Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
EditorsJul 30, 2015
Just call me Mr. Wonderful
Senior Editor Hannah Connorton channeled her inner investor this week to participate in a panel designed to help new designers with their sales pitches and collections.
I got to be a shark this week.
Well, not literally, but figuratively. Have you seen the ABC show Shark Tank? It’s where entrepreneurs present their ideas to a panel of “sharks”—a group of wildly successful and business-savvy businessmen and women, among them Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran and Kevin O’Leary, a/k/a Mr. Wonderful—and try to get one or more of the sharks to invest in their idea.
Jeweler’s Resource Bureau President Cindy Edelstein borrowed from this concept recently to create “The Big Pitch,” where 12 new designers from the recently held JA New York Summer show were invited to present their jewelry collection to a panel of retailers and one member of the press (yours truly). We the panel were asked to give the designers advice and feedback, including praise and constructive criticism, both verbally and in writing.
Edelstein, who also is a consultant to the JA New York shows for its designer pavilions, brought a range of designers and brands to The Big Pitch, opening the panel to first-time JA NY exhibitors from the show’s New Designer Gallery, American Craft Council showcase, Accessories showcase, Design Lab and Wearable Tech pavilion.
To keep everything fair (and get it done in a reasonable amount of time), the designers had just a few minutes each to present, followed by a few minutes of questions and feedback from the panel.
For an inaugural event it ran incredibly smoothly. Each jewelry-maker adhered to their allotted time (thanks to Cindy’s stopwatch-wielding husband, Frank) and, in my opinion, received invaluable information from the very people with whom many of these designers wish to do business.
Nadine, founder of jewelry e-tailer Stone & Strand, and I check out the jewelry and materials for a new designer during the panel.
The panel was invited to touch and try on the jewelry, as well as ask any question to help them understand a collection better.
in anyone’s collections during the panel. Many of the designers presented unique, innovative and truly original designs that truly impressed me.
But it was productive to be able to tell a designer their pieces may be too heavy, they might want to introduce their collection with more options, their prices are too low, etc. For a new designer, what could be better than getting honest feedback from those with whom you hope to work? And for retailers and editors, what better chance to use your industry and marketplace knowledge to help someone succeed?
“It was a great event,” Edelstein told me Wednesday. “The designers learned so much, from how to make a succinct two-minute pitch to how to handle the pressure of multiple retailers asking questions at once. Just hearing the different questions gives insight into the way a wholesale line needs to be merchandised so that it can please a buyer.”
She added that several of the designers got immediate orders following the panel.
“The retailers all said they had a great time, found lines they might not have discovered on their own, and even found value listening to the other retailer’s questions and comment. All in all, it was a win-win event for everyone,” she said.
I couldn’t agree more.
But it was productive to be able to tell a designer their pieces may be too heavy, they might want to introduce their collection with more options, their prices are too low, etc. For a new designer, what could be better than getting honest feedback from those with whom you hope to work? And for retailers and editors, what better chance to use your industry and marketplace knowledge to help someone succeed?
“It was a great event,” Edelstein told me Wednesday. “The designers learned so much, from how to make a succinct two-minute pitch to how to handle the pressure of multiple retailers asking questions at once. Just hearing the different questions gives insight into the way a wholesale line needs to be merchandised so that it can please a buyer.”
She added that several of the designers got immediate orders following the panel.
“The retailers all said they had a great time, found lines they might not have discovered on their own, and even found value listening to the other retailer’s questions and comment. All in all, it was a win-win event for everyone,” she said.
I couldn’t agree more.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
