Headlines

Jeweler-Turned-Author Analyzes Our Jewelry Obsession

Published

9 years ago

January 4, 2016

INSTORE Staff

Human nature explains a lot, she says.

Professional jeweler and scientist Aja Raden spoke with The Boston Globe about her new book, “Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession and How Desire Shapes the World,” a narrative nonfiction that explores jewelry in the context of history and human psychology.

When asked where our jewelry obsession comes from, she replies: “Beauty has a very powerful effect on the human brain. And scarcity has an even more powerful effect. … When you think other people are getting something and you might not, your brain really freaks out. So the jewelry industry was poised to exist from the day human beings stood up and started acting like human beings.”

Raden tackles other issues in her Q&A with the Globe, including the rise of the engagement ring.

Retiring? Let Wilkerson Do the Heavy Lifting

Retirement can be a great part of life. As Nanji Singadia puts it, “I want to retire and enjoy my life. I’m 78 now and I just want to take a break.” That said, Nanji decided that the best way to move ahead was to contact the experts at Wilkerson. He chose them because he knew that closing a store is a heavy lift. To maximize sales and move on to the next, best chapter of his life, he called Wilkerson—but not before asking his industry friends for their opinion. He found that Wilkerson was the company most recommended and says their professionalism, experience and the homework they did before the launch all helped to make his going out of business sale a success. “Wilkerson were working on the sale a month it took place,” he says. “They did a great job.”