The Jewelry District

0:35 Melissa Rose Bernardo shares a 140-year-old article from the archives of JCK Magazine on lab-grown gems.4:25 Rob Bates and Emili Vesilind discuss holiday jewelry sales.9:10 Rob and Emili discuss lab-grown diamond sales and the future of lab-grown.22:06 Emili’s Golden Globe jewelry fashion report.25:40 Emili covers the new year fashion trend “maximalism.”34:05 Rob tells the "Weird Jewelry Story of the Week39:37 Rob interviews diamond analyst Paul Zimnisky about lab-grown diamonds and the future of the industry. Hosted by: Rob BatesJCK Staff: Melissa Rose Bernardo, Emili VesilindGuest: Paul Zimnisky, Diamond AnalystEngineers: Levi Sharpe, Ed PatenaudeEditor: Jamie BergerProducer: Natalie ChometPlugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine, paulzimnisky.com Show Summary From the Archives In honor of JCK magazine’s 150th anniversary, Managing Editor Melissa Bernardo dug up an article from the February 1878 issue of The Jewelers Circular and Horological Review, which is what JCK magazine was called at the time. This over 140-year-old news item concerns something we think of as the latest technical innovation: lab-grown gems. This vintage article documents a “highly successful” attempt at producing artificial rubies and sapphires in France that “might perhaps lead to the manufacture of diamonds.” A century ago, JCK covered the prediction that lab-grown diamonds could be on the horizon. Holiday Sales and Trends Emili Vesilind reports that jewelry retailers had a solid, strong season, though she reads that traffic was slightly lower in stores, along with a more dramatic rise in online traffic. Rob says that sales went up, but not as much as it did the year before. Hopes were high, and the trends stayed fairly standard rather than having a dramatic rise. Rob and Emili also discuss lab-grown diamonds, and whether their attractive prices or their eco-friendly pitches mark a trend that has staying power. Golden Globe Trends Emili observes that the trend that emerged at the Golden Globes was a parade of glamor and maximalism. The Golden Globes marked a break from the past, when simple everyday pieces and “daily gold” had been the most prevalent trends. Now, chunky pieces are entering the scene. Emili also marks a return to ‘70s and ‘80s-style layering, as opposed to the single statement pieces of the more recent past. Weird Story of the Week Rob tells the story of a British Reddit user who gets swept up into the trend of New Years’ Eve proposals. The confused fellow who lives with his long-term girlfriend purchases an engagement ring with the intent to propose to a love interest he’s started seeing at work. On New Year’s Eve, he spontaneously proposes to his girlfriend, giving her the ring, and turns to Reddit for legal advice: is it possible to call the whole thing off and return the engagement ring? Tune in for the exciting conclusion! Interview with Diamond Analyst Paul Zimnisky Rob interviews Paul Zimnisky about how he got into the business of diamond analysis. They delve into the supply and demand of the diamond business, and their effect on pricing. Paul has observed demand for diamonds grow for the last four to five years, despite talk of fewer millennials getting married. He sees the incremental increase in supply in 2017 as a contributing factor to the pressure on diamond pricing in the recent past. Rob gets Paul’s take on how lab-grown diamonds fit into the supply/demand equation for the rest of the diamond market. Paul raises the concern about accurate sourcing of diamonds, and small lab-created diamonds making their way into the natural supply chain. They share their opinions on the future of lab-grown diamonds, and whether the end consumer will differentiate between lab-created and natural. Will they prefer one over the other and why? Though opinions may differ about the future of the natural and lab-grown diamond industry, Paul reminds listeners that diamonds are luxury items, ones that are often purchased for emotional reasons, and this makes their future harder to predict than items purchased for practical reasons.

March Edition on the Jewelry District, Episode One In This Episode In the March installment of JCK‘s new podcast, “The Jewelry District,” you’ll hear JCK senior editor Emili Vesilind talk about major jewelry moments at the Oscars and trends on the Fashion Week runways. News director Rob Bates covers the recent financial and legal troubles of retail-veteran Samuels Jewelers. You’ll also hear a Weird Story of the Week about a dental assistant-turned-jewel thief! Rob interviews diamond analyst Ben Janowski, who shares an industry insider’s perspective on mined and lab-created diamonds. Show Notes 1:10 Emili Vesilind discusses big jewelry moments at the Oscars with Rob Bates. 11:05 Emili rounds up the trends she observed during Fashion Week. 17:35 Rob Bates covers the latest news on Samuels Jewelers. 22:55 Rob tells the “Weird Jewelry Story of the Week.” 25:45 Rob interviews Ben Janowski, diamond analyst and president of Janos Consultants, about new trends in diamonds and jewelry Episode Credits Host: Rob Bates JCK Staff: Emili Vesilind Guest: Ben Janowski, President, Janos Consultants Engineer and Editor: Levi Sharpe Producer: Natalie Chomet Plugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine, janosconsultants.com Show Recap Oscar-Winning Jewelry Moments Emili Vesilind reacts to the big jewelry moments at the Oscars––the SuperBowl for fine jewelry brands. This year, she was dazzled by Lady Gaga who wore the historic Tiffany diamond, which has not been worn since Audrey Hepburn sported it at a Breakfast at Tiffany’s publicity event. Emili rounds up the JCK editorial team’s Oscar jewelry favorites including Julia Roberts in Cindy Chao; Charlize Theron in Bulgari; and Spike Lee sporting the LOVE/HATE knuckle rings from Do the Right Thing. Trendspotting at Fashion Week Emili has seen some key trends emerge in 2019 that carried through to Fashion Week. These include big chains from Oscar de la Renta, IDM, and Tom Ford who created dresses that featured curb chain elements. Large hoop earrings were another recurring theme—some traditional, and others more crumpled in shape. Rob asks Emili how Oscar and Fashion Week looks influence each other and inform jewelry retailer trends. Which trends will fizzle and which will soar? Reports of Samuels Jewelers and Bank Fraud Listen for Rob’s coverage of the latest report on Samuels Jewelers. Rob recounts the saga of the 112-store retail chain, which filed for bankruptcy last year, and announced the closing of all its stores just six months after its parent company Gitanjali Gems was charged with bank fraud. Weird Story of the Week Rob reveals the weird and unsettling story of a dental hygienist who may have relieved several patients of their jewelry while they were under sedation. The local police chief asserts that, “Although she was using laughing gas, this is no laughing matter.” Interview with Diamond Analyst Ben Janowski Rob gets Ben’s insights into lab-grown diamonds. Mr. Janowski was an early adopter who told Rob that manmade diamonds would be the next big thing before Rob heard anyone else talking about it. Ben shares his thoughts on the history of lab-grown and where it’s going. He talks about what the marketing gets wrong and what it gets right in both the new lab-created and traditional diamond market.  

In This Episode In the latest installment of “The Jewelry District,” you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss the gender discrimination and harassment allegations at Signet Jewelers. Victoria covers how watch retailers are embracing the secondhand market. You’ll also hear a Weird Story of the Week about a jeweler/fan of Elon Musk who has a surprising issue with his Tesla! Rob and Victoria interview gem dealer Joe Menzie about his history in the industry, and gemstone expeditions around the globe. Show Notes 01:10 Victoria Gomelsky talks about JCK’s history and what she’s found in the 150 years-worth of archives. 02:40 Victoria and Rob Bates talk about the bombshell report on Signet’s treatment of female employees over the years. 07:40 Rob covers the other struggles Signet is having with their retail stores and new marketing strategy. 09:20 Victoria covers watch retailers and their recent embrace of the secondhand market 12:40 Rob tells the “Weird Story of the Week”. 15:55 Victoria and Rob interview Joe Menzie, gem dealer and former president of ICA, about his career in the jewelry industry and the gemstone expeditions he leads Episode Credits: Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky Guest: Joe Menzie, gemstone dealer Engineer and Editor: Levi Sharpe Producer: Natalie Chomet Plugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine, menzie.com Show Recap: Signet’s Alleged History of Gender Discrimination Victoria and Rob react to the exhaustive New York Times Magazine cover story that details the many alleged incidents of gender discrimination and sexual harassment that took place in Signet Jewelers’ Sterling division over the years. Rob voices his opinion on how the company has responded since the article came out. Victoria underlines the overarching issue of when a company culture breeds this kind of behavior. Retailers Embrace Secondhand Watch Market Victoria interviewed Hamilton Powell, founder and CEO of Crown & Caliber about the pre-owned watch market’s increase in popularity. She sees it as a way to hedge against other issues in the marketplace. She also discusses Les Ambassadeurs’ recent partnership with WatchBox – a secondhand watch powerhouse. Weird Story of the Week Rob tells the story of Ben Baller who created a $400,000 diamond and ruby ring for Elon Musk. He then gets locked in his own Tesla for 40 minutes. Baller posts a video of the incident to his Instagram feed. Conflict and conspiracy theories ensue. Interview with Gemstone Dealer Joe Menzie Victoria and Rob discuss Joe’s storied career and how he ended up in the gemstone industry. Victoria reminisces about the first time she met Joe in Tucson, and his dependable insight into this unique niche of the jewelry world over the years. Joe talks about his trajectory, beginning in social work, to accounting, then finally finding his way to his grandfather’s gemstone dealing trade. He describes how he ended up as the president of the ICA. Joe also details some of his exciting gemstone expeditions, and Victoria recalls her experience at a tanzanite mine.  

Bonus Episode of the Jewelry District In This Episode In this bonus episode, you'll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates share in some pre-show excitement for JCK Las Vegas with Yancy Weinrich, Senior Vice President at Reed. Yancy recounts how she got her start in the jewelry business, her memories from her first JCK Las Vegas show, and how much it has grown since. The team remembers what was so wonderful about the old Sands and teases what's new, improved, and exciting for this year's show. Show Notes 01:00 Yancy explains how she got her start at Reed and in the jewelry industry at large.02:48 Yancy talks about the first JCK show she attended and what she loves about the trade show business.06:25 Yancy and Victoria recall details about the show when it was at the old Sands.07:30 Yancy walks through the decision to move to Mandalay Bay from the Sands and back again.11:03 Victoria and Yancy talk about the Sunday night party at Tao and new restaurants.14:05 Yancy offers her top tips to be prepared during the busy show experience. 15:25 Rob asks Yancy about what's new and different this year.17:20 Rob and Yancy discuss Baselworld and the future of trade shows.19:00 Rob inquires about consumer and influencer interest in the JCK show.21:40 Yancy shares her favorite JCK show memories. Episode Credits: Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria GomelskyGuest: Yancy Weinrich, Senior Vice President, ReedEngineer and Editor: Levi SharpeProducer: Natalie ChometPlugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine, jcklasvegas2019.com

In This Episode In the latest installment of “The Jewelry District,” you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates recap their favorite moments from JCK Las Vegas and the highlights of its grand return to the Sands Expo.  You’ll also hear several interview snippets that Rob and Victoria captured live from the show floor, with Jennifer Dawes, Roger Kadet, Eddie Le Vian, Charles Stanley, Iris Van der Veken, and more. Show Notes 00:49 Victoria Gomelsky and Rob Bates recap their favorite highlights from JCK Las Vegas. 06:20 Victoria and Rob go over key takeaways from the show. discuss some of the talks they attended on lab-grown, traceability, and sustainability. 11:33 Interview from show floor Ben Hakman from Diamond DNA. 15:02 Lightbox presentation recap: Lab-grown diamonds. 20:10 Victoria interviews Omi Gems and Omi Privé’s Niveet Nagpal. 24:01 Victoria and Rob discuss the President of Botswana’s speech and the protester who made a brief appearance. 32:02 Rob cover’s the first lady of Botswana’s speech at the Forevermark breakfast. 32:56 Rob interviews Charles Stanley of Forevermark. 36:00 Select clips from Rob and Victoria’s interviews captured live from the show floor including Robbie Vanderlinden, Eddie Le Vian, and more. Episode Credits Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky Guests: Jennifer Dawes, Ben Hakman, Roger Kadet, Eddie Le Vian, Niveet Nagpal, Charles Stanley, Iris Van der Veken, and Ronnie Vanderlinden Engineer: Brett Fuchs Editor: Levi Sharpe Producer: Natalie Chomet Plugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine, jcklasvegas2019.com Show Recap The Talk of the Show The mood at JCK Las Vegas was high, and people are thinking hard about ways to meet business challenges, including the launch of many new initiatives. Exhibitors and attendees alike were happy to make a triumphant return to the Sands. It wasn’t the most dramatic show, but in a positive sense. The new lab-grown pavilion shows acceptance of this product entering the market, and conversations about lab-grown diamonds are maturing. There’s less clash and controversy, rather a deepening of the sustainability and tracing conversations. Interview Clip: Ben Hakman from Diamond DNA Ben Hakman explains the way things have been evolving in different price points and categories of lab-grown diamonds. He believes the future is moving towards transparency regarding grow type, treatment type, and country of origin. Thoughts on the Lightbox Presentation Rob gives his reactions to the Lightbox presentation. Some thought that De Beers’ aggressive pricing last year was intended to push the lab-grown pricing down. Their perspective is that the pricing will come down anyway, and when it does, they will be well situated because they’ve had a chance to build their brand. That said, Rob has heard some wildly different predictions for lab-grown over the past few years. Victoria comments on the progress since last year’s presentation. Interview Clip: Niveet Nagpal from Omi Gems and Omi Privé People are loving the colored stones, rarer gems, and edgier designs. People aren’t shying away from more interesting pieces that tell a story. He describes his inventive window display and the concept behind it, called “A Gemstone Journey.” President Masisi of Botswana’s Speech President Masisi emphasized the connection between American retailers and the mining countries and people involved in production. Victoria remarked on the feeling of awe and respect at hearing this dignitary speak. The protester who interjected to voice her displeasure at Botswana’s lifting of the ban on elephant hunting momentarily shifted the emphasis of President Masisi’s speech, but he navigated it with grace. Interview Clip: Charles Stanley from Forevermark Charles Stanley speaks about the First Lady of Botswana’s speech. He found it inspirational. The benefit diamonds have given to Botswana, and importance of investing in their future. Forevermark has a new and timely bridal campaign that aims to be more relevant to the bridal consumer. Interviews from the Show Floor Ronnie Vanderlinden, President of Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Assn; United States Jewelry Council Eddie Le Vian, Director and CEO of Le Vian Iris Van der Veken, Executive director of Responsible Jewellery Council Roger Kadet, Owner and CEO of Roger Kadet Ltd.  Jennifer Dawes, Owner of Jennifer Dawes Design  

Episode 4: Guest Joe Thompson In This Episode In the latest installment of “The Jewelry District,” you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates recap the summer news, including the first Jewelers of America Convention and an inside look at how the JCK 150th Anniversary issue is shaping up. You’ll also hear Rob and Vic interview Joe Thompson of Hodinkee on how he got his start at JCK in the 1970s, and the memories he has of the people he worked with during that time. Show Notes 01:00 Rob covers the highlights of the first Jewelers of America Convention. 01:55 A member of the State Department talked about the importance of traceability. 02:31 Rob led a talk on traceability and Blockchain. 08:00 The challenges and future of detection of lab-grown products. 11:02 JP Morgan economist talked about the economy vs. the jewelry and retail industry. 13:58 Victoria speaks on the 150th anniversary issue of JCK, and how people across all different time periods grappled with the same things. 18:20 Rob does the Weird Jewelry Story about doctors who removed a large quantity of jewelry from a patient’s stomach. 21:56 Rob introduces guest Joe Thompson of Hodinkee, who got his start at JCK in the 1970s. 25:30 Joe talks about his early days at JCK and what he found in the archives from that time period. 37:40 Joe describes the different watch revolutions he’s seen over the course of 40 years in the business, including the smartwatch revolution today. 41:15 The watch business used to be the pillar that JCK was built on, and now watch advertising in the industry has declined. Vic asks if Joe sees this as a continuing trend in the watch industry. Episode Credits Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky Guest: Joe Thompson Editor: Levi Sharpe Producer & Engineer: Natalie Chomet Plugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine, hodinkee.com Show Recap The First Jewelers of America Convention Rob attended the first annual JA Convention and recounts some of the talks that took place, including a sternly toned talk by a woman from the State Department on traceability. People were taken aback by her hard line. Rob led a panel on traceability and Blockchain. It’s something that the outside world is calling for, but it will be a challenge to figure out how to enact. Vic wonders if this will be easier to implement when technology catches up and Blockchain becomes a ubiquitous, household term. Inside the Anniversary Issue Vic has been diving into the archives and has seen that the same issues jewelers grapple with today are things the industry struggled with in the 1800s through today, including synthetic stones, how to sell certain stones or watches, survival of retail, etc. Vic reads certain sentences that—if it weren’t for the syntax—if they were from the past or present day. It helps build a feeling of camaraderie with our predecessors. Weird Story: Hungry for Wealth Doctors removed 1.6kg of jewelry from a woman’s stomach, worth £53,000. The woman was suffering from abdominal pain and went to the doctor. Baffled doctors in Bengal, India discovered the woman had 69 chains, 80 earrings, 46 coins, 8 lockets, 11 nose rings, 5 anklets, and 1 watch dial in her stomach. The coins likely came from her brother’s store, and the items had disappeared from her family’s home over time, though the family did not suspect anything. Interview: Joe Thompson Joe describes Hodinkee, and why the fan site for watches captures the interest of watch connoisseurs out there. Joe talks about his early days at JCK and what he found in the archives from that time period, including articles he wrote from when he got his start. He tells stories about the managing editor in 1977, George Holmes, including a tale about an article he wrote that the interviewee wanted altered. Lesson: never send a copy of the article to the subject before it’s published!

In This Episode In the latest installment of “The Jewelry District,” you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates recap the latest news, including a Fashion Week recap and a look at how the trade war and tariffs on China will affect the industry. Victoria and Rob also cover the new JCK print and digital plan for 2020 and share a weird story of the week. You’ll also hear Rob and Vic interview Tiffany Stevens of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee on how she got there, what she does, and current issues concerning the JVC.   Show Notes 00:45 Recap of Fashion Week and the jewelry trends and best jewelry so far. 07:42 Are the 90s coming back into fashion and what does it mean for jewelry? 09:10 Trade wars and tariffs on China, and how this affects the industry. 15:40 Overview of JCK’s print and digital plan for 2020, including change in magazine frequency. 17:50 JCK’s 150th Anniversary Issue—a print keepsake that will still have value. 19:10 Weird Story: A dairy farmer in Singapore proposed by putting a ring on a cow’s udder. 22:15 Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky interview Tiffany Stevens, President, CEO and General Counsel of JVC. 22:30 Tiffany covers her history and beginnings at JVC and what drew her to the jewelry industry. 24:44 Tiffany gives some background on JVC’s history, mission, and what they’re doing now. 27:20 Tiffany talks about how lab-grown diamonds affect the JVC mediation practice. 28:35 Rob asks Tiffany how consumers can get in touch with the JVC if they have an issue they want to bring to their attention. 29:45 Tiffany speaks on what the State Department asks of the industry regarding sourcing. 33:15 What you can do to show you’re compliant: filing suspicious activity reports. 39:00 Rob asks Tiffany how effective Anti-Money Laundering laws are in flagging things. 40:15 Tiffany speaks on the FTC guides and their aftereffects.   Episode Credits Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky Guest: Tiffany Stevens Editor: Levi Sharpe Producer & Engineer: Natalie Chomet Plugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine, jvclegal.org   Show Recap Fashion Week Highlights Vic covers some of the best jewelry moments of the week, and some emerging trends that she has noticed. Some takeaways are a strong 60’s-70’s structural trend, especially from Marc Jacobs. These striking pieces show that fashion designers may be starting to acknowledge jewelry design and craft rather than adding jewelry as an afterthought. Ulla Johnson paired her outfits with pieces from Grainne Morton, a U.K. designer that does these sculptural earrings and necklaces with lots of dangling pieces. Another designer, Brandon Maxwell, paired denim outfits with colored stones and lots of chains. Vic has noticed chains as an emerging trend that will extend to 2020. Are The 90’s Making a Comeback? Vic and Rob notice that some 90’s styles are starting to make a comeback, and they speculate what it could mean for jewelry. Besides the Tin Cup pearl necklace, popularized by the movie it was named for, Vic can’t pinpoint any jewelry styles that were big in the 90’s, and characterizes it as a sad time for jewelry. She supposes that every time an era’s trends come back, they do so with a dash of the modern sprinkled in, which could bring some hope for jewelry trends moving forward. Trade Wars are Back 15% tariffs were put on products from China beginning on September 1st. Though many products were exempt, jewelry products were not among them. Though some large manufacturers say they are not affected, others are sorting through the chaos. Rob explains that it’s not as simple as not purchasing products from China. Many small parts, boxes, and other essential items are made in China. This adds up. New Print and Digital Plan for JCK JCK’s print frequency will change for 2020 from seven issues to four, keeping a spring, pre-show, at-show, and fall holiday preview issue. The focus will shift to digital, including the podcast, webinars, web coverage, and more. Though this is a change, it is in line with the rest of the industry. The upcoming 150th Anniversary issue is an example of a timeless print issue that may not translate to the web in the same way. JCK will keep its foot in print, while strengthening the already solid digital presence. Weird Story: A Moo-ving Proposal A farmer in Singapore proposes to his girlfriend by placing a diamond engagement ring on a cow’s udder, sparking incredulous reactions from a ring-shaming Facebook group, questions of animal cruelty, and a plethora of bovine-inspired puns. Interview: Tiffany Stevens JVC, founded in 1917, has covered a lot of issues over its history in tandem with whatever is going on in the jewelry industry. Its mission is to help all those along the supply chain with any compliance issues that they are experiencing. Tiffany covers new types of fraud that had been uncovered as the lab-grown diamond industry begins to grow. She advises on how consumers can get in touch with the JVC if they have an issue they want to bring to their attention. Tiffany speaks on what the State Department asks of the industry regarding sourcing. She also talks about AML laws as well as the FTC guides and much more.

In This Episode This episode of “The Jewelry District” pays tribute to JCK magazine’s 150th anniversary. JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk with a panel of JCK writers about fascinating discoveries they made while combing through the vast expanse of the JCK archives. The weird story won’t be from this week—but 1975 instead! Interspersed throughout the episode, you’ll hear the voices of current and past employees as they reflect on their experiences working at this historic publication. You’ll also hear Rob and Victoria interview Bill Furman, former ad manager, who spent 46 years working at JCK. He’ll share how he got there and some amazing memories from along the way. Show Notes 00:36 Victoria and Rob give an overview of the 150th anniversary issue. 3:10 Victoria kicks off the conversation with a few notable things she learned in her research. 8:40 Rob relates a great quote from Marty Hurwitz of MVI Marketing about his impression of JCK. He also shares the ad that former editor Peggy Jo Donahue answered when she began working at JCK. 10:20 Rob shares a weird story from 1975, “Should You Fire That Hippy?” 12:55 Hedda Schupack talks about her favorite story from working at JCK. 15:50 Victoria introduces the panel of JCK writers and tees up Melissa Bernardo’s story. 16:22 Melissa talks about the amazing covers she found when doing her research, including which eras had the oddest, ugliest, and most beautiful covers and ads. 19:55 Melissa explains how the cover of the 150th anniversary issue was created. 21:15 Emili Vesilind talks about what she discovered while researching the fashion retrospective she authored. 25:35 Ettagale Blauer shares a favorite moment from working at JCK: interviewing Lazare Kaplan. 26:22 Russell Shor talks about his history working at JCK and his journey to India for work. 27:50 Amy Elliott relates her process as she researched her piece on pearls, including what coverage JCK had on Breakfast at Tiffany’s and how it affected the popularity of pearls. 31:20 Brittany Siminitz gives a peek behind the scenes of her epilogue, where she talked to young people in the industry about what the top issues would be in 50 years. 33:45 Mark Smelzer reflects on his favorite experience at JCK. 35:55 Robert Weldon reveals the most important thing he covered while at JCK: East African gemstones. 36:09 Victoria and Rob interview Bill Furman, who worked at JCK for 46 years. Episode Credits Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky JCK Staff: Melissa Bernardo, Amy Elliott, Brittany Siminitz, Emili Vesilind Guest: Bill Furman JCK Voices: Ettagale Blauer, Hedda Schupak, Russell Shor, Mark Smelzer, Robert Weldon Editor: Levi Sharpe Producer & Engineer: Natalie Chomet Plugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine

In This Episode In this edition of “The Jewelry District,” you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates cover the latest news, including NYC’s Jewelry Week, and growing concerns over sustainability and how it will affect fine jewelry sales. Rob covers a talk by the Yurmans and a fascinating panel on jewelry ecommerce. The weird story of the week features a dream that comes true, but not necessarily in a good way! Show Notes 00:50 Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky recap NYC’s Jewelry Week, including a talk held by David and Sybil Yurman. 5:45 Rob talks about a panel he was on about ecommerce and jewelry sponsored by eBay. 9:00 Victoria shares why she has been preoccupied about sustainability lately. 16:46 Victoria ponders if there is a product out there that’s 100% sustainable. 20:58 Rob covers the new De Beers research and what it says about our society and the jewelry industry 25:25 Weird Story of the Week   Episode Credits Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky Editor: Levi Sharpe Producer & Engineer: Natalie Chomet Plugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine   Show Recap NYC Jewelry Week Rob relates some interesting tidbits that he learns at the talk held by David and Sybil Yurman during Jewelry Week. They shed light on how their life growing up in the 60s and 70s colored their business. Rob also discusses the panel he was on about ecommerce and jewelry, in which designers talked about how to establish themselves on different ecommerce platforms.   The Sustainability Question: Who Passes The Test? In doing research for a panel she organized, Victoria meets an Instagram influencer who is a proponent of zero-waste and hasn’t bought a piece of jewelry in many years. Victoria finds it fascinating because there are not many jewelers who would meet these high standards of sustainability. She’s interested in seeing how the relationship between fine jewelry and green living evolves over time.   New De Beers Research and a Rapidly Changing Society The research raises the question: Is the industry keeping up with larger changes in society, such as changing norms about marriage and commitment, and growing concerns over the environment. Rob talks about how proposals have changed over time, and how the bridal industry bases its business on perhaps an outdated standard in our culture.   Weird Story of The Week May Be Hard to Swallow A woman dreams that she swallows her ring to protect it from a jewelry heist. When she wakes up, she was unable to find the ring, so she went to urgent care, where it was confirmed that she did in fact swallow it in her sleep! Listen to find out if there’s a happy ending to this tale.

In This Episode In this edition of “The Jewelry District,” you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview Sally Morrison, the chief marketing officer of Lightbox Jewelry. The three talk about how Morrison got into the industry and her own impressions of coming up in the diamond industry. You’ll also hear her discuss how society is changing, her partnerships with designers, and about the sustainability and ethics of diamonds. Show Notes 01:45 Sally Morrison talks about how she got into the industry. 14:20 Rob questions Morrison on our changing society and ad campaigns that try to keep up. 18:45 Victoria asks Morrison how she teams up with designers; Rob asks her about social media. 24:00 Morrison tells us about Lightbox Jewelry. 34:39 Morrison talks sustainability and ethics in the diamond industry. 38:00 Some final thoughts from Morrison about Lightbox and what it's like to be a woman in the jewelry industry. Episode Credits Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky Editor: Levi Sharpe Producer and engineer: Natalie Chomet Plugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine Show Recap How Sally Morrison Jumped Into the Jewelry Industry Morrison had a long career in different industries in the United States before she got her start in jewelry. On getting her first job at Diamond Information Center, she relates what she learned and her first impressions of the industry. Women self-purchasing diamonds and people’s changing attitudes toward gold jewelry also pop up in the conversation. Morrison shares what ad campaigns she thinks should be emulated. Changing Times Call for Changing Measures Morrison realizes that there’s a need to keep up with cultural changes and trends. Rob and Morrison talk about early De Beers ad campaigns and their effect on the diamond industry, even years later. Morrison also enlightens us on the importance of partnering with designers. Of course, social media is always something to keep in mind in these changing times, and Morrison talks about the difficulties in navigating that terrain. Lightbox Jewelry As the chief marketing officer of Lightbox Jewelry, Morrison certainly knowns the ins and outs of the lab-grown diamond industry. Rob questions Morrison on whether Lightbox helped legitimize lab-grown diamonds—and Morrison has something to say about the word legitimacy. Morrison reflects on the commercial potential she saw in the brand and why 2017 was the right time for takeoff. Can There Be Transparency or Ethics in Sustainability? As Rob and Victoria covered in the last episode, there’s certainly a lot to discuss when it comes to jewelry sustainability and ethics. Victoria asks Morrison about responsibility in ad campaigns for sustainability and ethics promises from company to company. When asked, Morrison talks about how she sees promises of sustainability functioning for Lightbox. The episode wraps up with thoughts about Lightbox and what Morrison thinks about being a woman in the industry.

In This Episode In the latest installment of “The Jewelry District,” you’ll hear a compilation of our Weird Stories of the Week. You’ll hear quite a few stories from JCK’s news director, Rob Bates, about people’s consumption of jewelry—but not in the way you might think! You’ll also hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky tell us what her favorite Weird Story has been.  Show Notes 00:30 Victoria introduces her favorite Weird Story  01:10 A Moo-ving Proposal 03:55 Hard to Swallow 07:05 Hungry for Wealth 10:07 Tesla Trouble 13:35 Should You Fire That Hippie? 16:30 No Laughing Matter Episode Credits Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria GomelskyJCK Staff: Emili VesilindEditor: Levi SharpeProducer and engineer: Natalie ChometPlugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine Show Recap A Moo-ving Proposal Social media was abuzz with ring-shamers, animal advocates, and those looking to jump on the bandwagon with bovine-puns when a farmer from Singapore proposed to his girlfriend by placing a diamond engagement ring on a cow’s udder.  Hard to Swallow A woman dreams she swallowed her ring to protect it from a jewelry heist. On waking up, her ring was nowhere to be found. After going to urgent care, it turns out she really did swallow the ring while sleeping! Is there a happy ending to this weird story? Listen to find out! Hungry for Wealth Doctors remove a whopping 1.6 kilograms (3.5 pounds) of jewelry from a 22-year-old woman’s stomach. That jewelry totaled £53,000 ($64,310)! When the woman was suffering from abdominal pain, she decided to go to the doctor. What the Bengali doctors found was striking: 69 chains, 80 earrings, 46 coins, 8 lockets, 11 nose rings, 5 anklets, and 1 watch dial—all in her stomach! Somehow, her family didn’t expect anything, as the jewelry went missing over a length of time.  Tesla Trouble Ben Baller, the man who created a $400,000 diamond and ruby ring for Elon Musk, got locked inside of his own Tesla for 40 long minutes. While stuck, he posted video of the incident to his Instagram feed. Conflict and conspiracy theories ensued. Should You Fire That Hippie? An article that was published in 1975 with an inflammatory title is the focus of this weird story. Did the article make points that are still relevant to the industry today? How does it reflect on millennials and their attitudes? No Laughing Matter A dental hygienist relieved several patients of their jewelry while under sedation. The local police chief asserts that this incident that was “no laughing matter,” despite the use of laughing gas.

In This Episode In this edition of “The Jewelry District,” you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss the latest news, including 2019 holiday sales, the upcoming JCK Tucson jewelry show, what the stars wore to the 2020 Golden Globes, and LVMH’s recent acquisition of Tiffany & Co. You’ll also hear a positively grotesque weird story of the week that’ll be sure to make your stomach churn.   Show Notes 00:30 Rob Bates recaps the trends of the 2019 holiday sales compared to 2018. 02:30 Victoria Gomelsky is excited for JCK Tucson and predicts the colors that will be big this year. 06:27 Victoria gives the scoop on what jewelry was popular for stars at the 2020 Golden Globes. 08:25 Rob talks about what LVMH's recent acquisition of Tiffany and Co. means for brand consolidation across the industry. 18:18 Weird Story of the Week   Episode Credits Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria GomelskyEditor: Levi SharpeProducer and engineer: Natalie ChometPlugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine   Show Recap 2019 Holiday Sales It was a decent year for sales at the end of 2019. Rob comments on the main difference between the 2018 holiday and the 2019 holiday. While physical stores continue to face challenges, there were still plenty of discounts this year. Rob confesses his biggest shopping steal.   JCK Tucson and 2020 Color Predictions JCK Tucson is just three weeks away, and Victoria has some leads on what colors might be big this year ahead. The Pantone Color of the Year, Classic Blue, is an obvious go-to, but does Victoria think it will it make a difference in the world of gems in 2020? She lets us know what other colors to keep on our radar going into the new year and beyond. What Was Hot at the 2020 Golden Globes There’s one jewelry style that stood out at the Golden Globes. Can you guess what it was? The statement necklace! Victoria lets us know who made a statement and who didn't. And, she reveals the star known for her minimalist style who chose to go big with diamonds at this year's show. LVMH Takes Tiffany: What Is Industry Consolidation Doing to Us? LVMH took over Tiffany & Co. toward the end of 2019—and Rob has mixed feelings on this new ownership. Should we be putting all of our eggs in one basket? Victoria cites a 2014 article called “Jewelry Industry in 2020” that predicted more industry consolidation. Was this new ownership written in the stars? Will more companies consolidate sooner than later? And will Tiffany remain the traditional American company it always has been or will it lean into more French style? Weird Story of the Week Eek! It doesn’t get weirder than this. Rob lets us in on this newest weird story originally reported by two British newspapers. A Japanese man—and perhaps the more squeamish shouldn’t keep reading—took an entire year of this fingernail clippings and turned them into an engagement ring for his significant other. He made a YouTube video of the entire process—and Rob describes it in detail for those of us who would rather not see it for ourselves.

In this Episode In this edition of “The Jewelry District,” you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview a couple for the first time. Hayley Henning, who is an expert in colored gems and is also vice president of sales and marketing at Greenland Ruby, and husband Erik Jens, an expert in diamond industry financing and a strategic partner for companies in the luxury industry, talk about their respective companies, climate change, and JCK Tucson. Show Notes00:31 Rob and Victoria introduce Hayley Henning and Erik Jens11:20 Henning discusses Greenland Ruby15:04 Jens compares the colored gem industry to the diamond industry17:38 Rob and Victoria ask Henning about Greenland and climate change24:56 All things JCK Tucson26:23 Rob asks Jens about his background at ABN AMRO31:13 Rob asks Jens what he sees as the biggest problems in the industry Episode CreditsHosts: Rob Bates and Victoria GomelskyEditor: Levi SharpeProducer and engineer: Natalie ChometPlugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine Show Recap Introducing the Power DuoRob and Victoria introduce their guests Hayley Henning and Erik Jens, a couple in the jewelry industry who have been married for three years. You’ll hear the story of how they met at a conference in Moscow and became industry friends, which soon turned to more. Since they met at a conference, they also discuss conferences in general. They question whether conferences really add value and make a difference at all in the face of things such as sustainability. Colored Gemstones Are a Diamond’s Best FriendHenning talks about her experience in the colored stone world. You’ll hear all about Greenland Ruby, where she is the vice president of sales and marketing. She’s fascinated by the originality of the location of gemstones and the process by which these stones go from Greenland to the market. She makes sure to not leave her diamond-industry expert husband out of the mix, as she notes how colored gemstones really are a diamond’s best friend. Jens expands on this. Climate Change and Greenland, the Untapped ResourceRob asks Henning about the independent and autonomous country of Greenland. What Henning finds so interesting about Greenland is the fact that it sits atop one of the world's biggest and richest mineral deposits. It’s an untapped resource that has been under ice and snow for millions, if not billions, of years. Rob also asks about climate change and what that means for the Arctic region. The Pink Polar Bear Piñata PartyVictoria is excited for JCK Tucson and asks the couple if they’ll be making an appearance. Henning and Jens say yes—as they will be hosting the Pink Polar Bear Piñata Party (say that three times fast!). The Pink Polar Bear is a foundation, not for polar bear research, as the title may suggest, but for international polar research, to help all species affected by climate change. Erik Jens: Finance Extraordinaire Jens talks about his background in, and passion for, the world of finance. Jens has experience in banking, so it made sense for him to take over the diamond division at ABN AMRO. Since the financial crisis, he’s been all over the world in the restructured hedge fund, private banking, and diamond sectors. Hear Jens discuss how he worked to make the ABN AMRO portfolio healthier during his time there. Problems and the Need to ImproveRob asks Jens what the biggest problem in the industry is (spoiler: Jens doesn’t think it’s an issue with finance—it’s actually profitability). Listen to what the profitability issue entails, as well as Jens’ take on the mined- versus-lab-grown-diamond front when it comes to marketing practices. You’ll also hear what Henning and Jens think it will take for the industry to improve.

In this EpisodeIn this edition of The Jewelry District, you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates discuss all the noteworthy jewelry seen at this year's Oscars. You’ll also hear them talk about Victoria’s trip to the Tucson gem shows and the focus on sustainability practices there. Rob gives us the rundown on all things involving the bankruptcy of de Grisogono USA and then lightens the mood with a Domino’s-themed Weird Story of the Week. Show Notes00:30 Victoria gives the scoop on the Oscars and jewelry07:53 Victoria talks about her trip to the Tucson gem shows and sustainability practices15:13 Rob discusses the bankruptcy of fine jeweler de Grisogono19:00 Weird Story of the Week Episode CreditsHosts: Rob Bates and Victoria GomelskyEditor: Olivia BrileyProducer and engineer: Natalie ChometPlugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine Show Recap White Diamonds at the OscarsVictoria arrived home from the Tucson gem shows just in time for the Oscars. This year, as in recent years past, colored gemstones took a backseat while white diamonds stole the spotlight. There were big stars in big diamonds, as large statement pieces were a common theme. Hear Rob talk about how important product placement is in shows like these. Tucson Gem Shows and Sustainability Victoria talks about her stay in Arizona for February's Tucson gem shows. You’ll hear what the mood of the shows were and whether the recent outbreak of the coronavirus had any effect on attendance. You’ll also hear Rob and Victoria talk about the continued importance of sustainability in the jewelry industry. De Grisogono: Leaked Files and BankruptcyFine jeweler de Grisogono was recently in hot water over the case of some leaked files connected to stakeholder Isabel dos Santos. De Grisogono USA has now declared bankruptcy following the bankruptcy of their Swiss division—and dos Santos, along with husband Sindika Dokolo, now face criminal charges. Hear what Rob and Victoria think of the details leading up to the downfall of de Grisogono USA and what consumers should consider when choosing the companies they engage with. Weird Story of the Week: A Conversation “Pizza”Rob tells us a new Weird Story of the Week, and this time it’s all about pizza! Domino’s Australia is holding a contest—just submit a video of how you’d use Domino’s in your engagement to your beloved. Rob reveals the prize: Not only will Domino’s bring your engagement plan to life, and cater your wedding with pizza, but you’ll also win an 18k pizza-shape ring worth more than $9,000, featuring ruby pepperoni and diamond cheese.

In This EpisodeIn this episode of The Jewelry District, you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview John J. Kennedy, president of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, otherwise known as JSA. Kennedy, with his background in criminal law, crime prevention, and law enforcement, talks about how JSA works to prevent jewelry crime. You’ll hear about what goes on in the minds of criminals, whether guns are a good preventative measure, and what mistakes jewelers often make that could jeopardize the safety of their company. Show Notes 00:30 Victoria and Rob introduce their guest John J. Kennedy04:47 Rob asks about the founding and mission of JSA09:50 How jewelry crime happens12:37 Discussion of different types of crime, including cybercrime15:18 Rob asks Kennedy his opinion of jewelers having guns in their stores18:01 Rob asks about security mistakes jewelers make and preventative measures they can take Episode CreditsHosts: Rob Bates and Victoria GomelskyEditor: Olivia BrileyProducer and engineer: Natalie ChometPlugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine Show Recap John Kennedy, The Man Behind JSARob and Victoria introduce their guest, John Kennedy. He is the president of JSA, and he’s been in that role for the past 28 years. Kennedy has an extensive legal background, serving at different points of his career as an attorney, the assistant commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation, and the chairman of the New York City Department of Criminal Justice. All of these skills have prepared him for working alongside his team at JSA to prevent jewelry crime, and you’ll hear about his daily workflow that helps to make the industry safer. The Jewelers' Security Alliance Founding and FunctionThe JSA is nearly as old as JCK. Since it was founded in 1883, it has only had four full-time presidents, including Kennedy. That’s some serious dedication. During nearly a century and a half, Kennedy says the mission has not changed—it's focused on preventing crime in the jewelry industry. You’ll hear Kennedy talk about why he’s so dedicated to the position, and why the association is so valuable—especially when zero jewelers were killed during the commission of a crime last year, which is a first since record keeping began in the early '80s. How Does Crime Happen?Kennedy has accumulated much knowledge on jewelry-related crime. You’ll hear how crime is organized by gangs, who is helping these people, and the ways in which criminals follow jewelry trends to make themselves aware of what’s hot—for the taking. All Kinds of CrimeCybercrime isn’t something that JSA focuses on in the way one might think. The cybercrime that JSA is involved with is performed with some human contact, through phone and emails. You’ll hear how criminals build up relationships and establish social connections with jewelers before committing fraud. And those outside of the industry aren’t the only ones committing crimes. Some jewelers get themselves wrapped up in fraudulent ways as well. Insurance—More Valuable Than Guns?While jewelers have the right to own a gun, and plenty exercise that right by having one in their store for theft-prevention purposes, Kennedy doesn’t recommend it. He claims there are several reasons why jewelers shouldn’t have a gun in their store. You might not be able to reach your gun in time, and even if you do, you might kill an innocent bystander in the process. Kennedy argues for the importance of having insurance rather than wielding a weapon. Mistakes Jewelers Make and Some Solutions Jewelers are human and are bound to make a few errors in their stores. You’ll hear Kennedy talk about some of the most common mistakes jewelers make, such as having too many pieces of jewelry out of the case at one time for display or even forgetting to keep showcases locked at all. To combat criminals, there are measures that can be taken, such as DNA sprays for jewelry or facial recognition. Kennedy argues that retailers must be careful when choosing the latter.

Note: This episode was taped on March 2, and does not reflect the latest news regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). In This Episode In this episode of The Jewelry District you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates talk about the visible effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on their hometowns in New York and California and what effects it continues to have on the jewelry industry at large. You’ll also hear them talk about how the international scene has affected gold prices and what’s trendy at fashion week. Rob and Victoria wrap up with a Weird Story of the Week.   Show Notes 00:30 Rob and Victoria discuss the effects of COVID-19 08:55 Rob brings up how we’re seeing a spike in gold prices 10:33 Victoria discusses the trends we’ve been seeing throughout fashion week 12:03 Weird Story of the Week   Episode Credits Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria Gomelsky Editor: Olivia Briley Producer and engineer: Natalie Chomet Plugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine   Show Recap Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands In early March, everyone was beginning to grow a little fearful of COVID-19, colloquially known as coronavirus. Rob has noticed an increase of people with face masks walking around and an abundance of Purell in the office. COVID-19 has caused the cancellations of both Baselworld and SIHH—and you'll hear what that could mean for those shows in the future. Gold Prices Spike COVID-19 isn’t the only international event that’s having an effect on the jewelry industry. New hostilities in the Middle East are causing the price of gold to spike at $1,600. In 2018, the average price for the year was just below $1,300—and this year people are predicting the average will be at $1,500. Hear what that means for people who own a bit of gold! Trends of Fashion Week Fashion week pushed on regardless of coronavirus-induced panic. Victoria notes the trendiest things to hit the runway were pearls, fringe, feathers, and solid gold links. If you’re not at fashion week—what can you do? Stay home and support your local businesses! Weird Story of the Week: Toilet Edition Rob tells another Weird Story of the Week—and this one’s a trip. A Dubai, United Arab Emirates, museum and art gallery has revealed a diamond-encrusted toilet, introduced by Coronet, an Aaron Shum jewelry brand. With 4,815 diamonds (334 cts. t.w.) valued at $1.28 million, it could make anyone’s trip to the restroom sparkle. The jeweled throne even set a Guinness World Record for the greatest number of diamonds set on a toilet bowl.

Note: This episode was taped on March 2, and does not reflect the latest news regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). In this EpisodeIn this edition of The Jewelry District you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview Ruediger Albers, watch expert and president of Wempe Jewelers. You’ll hear Victoria and Rob chat with Rudy about watches, retail, and what’s going on with the spring watch shows. Show Notes 00:50 Introduction of Rudy Albers05:59 Rob asks about the viability of multibrand stores. Victoria asks about trends10:53 Rob asks what the fascination with watches is16:24 Cancellation of spring watch shows, including Baselworld19:32 Wempe’s jewelry and celebrity clientele Episode CreditsHosts: Rob Bates and Victoria GomelskyEditor: Olivia BrileyProducer and engineer: Natalie ChometPlugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine Show Recap Ruediger Albers, President of Wempe WatchesRudy is the president of Wempe Jewelers and has been a member of the Wempe staff for 32 years. The son of a German watchmaker, Rudy followed in his father’s footsteps, working at his father's shop before becoming a master watchmaker for Wempe. Are Multibrand Stores Viable?Rob talks to Rudy about the viability of multibrand stores. Wempe Jewelers expanded their Fifth Aveune location in 2016, and they hold 20 of the finest brands. Rob wonders if watches appeal to millennial buyers, and, apparently, they’re an acquired taste. Many people have smartwatches now, which aren’t as big a seller at Wempe as some of its others, but Rudy believes both traditional and smartwatches can coexist peacefully in the same market. Trendy Watches and High DemandThere are certain watch brands that are in incredibly high demand. Two of which are Rolex and Patek Philippe. Rudy jokes that a reason his hair is going gray is because people come in  and ask to purchase a watch and don't realize there are incredibly long wait lists for some of the popular styles. The demand for watches is huge—but that also means some people are going to have competing prices, and others are going to attempt to create counterfeits. Show CancellationsBaselworld is one of the biggest shows to have been canceled this year. (It's been rescheduled for January 2021.) Rudy has been going for 32 years, and this will be the first one he’s missed. Watches & Wonders Geneva has also been canceled for this year. For Rudy, there’s nothing quite like going to the shows in person and getting to see and feel watches up close—so these events will surely be missed. Wempe Jewelers, Beyond the WatchesWempe Jewelers is, of course, known for selling watches, but it's more than just that. Wempe also sells jewelry. Recently, Mariah Carey performed“ All I Want For Christmas Is You” for her 25th-anniversary event and wore a $500,000 necklace from Wempe. You’ll also hear Rudy tell a few stories of other celebrity clientele, including Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro. (Image courtesy of Wempe Jewelers)

In this EpisodeIn this edition of The Jewelry District you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview Sherry Smith, director of business development at The Edge Retail Academy, sister company to The Edge. Sherry gives tips and guidance for jewelry retailers on how to navigate owning a retail business during COVID-19. Episode Credits Hosts: Rob Bates and Victoria GomelskyEditor: Olivia BrileyProducer and engineer: Natalie ChometPlugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine Show Recap00:30 Rob and Victoria introduce guest Sherry Smith03:18 Rob asks what her clients have been asking most these past few weeks10:30 Victoria asks what is the best course of action regarding employees13:21 Rob asks about what retailer’s online and social media presence should look like15:05 Rob and Sherry discuss the dangers of operating a business during this time23:18 Victoria asks what our retail world will look like on the other side of this crisis Show Recap Sherry Smith, Director of Business DevelopmentRob and Victoria introduce their guest Sherry Smith, director of business development for The Edge Retail Academy. She mentors around 200 companies about best retail practices, and she has received an increased volume of retailers who need help navigating their businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. Before joining The Edge Retail Academy, Sherry owned and operated a jewelry retail store and has hands-on experience running a store during both steady economic times and periods of recession. What Should Companies Do Right Now?Rob asks Sherry what the most common questions she has received from the companies she mentors are—and Sherry tells us she gets a lot of questions about what retailers should do with their employees and their bills. There is a little bit of nervousness during this time, and people are unsure of how to proceed. Victoria then asks what the most important things retailers should do right now, and Sherry weighs in about the best ways companies can be proactive. What to Do About Your Employees?Sherry reports that a minority of retailers have their employees on paid leave. That means many are either being laid off or furloughed—but being laid off means that employees can apply for unemployment benefits. Sherry reminds us that retailers must look at where they want to be on the other side of this crisis and at what actions can be taken to get them there. Your Online and Social Presence MattersOnline presence always matters, whether it be on social media or a retailer’s website—but it matters now more than ever since face-to-face communications have slowed across the country. Sherry gives recommendations about how to keep up with your customer base during this time in a way that is authentic and helpful to your customers. Security RisksMany jewelers are conducting business out of their homes, and some are even going into their stores to keep up with business as best they can. There are security concerns with bringing jewelry home, as that could make jewelers' homes a target for crime. The same applies for jewelers being alone in their store with jewelry when so few stores are open now. Sherry recommends checking with your insurance company to see how you’re covered during this time. What Does the Future Hold?Many of us are wondering what our world will look like when we come out of this. There is a lot of uncertainty. The question remains--will we come out of this running businesses as usual, or will business practices change post-COVID-19? Smith discusses the positives that could come out of all of this for retailers, while also giving a few resources for dealing with this difficult time. (Image courtesy of The Edge Retail Academy)

In this EpisodeIn this edition of The Jewelry District you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview Abe Sherman, founder and CEO of the Buyers Intelligence Group. You’ll hear Abe talk about why it is so important for jewelry retailers to carefully manage their inventory and balance sheets during the COVID-19 crisis. Show Notes 00:30 Introduction of Abe Sherman3:24 Rob asks Abe if there is anything he knows now that he wishes he knew earlier7:44 Victoria asks how our current situation is impacted by the COVID-19 crisis12:28 Rob asks about operational cost cuts, Victoria asks about what Abe says to suppliers, Rob asks about reserve funds21:03 They discuss what will happen post-COVID-19, what jewelry will be popular, how to best advertise, and getting your online presence in order Episode CreditsHosts: Rob Bates and Victoria GomelskyEditor: Olivia BrileyProducer and engineer: Katey Clifford and Kathy PasseroPlugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine Show Recap Abe Sherman, Founder and CEO of Buyers Intelligence GroupAbe started working for his father at their family jewelry store in 1968, when he was just 10 years old. Over his years in the jewelry industry, he has become quite the expert. His company, Buyers Intelligence Group, started as a buying group, and now they do financial and inventory benchmarking. Abe explains that his company helps jewelers take the numbers from the income statement of their balance sheet and explains how to use those numbers to help their businesses. The Jewelry Business Is Tough. The Family Jewelry Business Is TougherRob asks Abe if there’s anything that he knows now that he wishes he knew when he was first starting out. Abe gives a bit of background on his family business. Inventory planning, inventory management, marketing, and positioning were all things they didn’t completely understand back in the '60s and '70s, but are more important now than ever—especially with the internet connecting us all globally. Additionally, Abe argues the jewelry industry operates different than any other—and this added complication is something he helps companies to work through. Looking Ahead to a Post-COVID-19 WorldVictoria asks Abe how our current situation is impacted by the pandemic. Abe says that going forward, cash flow is going to be a challenge. Jewelry doesn’t have an expiration date like other industries, like food or car industries—so jewelers tend to hold on to their inventory. Abe stresses and explains how re-merchandising can be the answer to some problems people are having with getting older and nonperforming inventory out the door—and how this could help get cash back into the pockets of jewelers. What to Do on the Operational Side?Everyone is trying to figure out how to get out on the other side of this crisis in the best position they can. Abe suggests starting by visiting your  CPA to study your reports line by line for every expense that comes into the company. Jewelers should prioritize cash-flow planning for the next six months. As for a reserve fund, jewelers should try to put away a small percentage of their monthly sales to build up the money they have for emergencies. Abe also gives helpful tips for jewelry pricing and price points. Online Presence, Advertising, and Popular Jewelry Post-COVID-19Abe recaps the most important things for getting retailers back on track in the coming months. Victoria wonders what categories and types of jewelry might sell later in the year and asks about the bridal category in particular. Rob asks if Abe believes retail will continue its shrinking trend while emphasizing how important small business are. Victoria asks Abe about navigating jewelers' online presence, and Rob asks about best advertising practices during this time.

In this EpisodeIn this edition of The Jewelry District you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates interview Rhett Outten, co-owner of Croghan’s Jewel Box. Rhett talks about her store closing over six weeks ago, the logistics of running a store during the covid-19 crisis, and how her store’s online social presence has helped business. Listen Now[EMBED] Show Notes00:50 Introducing Rhett Outten, co-owner of Croghan’s Jewel Box.05:16 Victoria asks about Rhett’s store closing, and how they’ve managed despite the crisis.07:50 Rob asks about logistics of running a store.12:08 Rhett tells a story about a bridal customer.13:28 Rob asks about emergency small business loans; Victoria asks about social and online presence.16:58 Rob asks about store protocol; Victoria asks what Rhett is going to take with her after the crisis from this time. Episode CreditsHosts: Rob Bates and Victoria GomelskyEditor: Olivia BrileyProducer and engineer: Katey Clifford and Kathy PasseroPlugs: jckonline.com, @jckmagazine Show Recap Rhett Outten, Co-Owner of Chrogan’s Jewel BoxVictoria and Rob introduce their guest Rhett Outten, co-owner of Croghan’s Jewel Box in Charleston, South Carolina. Their family jewelry business has been around since 1903. The building was bought in the 1970s and is well over 100 years old. Rhett tells the story of her company spanning three generations of her family—starting with her grandfather, who has a hand engraver and bench jeweler, followed by her mother who brought out the retail aspects. Rhett manages the social media and online presence while her sister manages the more corporate side of things. The Impact of Store Closings While Rhett expected her store to be closed at least two weeks, she’s now going on over six. Rhett describes the ominous feeling she had at the beginning of the crisis when everything was beginning to shut down. What has helped keep the payroll going of their 27 employees was Rhett’s spearheading the social media side of things with a great online presence. You’ll hear Rhett talk about her sister’s idea for a “social distancing deal of the day.” Running a Store During COVIDRob asks Rhett about the difficulties she’s faced in running her store during this time. Rhett explains how she has created “zones” in her store—where only one person works in a zone at a time in order to practice social distancing in accordance with the recommendations in her city. They have a very small staff at any point in-store, have drive-by pickups for purchased jewelry, and have one-on-one private appointments to keep their store as clear of people as possible. A Happily Ever AfterYou’ll hear Rhett tell a touching story of a groom who came in looking for a custom ring to be made with family stones, on a timeline of six weeks. It wasn’t long before this groom just couldn’t wait to marry the love of his life anymore—so he asked Rhett if he could just get a diamond wedding band instead to marry his sweetheart as soon as possible—with a special engraving on the band. The Business Side of ThingsRob asks about PPP, loans, and small business emergency loans. Rhett has never had to apply for one before—but she was thankfully approved when she did during this time. Victoria asks about the chat function that Rhett has recently implemented on their website to keep in track with customers. It’s done through Podium’s platform and helps Rhett and her team to keep in touch with customers while everything is shut down. Sometimes human contact really is everything. Protocol While in the StoreThere are certain measures you can take to make sure your employees are staying safe during COVID-19. They vary by location, but some things Rhett is doing are making sure everyone uses face masks, wiping down everything with antiseptic wipes, and diligent hand sanitizer usage combined with frequent and hand washing. They also have one door to enter, and another to exit, as well as tape markers on the floor to maintain distance. Victoria asks if Rhett will be doing anything differently after this crisis is over—and Rhett says she’ll keep up her online presence.