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.
IndependentsOct 06, 2016
7 Shots of a Fla. Jeweler Preparing for Hurricane Matthew
The team at J.R. Dunn Jewelers has taken a number of precautions to secure the store before the storm makes landfall, learning from its past experiences.
J.R. Dunn Jewelers in Lighthouse Point, Fla. prepares for Hurricane Matthew to make landfall.
Lighthouse Point, Fla.--J.R. Dunn Jewelers has weathered a storm before, and it’s learned from its experiences.
In 2005, Hurricane Wilma hit. Though the store only suffered minor structural damage, it was without power for almost 10 days, leading store owner Jim Dunn to sleep there on an air mattress with a shotgun at his side for the duration.
Once the storm was over, the team continued with clean-up and painting, even as the store remained without power.
They even managed to make a sale, showing one of the store’s regular customers a 3-carat, H color, VS2 clarity diamond out in the parking lot. The setting actually ended up providing just the light right for the diamond to sparkle, and sure enough, they sold the stone.
Now, as Hurricane Matthew nears, and is expected to hit Florida Thursday night, J.R. Dunn Jewelers--located in Lighthouse Point in the southern part of the state--is taking the lessons it learned from Wilma as it prepares the store for the storm.
Sales Manager Andrew Lefton is pictured here in his “Team J.R. Dunn Jewelers” shirt as he helps secure the hurricane shutters before Hurricane Matthew makes landfall. As security of the employees and their families also was a top priority, a number of team members arrived early in the morning to secure the store and then were sent home to allow time for their own preparations.
The company said it learned a few lessons from Hurricane Wilma more than a decade ago--it now has a big commercial generator, and battened down the hatches earlier this time around.
Covering the showcases, unplugging the computers and telephones and moving desk and office supplies to higher ground in case of flooding is an important part of storm prep. Storms shutters were also put on the showroom windows.
The store’s jewelers finalize hurricane preparations.
J.R. Dunn is ready to continue to do business online at all times as the hurricane comes through--the retailer has forwarded its main toll-free number to the e-commerce sales teams’ cell phones to maintain the same level of service. Pictured here is the street-side of the J.R. Dunn e-commerce building, with a little graffiti message to show its online ordering systems will be up no matter how big the storm gets.
The team also added a lighter mood to the messages it left on the blank wooden boards on its e-commerce building, with this one reading “#HurricaneMatthew. A Storm So Nice It Might Hit Twice. #BeSafe,” playing off of some forecasts that the storm could loop around and hit Florida a second time.
Store founder Jim Dunn got in on the action of helping prepare the store before the storm.
More on Independents
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.
