the store is a guest/host joint venture program, which aligns the store with non-competitive but complementary businesses in the area. One good example are those also in the bridal/wedding planning industry.
In this partnership, the retailer would endorse the joint venture to its list of customers. The joint venture partner would agree to give the jeweler’s customers a better-than-normal deal as well as cut the jeweler in for a piece of the profits.
That joint venture also can reciprocate by endorsing the jewelry store to its base of customers.
It’s important that the jeweler go to a business with a clear idea of what the partnership terms will include, Ackerman said, and negotiate the terms thoroughly, including who will pay for the promotional material costs as well as when and how commissions are paid. It’s also extremely important for the jeweler to be true to all terms of the partnership.
Finding businesses that might agree to a guest/host joint venture and setting up the partnership will take some time, Ackerman said, but that shouldn’t stop retailers from trying it.
“Why should you? Because your competitors won’t.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
