And congratulations to our winner.
Derrick Allen, the winner of our latest Gem Quiz, admits the stone in question had puzzled him long before he picked up the December copy of INSTORE. “What I thought was turquoise for the longest time, was actually hemimorphite,” he explained, adding that it’s not a gemstone that is seen often, “but it’s always a treat” when it does cross his path. Congratulations to Derrick, a jewelry consultant at Graham Jewelers in Wayzata, MN, who wins this month’s “Jewelry Geek” T-shirt. And also to all this month’s Honorable Mentions for providing the correct answer. Well done, everyone.
Honorable Mentions
Shevvy Baker
SPB Designs c/o The Watch Shop
Louisville, KY
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Diane C. Caldwell
Diamond Buyer
Mark Schneider
Long Beach, CA
Bryan Cavitt
Images Jewelers, Inc
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Elkhart, IN
Tim Clinton
Main Street Jewelers
Klamath Falls, OR
Cecelia Collins
Robinson Jewelers
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Greenville, NC
Jonathan Hart
Karen’s Jewelers
Oak Ridge, TN
Jen Huang, GIA AJP
Sparkles Fine Jewelry
Chicago, IL
Todd Huebner
Josephs Jewelers
Des Moines, IA
Gary Hurdle
Casa de Oro Jewelers
Corpus Christi, TX
Cay Hutton
Hutton’s Jewelry and Gifts
Sugar Land, TX
Kathy Jenkins
Bravo Jewellers
Carlsbad, California
Marcia Kertel
Letrek Jewelry by Marcia Kertel Designs
Las Vegas, NV
Joseph Korona
Korona Jewelry
Buffalo, NY
MaryAnne LaRussa
Futer Bros. Jewelers
York, PA
Patrick McNeill
Garwood’s Jeweler’s
Fort Collins, CO
Paula Morgan
TravelWares
FL
Heather Olson
Husar’s House of Fine Diamonds
West Bend, WI
Phyllis Painter
Lesley Ann Jewels
Houston, TX
Grace Plaster
Goulds Diamonds and Jewelry
Anoka, MN
Chuck Pollak
Fast-Fix Jewelry and Watch Repair
Victor, NY
Shannon Prade
American Gem and Jewelry
Oceanside, CA
Dottie Sheth
Lika Behar Collection
Carlstadt, NJ
Erica Smith
Gruno’s Diamonds
Rockford, IL
Alison Wright
Mark Schneider Design
Long Beach, CA
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.
