2017 SJN/MAJN Media Planning Guide Southern Jewelry News 1 SJN MAMid-America JewelryJ NNews The longest runningS monthlyJ N M A J N Southern Jewelry News jewelry publication Mid-America Jewelry News October 2016 SOUTHERN JEWELRY NEWS 1 SOUTHERN JEWELRY NEWS AUGUST 2016 Vol 29 No. 10 “A Newspaper Dedicated to the Southern Jewelry Industry” October 2016 M The partnership that produced a golden egg Serving the id-AmericJewelry Industry in America’s Heartland Mid-America Jewelry News By Paul Holewa his mirror project Alex purchased old silver quarters made VOL 15 NO. 8 before 1964. “Quarters minted before that year were made Based on a mutual respect and appreciation for each of 90 percent silver,” says Alex. “This mirror was fabri- other’s artistic gifts and talents, Tim Wright and Alex cated entirely out of old US quarters.” Maryaskin have forged an inseparable bond that got its When Alex presented his hand-fabricated silver van- Jeweler helps staff with in America start in a jewelry store that promoted and fostered artistic ity mirror to Charlie, the store owner could not believe his a J expression in jewelry making. These were the founding eyes - same for Tim. Based on the incredible filigree work, gun safety training www.midamericaje ewelry News principles for the two artisans when they opened their own fabrication and overall workmanship Charlie agreed to put store where incredible jewelry designs are created as well the mirror in his store on consignment for $1,800. By Paul Holewa as works of art, including a Fabergé-style gold egg with a It took some time for the mirror to sell, but Alex’s welrynews.com freshers to reviewing take-in procedures at the 1 retail replacement value of $217,000. talents as a jeweler were immediately recognized. Alex Sales and support staff in je There are individuals that possess such incredible tal- began working closely with Tim at Charlie’s store and at of Amber’s Designs Fineroutinely Jewelry, go decide throughd to training add a new basics chapter from to product her staff’s training ents their skills force people to stop and take notice. For their home shops, doing everything from basic repairs to curriculum by offering a gun safety TX-based jewelry store. At KIM International, luxurious Tim, that moment happened in February 2001 when Alex custom pieces and other bench jewelry work as needed. welry stores across the country walked into Charlie’s Jewelry with an exquisitely crafted Sadly, Charlie passed away in March 2003. And, with repair counter. Amber Gustafson, owner silver vanity mirror. As an immigrant to the US from the 1 his passing came new management and new ways of man- course to each staff member working at her Katy, NEWS knowledge re Romance AUGUST 2016 Ukraine, money was tight for Alex. But he wanted to make JEWELRY aging the store. “In the past, Charlie gave us much in terms a special creation he could sell to make some money. And, SOUTHERN of creative freedom,” says Tim. “The only guidelines were - ® perhaps with a little luck and timing, find a work opportu- if we could sell it, we could make it. All that changed when extras that retailersline comes will with love nity at Charlie’s Jewelry in New- his kids took over the business.” Alex’s egg project took port News, VA. Tim and Alex worked for Charlie’s children for a cou- $25,000 in material By Liz Pinson Purchasing silver outright ple of years, but could tell the family business was hurting investment and 538 would be costly. To help save on and sales began to suffer. As proactive as they are creative, hours to complete. EWS At KIM International, Romance is precious metal investments for September 2016 Please see Egg page 34 leading the way. The diamond bridal col lection is the manufacturer’s premier line N gift card when they sell a ring. Romance and the industry’s “most extensive and utilizes our own RomanceWhite® alloy Mid-Americprofitablea diamond J program,” offering im which offers pristine whiteness and dura Adventure awaits you in Cleveland Serving the Jewelry Industry in America’s pressive features and support for indepen Overnight’s Retailer Survival - bility,” she adds. EWELRY dent retailers. the Southern Jewelry Industry” In addition to its innovative marketing September 2016 withJ Bluestone Trading Co. With “impeccable quality and style in , Guide for the changing marketAmber Gustafson with the former Los Angeles S.W.A.T. team officer who taught the gun safety course 18-karat gold and diamonds,” the Romance - - Looking for adventure in Cleveland, Ohio? Bluestone Trading Company’s founder at her store. Drive-through jewelry store?line features a lifetime warranty, says Judy - We’ve all seen the statistics on the changing jewelry market: the long-term retailers “A Newspaper DedicatedRB Grampp, to Sr. took a gamble that paid off in the precious metals industry. Like most Americans, Amber is concerned about gun-related crimes, especially Hopson, KIM International’s Marketing The year was 1978, and RB was living life on two wheels, traveling in everycall direction on Tuesday, and March suppliers 15 from going out of business, the growing market share for onlinethose shopping, committed and against jewelry stores. But Director. bers to voluntarily take Witha gun safety courseno serious injuries and a OUTHERN thatKentucky his motorcycle took him. Roaming Jeweler in the hustle and bustle of Cleveland, identifies hea stumbledman identifying the changinghimself as lifestyles Ken and tastes of Millennial consumers. According to the Jewelers Heartland“For the past decade, we have been S across a street sign that read Bluestone. From there Bluestone Trading was born.Wilison, a constructionBoard of Trade, company there are 13 percent fewer jewelry-only stores this yearStar compared State’s toLicense last. to Carry law that went into effect on January 1 this year. On June busy building the best diamond bridal pro Retailers of all stripes are fa- What can the independent jeweler do to survive all this change?13, One 2015, crucial the Texasthing Legislature’s bill allowing its citizens to carry gram in the industry, the Romance® Bridal Vol 29 No. 9 Starting from the bottom putting in the long hours, RB began buying preciousowner metals based out of Inglewood, great attitude, owner can laugh is to have strong suppliercular partners who are dedicated to helping the independent jeweler Collection,” she says. fromcredit local stores; visiting newsstandscard in Clevelamiliar scam nd,with going a host thro of creditugh newspapers card fromCalifornia, all that was looking for Amber’s decision to offer her 15 staff mem or today’s over the country, shifting through ad after ad,scams. cont Butacting Dallas and Beall, building president relationships loose the diamonds remain in competitive. very precise That’s why well-financed owner-operated suppliers that manufacture was mostly a reaction to changes in The Lone Romance emphasizes excellenceewelry in News - style as well as workmanship, at very old fashion way, with Midwestern values andof his Louisville, word. Kentucky-based weights andin thewas United very parti States are growing, despite the challenging environment. - By Paul Holewa profitable price-points. KIM specializes From there, RB continued down the DallasPlease Fine Jewelers, see Bluestone and his page lead 20 about colorCompanies and clarity like specifica Overnight- - are expanding by making their indepen- Please see Gun page 8 Retailer Roundtable a in “value and convenience, and offers all One occurrence is an anom sales associate Jan Button-Min- tions. dent retailer partners more successful. Retailer Roundtable Steve and Rosemary - “It struck me as being kind - the tools a retailer needs to succeed,” Judy Q: What are the biggest challenges f Here are four challenges of the changing market and how handguns openly was McQuerry, owners aly. Two instances of a particular says. independent retail jeweler? of odd thethat right he wanted supplier two partner di can help retailers turn them from The Jewelry Doctors event a coincidence. But, three - mondsthreats that were into 1.0-caratopportunities. and “Romance offers a lifetimeRetailer warranty Roundtable Pikeville, KY credit card scams from Cali on rings. We have a SPIF program that re 1.20-carats,”Challenge says Jan. 1: “He Custom was is Now High wards our retailer’s store personnel with a very specific about the weights. Q: Do you sell or plan to sell lab-grown diamonds in your store? “For us the biggest chal Tech - Custom jewelry is a growing VOL 15 NO. 6 • JUNE 2016 First and foremost, both had to Q: “When elected president, which candidate’s policies do you believe will lenge we face is competing withs and opportunity for the independent be GIA certified, they had to be benefit small businesses more?” the internet on diamond sales - jeweler. According to a recent sur- mainly“We’re Millennials. definitely Most hearing of the issuesmore forabout this synthet dem H to I in color and SI1 in clarity. - that and Big Box retailer vey by The Knot, more than 40% flict diamonds. This age group still feels somewhat uncomfortable with environmental im He wanted two diamonds because national chain stores. Gone are of engagement rings today are “For this presidential election I went back to the basics starting with the definitionpact and conflict of diamonds for well-known reasons. There are times when we’ll steer these one was for a gift for his wife and politics. It comes from the Greek word poly, meaning many [citizens], and ticks, which means support programs, KIM International of the days when jewelers made custom or customized. At the customers to Moissanite or a center-set colored stone in their jewelry, but it would be a the other was to be set in a brooch blood-sucking insects.