True Tales: Engaging Stories

Published

11 years ago

September 17, 2013

True Tales: Engaging Stories

BY INSTORE TEAM

True Tales: Engaging Stories

Published in the October 2013 issue

CAUTIONARY TALE

I was showing sapphire engagement rings to a gentleman. He seemed trustworthy, so I disregarded caution and began piling a number of rings on the velvet mat for him to compare. He suddenly stopped me: “Should you be having so many rings out?”

I stammered: “Well, you look like a nice person …”

“I should be, he said: I am the chief of police here! And you should be more cautious!”

But the story does not end there. After we had a chuckle and I promised to be more careful, I asked him how he had met his fiancée-to-be. “She was with a crowd who came to the station to demonstrate against us,” he said. “They carried signs and chanted slogans.”

“But,” I protested, “why then make contact with someone who is against you?”

“Ah,” he said knowingly, “Protesters are interesting!”

I did sell them a sapphire ring, and these two are now married 20 years. — Eve J. Alfillé, Eve J. Alfillé Gallery and Studio, Evanston, IL

FLAWED COMMENT

I once had an attractive young lady in with her fiancé looking at engagement rings. She had on a low-cut blouse that emphasized her cleavage. As I was taking them through diamond grading I noted an inclusion under the microscope and blurted out: “Take a look at that cleavage on the right.” I looked up and all three of us just burst into laughter. — Gary Youngberg, Ames Silversmithing, Ames, IA

GENTLE REMINDER

I had a client direct me to make an engagement ring for her son, using the center diamond from her failed marriage. The obvious question kept gnawing at me, and I eventually had to ask while we were designing it: “Why would you let your son get engaged with this stone? The history of it seems … less then romantic.” My client coolly replied, “That’s the whole point: So he is reminded every day not to turn into the @$$hole his father is.” — Deric Metzger, DeMer Jewelry, Oceanside, CA

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”