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.
EditorsMar 03, 2014
Three takeaways from my digital panel
When it comes to educational sessions at jewelry trade shows, I am usually in the audience, scribbling notes furiously for a future story.
I had a total of four panelists who so generously and enthusiastically donated a few hours of their Sunday to participate: diamond wholesaler Marc Knobloch, Jewelers of America’s Matt Tratner, Keith Adwar of Adwar Casting and Diane Warga-Arias, an occasional columnist for this publication who also does brand development and appears on HSN.
From behind the podium, I was not able to take notes in the same copious manner I would have had I been sitting in the audience. Perhaps, though, it wasn’t such a bad thing to do less furious scribbling and more listening and absorbing.
In any case, here are three great takeaways from the discussion for those of you unable to join us in New York on Sunday.
1) Even if retailers hire an outside agency or extra staff member to handle social media, they still need to understand it. Diane said retailers need to put the same love into building their online brand, website and social media presence, as they did when they first opened their store. Even if retailers use a marketing company or hire someone specifically to do social media, it doesn’t excuse them from understanding it or keeping tabs on posts, tweets and pins.
It’s perfectly fine if you don’t know anything about social media and have to learn as you go along. Diane had a great quote on this point, something to the effect of, “You learn to drive a car while driving.”
2) Anthropologie, Greenwich Jewelers in New York, Kravit Jewelers in Oceanside, N.Y. and Starbucks. What do all of these names have in common? They were all mentioned by panelists (to be clear, Anthropologie was actually the moderator’s mention) as being examples of retailers who are providing a good experience for customers in store and/or online. Anthropologie is a retailer of clothing and fashion jewelry, some of which borders on being fine. Greenwich Jewelers is a store located here in New York City while Kravit Jewelers is on Long Island. I think everybody knows what Starbucks is.
Visit these retailers’ websites, go into their stores, sign up for their emails and check them out on
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. They are doing good things, and there’s no reason not to learn from them even if they are not all sellers of fine jewelry. In fact, if you ask me, I think jewelers could learn a lot by taking a page from the digital innovation of retailers outside the industry.
3) Make it easy for people to buy from you by selling online. People today think more carefully about purchases before plunking down their hard-earned and, for many, dwindling dollars. I know I do.
On a Friday a few weeks ago, I (shockingly) got away from desk at lunchtime for an hour and wandered into the nearby Nine West shoe store. (Add Nine West to the list of stores whose websites you should study. They do a really good job online.)
In there, I saw the wine-colored suede version of a pair of high-heeled black booties that I already have and love. They were on sale, but I still wasn’t entirely sold. Do I really need them? Do I have outfits I can wear them with? Do I already own something similar? So I left the store without them. I have this rule about shopping that I’ve instituted in the wake of the recession that also correlates with the rise of e-commerce: I don’t buy something unless I absolutely love it. More often than not, this means I leave the story empty-handed and go through the physical closet check I mentioned above when I get home. If I feel like the shoe, bag or dress fills a gap in my wardrobe and I can’t stop thinking about it, then I buy. If the desire fades or I decide that it’s too similar to something I already own, then I don’t. Sometimes purchasing involves going back to the store but, more often than not, it happens online. I’ve done this a lot with Nine West and also with Anthropologie, which I brought up during the panel as being an example of a retailer that has a great in store and online experience.
This is all a somewhat-long-winded way of saying: You have to give people today the chance to shop when and where they want to, a statement backed up by Matt during Sunday’s panel. Matt brought up the example of a couple browsing a jewelry store one afternoon that is really interested in a ring. They leave without it, which is understandable. It’s a big purchase. But then they go home and the wife still really wants the ring so the husband decides to go ahead and get it for her (always the right choice, in my opinion.) Make it easy on him. Put it online and let him buy from home, right then and there.
3) Make it easy for people to buy from you by selling online. People today think more carefully about purchases before plunking down their hard-earned and, for many, dwindling dollars. I know I do.
On a Friday a few weeks ago, I (shockingly) got away from desk at lunchtime for an hour and wandered into the nearby Nine West shoe store. (Add Nine West to the list of stores whose websites you should study. They do a really good job online.)
In there, I saw the wine-colored suede version of a pair of high-heeled black booties that I already have and love. They were on sale, but I still wasn’t entirely sold. Do I really need them? Do I have outfits I can wear them with? Do I already own something similar? So I left the store without them. I have this rule about shopping that I’ve instituted in the wake of the recession that also correlates with the rise of e-commerce: I don’t buy something unless I absolutely love it. More often than not, this means I leave the story empty-handed and go through the physical closet check I mentioned above when I get home. If I feel like the shoe, bag or dress fills a gap in my wardrobe and I can’t stop thinking about it, then I buy. If the desire fades or I decide that it’s too similar to something I already own, then I don’t. Sometimes purchasing involves going back to the store but, more often than not, it happens online. I’ve done this a lot with Nine West and also with Anthropologie, which I brought up during the panel as being an example of a retailer that has a great in store and online experience.
This is all a somewhat-long-winded way of saying: You have to give people today the chance to shop when and where they want to, a statement backed up by Matt during Sunday’s panel. Matt brought up the example of a couple browsing a jewelry store one afternoon that is really interested in a ring. They leave without it, which is understandable. It’s a big purchase. But then they go home and the wife still really wants the ring so the husband decides to go ahead and get it for her (always the right choice, in my opinion.) Make it easy on him. Put it online and let him buy from home, right then and there.
More on Editors
The Latest
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.
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.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
