(PRESS RELEASE) Zillion, the jewelry insurer that offers 1-Click insurance at point of sale, has formed the Zillion Jewelry Innovation Council with venerable jewelry industry leaders Phyllis Bergman, Ronnie VanderLinden, Jeff Fischer and Patti Geolat, as its founding members. Members have served on, and in most cases chaired, industry boards and organizations such as the Jewelers Board of Trade, American Gem Society, 24 Karat Club of NY, Women’s Jewelers Assoc., U.S. Jewelry Council, and the World Diamond Council.
The purpose of Zillion’s Jewelry Innovation Council is to bring industry experts together to discuss opportunities and overcome challenges to providing more transparency and value-added services to the jewelry industry. With its primary focus on better serving the end customer, the council seeks to help the industry create differentiation and better experiences for consumers.
“We are excited about the approach Zillion has taken to provide increased transparency to customers” said Ronnie VanderLinden, president of Diamond Manufacturers & Importers of America. “The industry is ready to expand consumer education, and provide new solutions to an ever changing customer”.
“Council members are interested in promoting the industry they love and to create customer delight in partnership with jewelers and industry stakeholders,” said Adam Black, co-founder and managing director of Zillion. “We are aligned and overjoyed to be in partnership with four industry experts who have dedicated their careers to bettering the jewelry industry.” Phyllis Bergman, former CEO of Mercury Ring added, “We have always been at the forefront of change, and we look to continue our efforts to exceed customer expectations”.
Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."
