Repair Stop
“Play it Safe” (Shane Decker, page 90, June INSTORE) was right on the mark. Sometimes we get busy or have had a bad day and we forget the Rules of Repair. Thanks for making us stop and remember them. The last three sentences are sad but so true: some people will try to take advantage of you. — Patty Wedemeier, Elegant Jewelers, Sugar Land, TX
Cover-Up
I was a bit bummed with your cover this past issue. The jewelry was twisted in such a way you couldn’t see the design. The necklace was completely covered, the watch was showing only the band and it just didn’t seem up to par with previous covers. Please keep the jewelry the focal point! — Morgan Bartel, Susann’s Custom Jewelers, Corpus Christi, TX
Give Them What They Want, Just Better
A note about this month’s custom design question (One Quick Question, page 16): As a designer, it is my obligation to make every client’s request, even the goofiest one, into something I am proud of. It took me years to understand this, but not going the easy route (just make what they asked for) and instead make what they asked for into a beautiful piece of jewelry; that is a uniquely fulfilling task to accomplish. — Mark Clodius, Clodius & Co. Jewelers, Rockford, IL
Blinded by the White
As we shopped the recent JCK show it seemed that it was awash with white metals, white stones to the point where it all looked the same. It even seemed hard to distinguish a $30,000 diamond ring from a $30 silver and CZ ring. It dawned on us that consumers walking into a store might get the same feeling. On the flip side, yellow gold, rose gold, adding some color stone designs jumped out at us. It became the way to go for us to freshen up our store this time around. — Alex Weil, Martin’s Jewelry, Manhattan Beach, CA
Last Weed Standing
The past few tough years in our jewelry industry have been a good “weeding-out” for the industry. But, those of us who have survived should become increasingly more creative in order not to get weeded out ourselves. Good luck, everyone! — Sanjay Rupani, Gold Coin Inc., Laredo, TX