More of the Weirdest Things in Jewelry Stores: 39 Jewelers Share

SO IN THE FEBRUARY EDITION of INSTORE, after asking readers “What’s the weirdest thing in your store?”, we published the bananas answers — dinosaur poop pendants, glass eye rings, an elf named “Bling Crosby.” But, the fact is, that was just the tip of the weird iceberg. Below: the full iceberg. Read them all — including a suspicious number of jewelers who simply answered “Me.”

• “We have a female customer who looks just like George Washington!” — Jon W., Virginia Beach, VA
• “Cabbage Patch-looking doll on display for our children’s items that we have had over 40 years. Many customers have offered to purchase, but she is a part of the store family.” — Mark R., Seneca Falls, NY
• “Either the good luck frog or the [official!] Festivus Pole” — Mark & Monika C., Rockford, IL
• “It depends who you ask! It might be the bison skulls or the hanging gardens or the black iron ravens.” — Ellie T., Chicago, IL
• “A Harry Potter Hogwarts House Point Tracker Jelly Bean counter to boost morale.” — Dianna Rae H., Lafayette, LA
• “Frankenstein’s head sitting on top of shelf for the month of October.” — Barry F., Bardonia, NY

A bronze statue of a cat standing upright and holding a tray where you can put trinkets or business cards. People comment on it all the time!” — Angela C., Atascadero, CA

• “We have a set of puffer fish sterling earrings and a sterling angler fish pendant in our Estate case. Both very detailed and well made.” — Cliff Y., Lowell, MI
• “A HUGE carved coral ring. Looks like a brain.” — Cindy S., Southport, NC
• “A beaver tusk pendant, custom ordered…” — James D., Kingston, NH
• “A replica of DaVinci’s forging machine.” — Susan M., Dunedin, FL
• “We have a seasonal tradition of hiding gnomes around the office.” — Cheryl K., Lincoln, NE
• “Christmas lights and decorations. As a kid brought up in a Jewish home, never had them so it seems odd to put them up, but I do add in a menorah.” — David B., Calgary, AB, Canada
• “A basement full of sales tickets going back to our first year of business 50 years ago.” — Jeff M., Knoxville, TN

• “A large, ornate rose-cut diamond Georgian brooch.” — Lee K., Montgomery, OH
• “First we have two levels. Our studio is under our showroom in our very secure basement. Yes it is kinda like Vegas down there; you can’t tell the weather or what time of day it is but you can get LOTS of work done. The entrance is a hole in the floor and a ‘Fireman’s Ladder’ (25 degree angle) actually a very steep staircase. Customers freak when we RISE out of the Dungeon. But our clientele has no idea how many of us are working at any given juncture … great safety measure besides the fact you can walk away from a full desk without fear of a security breach.” — Denise O., La Grange, IL
• “All our displays, always. Diane, my daughter and display artist, utilizes extremely weird objects to use in fascinating displays — old stock certificates, kiln-slumped glass bottles and other glass objects, you name it! And our silver ring samples, available for customers to try on, are housed in an old type cabinet we found in the alley, as an example.” — Eve J. A., Evanston, IL

“A big neon sign on one of the windows that reads ‘watch and jewelry repairs on premises’ — it doesn’t work at all. I look at it every day and I wonder why still there? Somehow I never find the time to remove it.” — Liliana M., East Patchogue, NY

• “We have many large rocks on display in the store. Labradorite, Quartz, petrified wood and a copper splash on the wall.” — Tim W., Yorktown, VA
• “Customers! We show before picture and one swore it didn’t look like the before picture. We explained and explained. She walked out saying that wasn’t her ring in the before picture. It also matched the description on the repair envelope she signed.” — Christine M., Boyertown, PA
• “I would have to say, sometimes it’s the customers. But we are seasoned veterans and can handle it.” — Brenda N., El Segundo, CA
• “The lighting system in one area of the store makes some weird noises.” — Steven R., Houston, TX
• “Trying to keep it unweird! It is getting to be just like I want it but it takes time, money, and decision making!” — Susan E., El Paso, TX
• “I have several unique pieces but I’m not sure I’d call them ‘weird.'” — Marc M., Midland, TX

“Nothing weird … should there be something weird? If it’s weird, shouldn’t it be removed?” — Tom D., Warren, OH

• “Lack of clients to buy from our showcases, three weeks to Christmas. Only custom.” — Mark R., Ottawa, ON, Canada
• “Our store specializes in weird.” — Betsy B., San Francisco, CA
• “One of our long-time employees — but just a little.” — James S., Lowell, IN
• “My husband.” — Jo G., Oconomowoc, WI
• “Other than me?” — Stew B., Natick, MA
• “Probably me…” — Klaus K., Bristol, RI
• “My humor.” — Bill E., Terre Haute, IN
• “Dogs.” — Steve & Pat D., Tarrytown, NY

• “Stuffed animals.” — Scott M., Jacksonville, MD
• “Us.” — Gretchen S., Sherman Oaks, CA
• “Me!” — Joe C., Bristol, RI
• “Me.” — Casey G., Orleans, MA
• “Me.” — Jeff W., University City, MO
• “Me.” — Gregory F., Washington, NJ