Independents

What Spicer Greene Had to Say About Its Controversial Ad

IndependentsMar 29, 2017

What Spicer Greene Had to Say About Its Controversial Ad

Spicer Greene Jewelers’ “Throw Rocks at Girls” billboard sparked a nationwide debate. Here’s what they, and marketing experts, had to say about the campaign.

Asheville, N.C.--When Asheville, North Carolina jewelry store Spicer Greene Jewelers posted a billboard last week with the phrase “Sometimes, it’s ok to throw rocks at girls…” surrounded by images of diamonds and colored gemstones, they had no idea it would generate so much publicity.

“The intent was to be reminiscent of a childhood teaching, that it’s not OK to throw rocks at anybody, but if you're going to we’d rather have it be one from us,” said co-owner Eva-Michelle Spicer.



Spicer said that the ad was a play on words and that any literal violent connotation, “was not its intent. We don’t condone violence of any kind of toward anyone.”

The billboard swiftly met outrage online, leading the store to issue an apology on their Facebook page last Thursday that stated: “To whom we have offended with our recent billboard, please accept our apologies … We are humble enough to realize when we make a mistake.”

Sunday afternoon, a small group of people protested outside of the store.

Spicer Greene was aware of the forthcoming protest and donated 10 percent of sales from the preceding Thursday through Sunday, the day of the protest, to Helpmate, a local domestic violence agency, and Our Voice, a rape crisis services organization.

Spicer said that they have worked with these organizations, and other community organizations, prior to the controversy. “We've been supporters of Helpmate and Our Voice for many years,” she said.

Despite the apology and subsequent donations, by this week, the ad had gained so much traction on various social media forums that the story was picked up nationally by news outlets like Time, CNN and The Washington Post.

“I think that (the negative reaction) was started by a small group of very loud people who wanted to get attention focused on the billboard. Then Chelsea Clinton tweeted about it and it was a slow day in news,” Spicer said.



Marketing and public relations experts interviewed by National Jeweler about the billboard controversy said the old adage “There is no such thing as bad publicity” doesn’t necessarily apply in this case.

“Good copywriting is worth the money one has to pay,” said Andrea Hansen, founder and president of Luxe Intelligence, a luxury jewelry brand consultancy.

“This could have easily been averted if only they had said, ‘The only time when it’s OK to throw rocks at girls…’ It’s still cheeky, it’s still
a play on words, and it’s socially sensitive at the same time.”

Though personally Hansen said that her first reaction was, “Do we have to make a big deal of everything these days?” she noted the importance of understanding one’s core audience.

“Attitudes are changing, consumer behavior is changing very fast and while brands must be authentic, and react in real time to issues like this, often the insider perspective is too clouded. Ask an outsider to validate your findings, opinions and plans,” she advised.

Meghan Folsom, co-founder and director of public relations at accessories showroom Mega Mega Projects, agreed that Spicer Greene Jewelers misjudged their audience.

“Even though I find this ad inappropriate and offensive, if (Spicer Greene) were to use in it private email marketing directed specifically towards their adult customer base, it would not be causing the same social uproar,” she said, in reference to the criticism leveled at Spicer Greene for the fact that children would see the ad and not necessarily understand the context.

Folsom said that the ad has offended people in far-reaching ways, showing a disconnect with contemporary consumer values.

“Beyond the implications of violence towards women, I find the sexist undertones of this ad to be demeaning on many levels. Self-purchasing women make up a huge part of the jewelry business in today’s market,” Folsom said. “Not only is this store tacitly making light of domestic violence, but they are also implying that women need to have jewelry purchased for them by men.”

The silver lining of the controversy for Spicer has been the support she’s received in the jewelry industry, as well as from the public.

Spicer explained to National Jeweler that the reactions to the campaign had actually been mainly positive.

“Overwhelmingly, people have loved the billboard,” she said. “About 3 percent (of reactions) have been negative.”

“I’d really like to thank the industry. It’s been amazing. The Jewelers Helping Jewelers Facebook group really rallied around us and supported us and we’re blessed to be in an industry with such caring people,” she said.

When asked if it plans to take down the billboard, Spicer said that the store intends to move up its summer marketing campaign to replace the current ad, but that the timing of that is up to the company that owns the billboards and runs its advertising services.

Hansen told National Jeweler that donating funds to organizations that combat domestic violence was the right move for Spicer Greene Jewelers to make, no matter their intention with the ad.

“Perception is reality,” she concluded. “In the arena of public opinion, that’s the only truth that matters.”
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Victorian Burmese sapphire and diamond brooch
AuctionsApr 04, 2025
25-Carat Burmese Sapphire Brooch Sells for $101K

A pink topaz Belle Époque pendant-brooch and a Victorian Egyptian Revival choker were also highlights at a recent Anderson & Garland sale.

Mason Kay International Jade Summit 2025 Graphic
SourcingApr 04, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade to Hold Inaugural International Jade Summit

The event, which will co-locate with the Monterey Bay Jade Festival, will bring education sessions focused on jade to the United States.

Heather B. Moore Lily of the Valley Oval Charm
CollectionsApr 04, 2025
Piece of the Week: Heather B. Moore’s ‘Lily of the Valley’ Charm

The charm is a celebration of springtime as April showers bring May flowers with the piece’s cluster of diamond raindrops.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Stock image of people shopping in a mall
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRF

The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.

Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Tallulah Willis’ Engagement Ring
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With Magic

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

158.2-carat yellow diamond from Diavik
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Buccellati Naturalia exhibition
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in Milan

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.

Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural color diamonds on display at Smithsonian National Museum of History
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Punchmark
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client Workshop

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy