(PRESS RELEASE) ROYAL OAK, MI – Gem Legacy, a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to gem mining communities, will hold a launch party Friday, Feb. 8, 8:30-10:00a.m. in the San Pedro Ballroom at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass.
The launch party will include free breakfast and mimosas with a lively discussion about the power of a gemstone and the possibilities and realities of transformation in gem mining communities. The event is open to all industry members. Attendees are kindly requested to RSVP at: gemlegacy.org/launchparty. The launch party will share the mission, goals, and initiatives of the organization, as well as future goals!
“We are excited to cast the vision of Gem Legacy and share this dream for transformation and industry-wide giving back,” said Roger Dery, executive director of Gem Legacy, Inc. “We are planning a time filled with thought-provoking conversation, time to discuss ideas for the future, and planning how we – the jewelry industry – can tell the stories of the good things gemstones are doing all around the world. We believe our desire to see gems change the world, one family, mine, and community at a time, will come to fruition.”
For more information or to RSVP, please email info@gemlegacy.org or visit gemlegacy.org/launchparty. To learn more, follow Gem Legacy on Instagram @thegemlegacy and on Facebook @thegemlegacy.
Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success
After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone.
Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently.
The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.
