Sponsored by American Gem Trade Association
Consumers Prefer Traditional Retail, Make Your Store The One They Choose
The consumer landscape is constantly changing and evolving, and recent events have shifted our attention to strengthening our omnichannel strategies with a focus on digital communications.

Brought To You By Platinum Guild International
The consumer landscape is constantly changing and evolving, and recent events have shifted our attention to strengthening our omnichannel strategies with a focus on digital communications. During a year filled with uncertainty and difficult times, it has been essential to maintain open communication with your consumers to foster existing relationships and cultivate new ones so that they choose your door(s) when it is time to celebrate themselves or loved ones.
Although consumers will complete the information gathering stage of the purchase journey online, they will look in store to talk to an expert, touch and feel the jewelry, and have a live, interactive experience prior to purchasing.
A recent study commissioned by PGI USA revealed that next to speaking with a spouse/partner/fiancé, the in-store experience at a retail jewelry store delivers the most influential touchpoints in the consumer’s decision to buy an engagement ring and/or wedding band.
Beyond the advice and opinion of their loved ones, these were the experiences they found most important and inspiring:
- Talking to retailers before they’re ready to make a purchase (63%)
- Looking at in-store jewelry displays (65%)
- Browsing store window displays (55%)
Consumers will always crave experiences, but it’s time for us to remember that going to a jewelry store is an experience that is essential when it comes to selecting jewelry that symbolizes and celebrates life’s most precious moments.
Topics include: recent consumer research results to better connect with the consumer walking into your store, the history and heritage of platinum, the most important characteristics and benefits of the metal and tips on transforming the customer experience. The goal is to help differentiate you from your competition, deliver better value to your customers and more profit to your bottom line.
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Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.


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The lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.

Two suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.

Finsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.

Michel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.

Longtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.

The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.

Jamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.

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The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.

Honest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.

QVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.

The brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.

Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.

Sponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers

Cloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.

Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.

Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.

The “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.

Museum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.





















