Press Releases

Noted Jewelry Writer Rob Bates Authors Diamond District Mystery Novel

It’s intended as the first book in a series.

Published

3 years ago

October 29, 2020

INSTORE Staff

(PRESS RELEASE) Longtime jewelery-industry journalist Rob Bates has pubished a murder mystery novel set in the New York City Diamond District.

The book, the first in a planned series, is called A Murder Is Forever. Published by Camel Press, it hit bookstore shelves and major online platforms earlier this month.

According to promotional materials for the novel: “A part-time accountant in New York City’s Diamond District finds herself in the middle of a massive conspiracy that could turn the worldwide gem business upside down.

“It looked like the diamond dealer was killed for his million-dollar pink rock. Then his cousin discovered the killer was after something more valuable: Its secret.

“Welcome to New York’s Diamond District, where beautiful gems can have ugly histories.”

Bates serves as news director for JCK. He’s also a comedy writer and performer whose work has appeared on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update segment, comedycentral.com, and McSweeney’s. He has also written for Time Out New York, New York Newsday, and Fastcompany.com.

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”