AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
OtherJan 04, 2015
8 New Year’s resolutions from retailers
At a time when many people are focusing on their health and happiness for the next year, jewelers across the country share with National Jeweler what goals they’ve set for 2015.
New York--With the New Year comes the opportunity to set and, hopefully, achieve new goals, both personally and professionally.
National Jeweler asked retailers across the country what resolutions they had set for either themselves or their stores in 2015.
Here’s what they had to say.
Jake Spigelman
Jay Roberts Jewelers, Marlton, N.J.
Spigelman has both a resolution and a goal for 2015.
The resolution: Engage in e-commerce by selling the brands he can online. “That’s certainly a direction our business is headed in. (But) right now, I don’t do it at all.”
The goal is to have a better year, aided by Mother Nature. “This year, we were hampered by the weather the first four months of the year,” said Spigelman, whose shop is located outside of Philadelphia. “We seemed to have a snowstorm every single week.”
Daniel Niebauer, vice president of operations
Ralph Miller Jewelers & Gallery, Erie, Pa.
Keep cranking on custom. The store has five jewelers on staff and has had much success manufacturing a line of jewelry under its own brand.
Niebauer said they plan to continue to do so in 2015, pushing into more galleries and other local shops to increases sales.
The store stands by its values of quality, craftsmanship and integrity. “That’s who we are, and we have great staff. That’s the key to success, great staff.”
Bill Longnecker
Longnecker Jewelry, McCook, Neb.
When asked about his New Year’s resolution, the Nebraska retailer offered a personal goal.
“I think my resolution is to finish my apartment remodeling project,” he said, noting that it’s been eight years in the making. “That’s my resolution, to finish my apartment.”
Jim Alperin
James Alperin Jewelers, Pepper Pike, Ohio
This suburban Cleveland retailer has a very honest take on this tradition of making promises that usually center on gym memberships or new savings accounts but fizzle by February.
“I didn’t make one,” he said. “I hate breaking them.”
Debbie Fox
Fox Fine Jewelers, Ventura, Calif.
When asked what her New Year’s resolution was, Fox noted that hers was probably different from most.
“My resolution is not to work so hard, but that is because I just came off of a year of gutting and restoration of a building, expanding our staff and moving our store.”
Stephanie Weber
Weber Jewelers, Kettering, Ohio
Weber said that the store has been focused on honoring who they
are and not trying to be something that they’re not, and that’s a goal that they’re going to continue to work on in 2015.
Weber Jewelers is focusing on its past and what has set the store apart from the competition so far, and will go from there to help for the future. For example, they’ve always been strong in opals, which Weber thinks not many jewelers offer.
For the store, this also means working on education for store employees to explore this area and keep them competitive.
“It’s hard to imitate other people if that’s not who you are,” Weber said. “You can get ideas. But for the last few years, we’ve been going with what we’re strong in, and that’s what we’ll focus on this year, too.”
Susan Eisen
Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry & Watches, El Paso, Texas
For Eisen, 2015 will be all about change. Her New Year’s resolution for the store is to look closely at how things can be improved at the store.
This means not only the physical environment of the store, but the job descriptions and how they can incorporate more technology to improve efficiency. In consolidating the roles of the staff, Eisen is hoping that they will be able to give more quality time to the tasks that will build the business.
Kelly Newton
Newton’s Jewelers, Fort Smith, Ark.
Newton’s resolution for the store in 2015 is similar to Eisen’s--to find a way to be more efficient.
“As a store with a 100-year history, this is one area that we’ve really got to work on,” he said.
Newton particularly wants to work on the store’s buying: on being smarter when it comes to what and how much inventory the store buys.
More on Other
The Latest
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
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.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
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.
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.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
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.
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.
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.
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.
