GEEKING OUT: Gem Quiz winner Allison Manny from Darrah Cooper Jewelers in Lake Placid, N.Y. proudly shows off her Jewelry Geek T-shirt. Have a pic of yourself reading INSTORE or wearing a Brain Squad or Jewelry Geek T-shirt? Send it to us at editor@smartworkmedia.com.
The Trend’s Your Friend
We’re seeing a huge increase in the percentage of our sales coming from trend items. It’s actually becoming easier to manage our inventory by focusing on trends and bridal.
— Jodi Winters, J.L. Winters Jewelers, Muncy, PA
This article originally appeared in the February 2016 edition of INSTORE.
Betrayed by the Net
I’m still trying to get used to that occasional engagement-ring guy who thinks the world of us, trusts us so much, values our opinion and advice and uses it to pick our brains so he can shop his diamond on the Internet because that’s what his friend did. I know that that’s just a few … I still am helpful but not like I was 47 years ago. Sigh. — Ila Schulman, Golddiggers Jeweler, Block Island, RI.
Staying Relevant
The industry is scary. We are going to reinvent ourselves this year to try and stay relevant. — Nicholas Pronko, Steve Pronko Diamonds, Dickson City, PA
Where’s the next gen?
Very few kids are coming to the door looking to be a goldsmith. Thirty years ago I was one of dozens looking to find work as a goldsmith. Today, they are all playing computer games. The quality of fine students is down drastically. They are too entitled, too me, no work ethic — work Saturdays? They laugh! These kids don’t know what hungry means. — Stephen Ware, Ware Designs, Lafayette, CA
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