True Tales

A Season When Custom-Set Teeth Earrings Were All the Rage

The trend didn’t last long, but the customer relationship did.

Published

4 years ago

September 16, 2020

INSTORE Staff Instore September 2020 Issue

Aa number of years ago, a woman came into my shop and asked if I would set a pair of human teeth into earrings. Never being one to shy away from any job, I agreed and set them up in a simple setting that was, as always, distinctly my look. So some of you are saying, “Eeew. Setting human teeth. Disgusting!” But that’s not the best part. A week after I had finished those up (and she was quite happy), one of my regular customers came in and asked me if I could set one of his teeth into an earring! The woman disappeared, but he’s still a customer, and when he’s in town, he brings in his tooth earring (along with the rest of his wife’s and his jewelry) to get it cleaned. — Daniel Spirer, Daniel R. Spirer Jewelers, Cambridge, MA

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”