Gem Quiz

And the Answer to February’s Gem Quiz Was …

And congratulations to the winner.

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2024

INSTORE Staff

And the Answer to February’s Gem Quiz Was …

“HARD LIKE IRON,” one contestant commented on his entry form. We think he was referring to the properties of Almandine, not February’s Gem Quiz. It certainly wasn’t too difficult for Irene Schrowang from Schneider’s Jewelers in Kingston, NY. She guessed the gemstone correctly and takes home this month’s grand prize – a Gem Geek t-shirt. Well done, Irene, and all our equally smart Honorable Mentions. Thanks everyone for playing. A new Gem Quiz will be posted soon.

Honorary Mentions

Stuart Adelman
Artelle Designs Fine Jewelry & Custom Design
Plymouth, MN

Greg Austin

Lee Ayers Jewelers
Stevens Point, WI

Matthew Baker
Sanders Diamond Jewelers
Pasadena, MD

Caroline Berrettini
New England Gem Lab
West Hartford, CT

Gino Blando, Sr
G. Blando Jewelers, Inc.
Countryside, IL

Tom Borowski
Gold Creations
Brookfield, WI

Denis Boulle
de Boulle
Dallas, Texas

Sarah Chacon
Fred Meyer Jewelers
Salem, OR

Lisa-Marie Delgado
Gary J Long Jewelers
Stockton, CA

Ed Fey
Fey & Co
Naperville, IL

Steve Glazer
Bob Richards Jewelers
Germantown, TN

Marcy Higashi
Louis Anthony Jewelers
Pittsburgh PA

Rachel Ingle
Vierk’s Fine Jewelry
Lafayette, IN

Natalya Johnson
Seattle Diamonds
Seattle, WA

Cindy Lanoux
Pattons Fine Jewelry
Baton Rouge, LA

Deb Lewandowski
Krieger Jewelers
Appleton, WI

Karen Kuhn
Arabesque Jewelers
High Ridge, MO

Troy Lob
Liberty Diamonds
Irvine, CA

Candace Mangiaracina
Pattons Fine Jewelry
Alexandria, LA

Mandy Mott
Greenleaf & Crosby
Palm Beach, FL

Emily Ruffin
Emily Benoist Ruffin Design
Taos, NM

Kate Shay
Scott & Co Fine Jewelers
New Oxford, PA

Dharti Sheth
Lika Behar Collecton
Carlstadt, NJ

Ashley Staples
Ehrhart’s Jewelers
Denton, TX

Jennifer Sullivan
Goodman’s Jewelers
Madison, WI

Joshua Summers
Orin Jewelers
Northville, MI

Katrina Sustachek
Rasmussen Diamonds
Racine, WI

Jeff Teel
Stuart Benjamin & Co.
San Diego, CA

Brian Wilson
Royal Diadem Jewelers
Greensboro, NC

Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration

After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.