CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsMay 21, 2013
A social media nightmare
By now, I am sure many of you have seen the episode of Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares featuring Arizona restaurant Amy’s Baking Company Bakery Boutique & Bistro.
I won’t recap the entire hour-long extravaganza (though it truly is something to see) or every he-said, she-said twist and turn in the social-media saga. Basically, though, the owners were criticized publicly, both on the show and later online, for their food and how they run their business. And they, perhaps, did not respond as graciously as they could have.
But in every failing lies a lesson and I think there are some great ones retailers can learn about handling “haters,” as one of the owners of Amy’s Baking Company termed her online critics.
After seeing the Amy’s Baking Company episode on Hulu last Thursday, I ran across a great article by Forbes that outlined six things one should never do on social media.
The column’s tips included waiting to cool down before writing a response (which is fine advice in almost all acrimonious situations), avoiding insults or derogatory language, and knowing, like Kenny Rogers at a card table, when to walk away from an online argument.
The article also mentioned two other tips that I thought might need some more explanation. The writer mentions not to respond to “trolls,” and I didn’t know exactly what a troll was. My first thought, after ruling out short people that live under a bridge, was that the author was referencing spambots.
But social media-savvy jeweler Dan Gordon, of Samuel Gordon Jewelers in Oklahoma City, set me straight. An online troll refers to a person that visits different web site expressly for the purpose of picking fights.
Gordon says trolls usually post using a pseudonym and a random avatar and are recognizable because they generally do not have civil debates and their arguments are without substance, basis or actual purpose. They also may pop up multiple times baiting you on the same subject; Gordon says he had one guy who kept contacting him online arguing that diamonds are not rare. He eventually blocked this person from being able to contact him.
After talking with Dan, I suddenly became aware that I had my very own troll on Twitter, whom I eventually blocked as well. I wasn’t
aware at the time, however, that I was being trolled or even that such a thing as trolling existed.
But, back to the Forbes article … in the story, the writer also mentions a website called Reddit, warning that it is “not for the weak” and that it may not be worth people’s time to respond to threads on the website “unless you have thick skin.”
Reddit is a site comprised entirely of user-generated content that allows very liberal speech and can take on a mob type of mentality. In other words, if one person doesn’t like what you’ve posted, chances are many other people are going to jump on the bandwagon. What happens on Reddit is compared to what happens in large crowds, with people losing an sense of individual responsibility and doing things they would never dream of doing if they were just by themselves.
“If you do something dumb on there,” Gordon advises, “you are definitely going to get called out and it may be by many (people).”
Consider yourself warned.
But, back to the Forbes article … in the story, the writer also mentions a website called Reddit, warning that it is “not for the weak” and that it may not be worth people’s time to respond to threads on the website “unless you have thick skin.”
Reddit is a site comprised entirely of user-generated content that allows very liberal speech and can take on a mob type of mentality. In other words, if one person doesn’t like what you’ve posted, chances are many other people are going to jump on the bandwagon. What happens on Reddit is compared to what happens in large crowds, with people losing an sense of individual responsibility and doing things they would never dream of doing if they were just by themselves.
“If you do something dumb on there,” Gordon advises, “you are definitely going to get called out and it may be by many (people).”
Consider yourself warned.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
