Two Out of Three Surveyed Jewelers Say They Don’t Follow Celebrity Jewelry News

Do you follow celebrity-related jewelry news?

Yes: 35%

• Only what I read in INSTORE or JCK. — Don Unwin, Sterling Jewelers, Wethersfield, CT
• It is good see what the trends may be — good or bad. — Joseph Villarreal, Villarreal Fine Jewelers, Austin, TX
• Because it offers talking points with customers when selling and projects possible upcoming trends our industry should prep for. — Rebecca Larson, Barry Peterson Jewelers, Ketchum, ID
• A little. For instance, the attention to two-stone rings a la Jackie Kennedy might be something to riff off of with remounts and new rings for the mature aged customer. Young people don’t know Jackie. — John Carom, Abby’s Gold & Gems, Uniontown, PA
• Yes, but to a point. I try to see what jewelry “stars” and “celebrities” are wearing plus know enough to maintain a conversation with customers and associates about them. — Jon Walp, Long Jewelers, Virginia Beach, VA
• I do, but in small doses. I like knowing what is happening with trends, but it doesn’t influence our “conservative Midwest” shopper all that much. — Michelle Thompson, Craig Husar Fine Diamonds and Jewelry Designs, Brookfield, WI
• Always need to be aware of what the public is seeing. — Joel Wiland, J. David’s Jewelry, Broken Arrow, OK
• I find it interesting to see what celebrities choose. Confession: I started watching The Bachelor/Bachelorette to support our friends at Brevani and to see and admire what young, fashion-forward people are wearing. — Jill Keith, Enchanted Jewelry, Danielson, CT
• We definitely get young women in who want to see engagement rings similar to what someone “famous” recently got. So it’s good to be somewhat fluent in that. I also like to see what is hitting the auction houses and if it was worn by someone of note. This is moreso just out of curiosity than anything! — Melissa Quick, Steve Quick Jeweler, Chicago, IL
• It’s fun to see what celebrities choose to wear. — Gloria Horn, Donaldson’s Jewelers, Topeka, KS
• Some, but I do not seek it out. We need jewelry in the public eye, and people who are in the limelight are not only influencers of our industry but also a gauge to what may be in style and selling in the future. — Amber Gustafson, Amber’s Designs, Katy, TX
• I can show clients a celebrity has their necklace, ring, earrings or bracelet. — Bradley Marks, IW Marks, Houston, TX
• Celebrities are trendsetters. Clothing, makeup, hairstyles, vacations, jewelry, etc. People want what the “cool kids” have. — Jeremy Auslander, Roxbury Jewelry, Los Angeles, CA

No: 65%

• Usually when something becomes a buzz, only one or two clients are interested. — Scott McQuaid, In House Jewelers, Jacksonville, MD
• We pay attention to trends, but they take a while to reach the Midwest, so it doesn’t always feel terribly relevant. There’s so much else to read/learn, celebs don’t speak to our clients. — Lucy Conklin, Toner Jewelers, Overland Park, KS
• It is all big B.S. A subculture of emptiness. — Mark Rozanski, Goldart, Ottawa, ON
• So many of the celebrities are people I can’t relate to at all. — Laura Sipe, JC Sipe, Indianapolis, IN
• Celebrities tend to wear jewelry that’s unattainable for most. Plus, my market couldn’t care less about what Hollywood wears. — Marc Majors, Sam L. Majors, Midland, TX
• Dumb people with no brains follow celebrities. — Barry’s Estate Jewelry, Bardonia, NY