Do Jewelers Use Video Conferencing? 63% Say No

Yes, It’s Had a Major Impact: 3%

• It is very effective. Keeps the team engaged and connected. We use it daily. One on one meetings, small group meetings and all team meetings. Also, connect with clients via “virtual events.” this has been very popular and successful. — Rob Divinski, JB Hudson, Minneapolis, MN
• Weekly, effective. It made sales possible that otherwise would not have happened. — Jill Keith, Enchanted Jewelry, Danielson, CT
• It helps me to see that actual diamond or wedding band with a supplier to see how it sparkles or how the finish is. — Shahraz Kassam, Shamin Jewellers, Surrey, BC
• Internally, it has helped with morale and motivation. Externally, it has made sales! — Steven B. Goldfarb, Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler, Bellevue, WA
• Working from home allows me to connect at any time with a customer in the store. We have a new platform that allows us to have one on one with our customers and show product that we have in stock and can sell from this platform. I’d rather work with a rep via video than traveling to marketing in NYC or Vegas. — Tom Duma, Thom Duma Fine Jewelers, Warren, OH

Some, But Not Significantly: 34%

• I’m old, I hate it! But if a company or customer insists, I will do it. Not often. — Christine Matlack, E.G. Landis Jewelers, Boyertown, PA
• FaceTime mainly if needed. RJO virtual show coming up later this month — will use video a lot, will see how it goes. — Tom R. Nelson, Nelson Jewelry, Spencer, IA
• It’s been very effective and efficient for us. I sometimes prefer it. You can make things happen a little quicker it seems. There are some hurdles though! Natasha Henderson, Saxon’s Fine Jewelers, Bend, OR
• Will use it only for known vendors. Unknown vendors cannot showcase the quality with video. Generally do not like it at all. — Dale Thompson, Ken K. Thompson Jewelry, Bemidji, MN
• We have been using FaceTime and Zoom more since the pandemic than ever before, but at the end of the discussions, most people want to come into the store to work out the final details. — Garry Zimmerman, Windy City Diamonds, Chicago, IL
• We are still figuring it out but recognize the importance of it. — Kelly Jensen, Plateau Jewelers, Sammamish, WA

Not at All: 63%

• Only personal and volunteer positions. I’m a handshake gal, and it feels chintzy somehow to do business over Zoom. — Erin McMichael Hess, Extinctions, Lancaster, PA
• The good old telephone still reaches my suppliers, and I have no staff to worry about (other than the cat who gives me strange looks when I talk to her). — James Doggett, Doggett Jewelry, Kingston, NH
• Haven’t had a need to and don’t want to. — James Sickinger, Sickinger’s Jewelry, Lowell, IN
• We use video conferencing with customers, but not vendors. They haven’t offered it to us, or aren’t even up and running enough to do this. — Beth Cevasco, Scott’s Custom Jewelers, Fairlawn, OH