SJN Southern Jewelry News MA The longest runningMid-America monthly JewelryJ NewsN 2017 SJN/MAJN Media Planning Guide jewelry publicationS Southern JewelryJ NewsN 1 in America A NJM October 2016 Mid-America Jewelry News SOUTHERN Vol 29 No. 10 The partnership that produced a golden egg “A Newspaper Dedicated to the Southern Jewelry Industry” By Paul Holewa JEWELRY SOUTHERN Based on a mutual respect and appreciation for each JEWELRY NEWS other’s artistic gifts and talents, Tim Wright and Alex 1 Maryaskin have forged an inseparable bond that got its start in a jewelry store that promoted and fostered artistic N expression in jewelry making. These were the founding EWS principles for the two artisans when they opened their own store where incredible jewelry designs are created as well as works of art, including a Fabergé-style gold egg with a October 2016 retail replacement value of $217,000. his mirror project Alex purchased old silver quarters made AUGUST 2016 There are individuals that possess such incredible tal- ents their skills force people to stop and take notice. For before 1964. “Quarters minted before that year were made Tim, that moment happened in February 2001 when Alex of 90 percent silver,” says Alex. “This mirror was fabri- walked into Charlie’s Jewelry with an exquisitely crafted cated entirely out of old US quarters.” silver vanity mirror. As an immigrant to the US from the M When Alex presented his hand-fabricated silver van- Serving the Jewelry Industry in America’s Heartland Ukraine, money was tight for Alex. But he wanted to make ity mirror to Charlie, the store owner could not believe his a special creation he could sell to make some money. And, eyes - same for Tim. Based on the incredible filigree work, id-Americ perhaps with a little luck and timing, find a work opportu- fabrication and overall workmanship Charlie agreed to put VOL 15 NO. 8 nity at Charlie’s Jewelry in New- the mirror in his store on consignment for $1,800. 2021 PLANNING GUIDEport News, VA. It took some time for the mirror to sell, but Alex’s Jeweler helps staff with talents as a jeweler were immediately recognized. Alex Purchasing silver outright would be costly. To help save on began working closely with Tim at Charlie’s store and at September 2016 precious metal investments for Alex’s egg project took their home shops, doing everything from basic repairs to gun safety training SOUTHERN JEWELRY NEWS 1 Mid-America Jewelry News custom pieces and other bench jewelry work as needed. $25,000 in material By Paul Holewa investment and 538 Sadly, Charlie passed away in March 2003. And, with hours to complete. his passing came new management and new ways of man- freshers to reviewing take-in procedures at the repair counter. Amber Gustafson, owner Adventure awaits you in Cleveland aging the store. “In the past, Charlie gave us much in terms of Amber’s Designs Fine Jewelry, decided to add a new chapter to her staff’s training of creative freedom,” says Tim. “The only guidelines were curriculum by offering a gun safety course to each staff member working at her Katy, OUTHERN if we could sell it, we could make it. All that changed when TX-based jewelry store. EWELRY Sales and support staff in jewelry stores across the country S withJ Bluestone Trading Co. NEWS routinely go through training basics from product knowledgewww.midamericajewelrynews.com re- a J Vol 29 No. 9 “A Newspaper Dedicated to the Southern Jewelry Industry” his kids took over the business.” September 2016 Looking for adventure in Cleveland, Ohio? Bluestone Trading Company’s founder Tim and Alex worked for Charlie’s children for a cou- RB Grampp, Sr. took a gamble that paid off in the precious metals industry. ple of years, but could tell the family business was hurting ewelry News and sales began to suffer. As proactive as they are creative, The year was 1978, and RB was living life on two wheels, traveling in every direction Retailer Roundtable thatKentucky his motorcycle took him. Roaming inJeweler the hustle and bustle of Cleveland, identifies he stumbled across a street sign that read Bluestone. From there Bluestone Trading was born. Q: What are the biggest challenges for today’s Overnight’s RetailerPlease seeSurvival Egg page 34 Starting from the bottom putting in the long hours, RB began buying precious metals independent retail jeweler? from local stores; visiting newsstands in Cleveland, going through newspapers from all At KIM International, luxurious over thecredit country, shifting through card ad after ad, contacting scam and building relationships the Guide for the changing market Steve and Rosemary old fashion way, with Midwestern values and his word. McQuerry, owners By Paul Holewa Retailers of all stripes are fa- From there, RB continued down the call on Tuesday, MarchWe’ve 15 all from seen the statistics on the changing jewelry market: the long-term retailers Romance The Jewelry Doctors miliar with a host of credit card a man identifyingand suppliershimself as going Ken out of business, the growing market share for online shopping, and One occurrence is an anom- Pikeville, KY scams. But Dallas Beall, president Wilison, a constructionthe changing company lifestyles and tastes of Millennial consumers. According to the Jewelers 1 aly. Two instances of a particular of Louisville, Kentucky-based owner basedBoard out of of Inglewood, Trade, there are 13 percent fewer jewelry-only stores this year compared to last. extras that retailers will love “For us the biggest chal- event a coincidence. But, three Dallas Fine Jewelers, and his lead California, that was looking for Mid-America Jewelry® News Please see Bluestone page 20 What can the independent jeweler do to survive all this change? One crucial thing By Liz Pinson lenge we face is competing with credit card scams from Cali- sales associate Jan Button-Min- is to have strong supplier partners who are dedicated to helping the independent jewelerAmber Gustafson with the former Los Angeles S.W.A.T.Serving team officer the Jewelry who taught Industry the gun safety in America’s course Heartland loose diamonds in very precise at her store. line comes with the internet on diamond sales - weights andremain was verycompetitive. particular That’s why well-financed owner-operated suppliers that manufacture in the United States are growing, despite the challenging environment. AUGUST 2016 that and Big Box retailers and about color and clarity specifica- those committedLike most againstAmericans, jewelry AmberDrive-through stores. is Butconcerned Amber’s about decision gun-related to offer jewelry crimes,her 15 staff especially mem- store? leadingAt the KIM way. International, The diamond Romance bridal col- is national chain stores. Gone are tions. Companies like Overnight are expanding by making their indepen- bers to voluntarily take a gun safety course was mostly a reaction to changes in The Lone lection is the manufacturer’s premier line the days when jewelers made dent retailer partners more successful. Star State’s License to Carry law that went into effect on January 1 this year. On June and the industry’s “most extensive and “It struck me as being kind profitable diamond program,” offering im- a decent profit on diamonds. of odd that Herehe wanted are four two challenges dia- of the changing market and how 13, 2015, the Texas Legislature’sWith bill allowing no its citizensserious to carry handguns injuries openly was and a the right supplier partner can help retailers turn them from pressive features and support for indepen- It seems those days have been monds that were 1.0-carat and dent retailers. threats into opportunities. great attitude, owner can laugh gone for about 25 to 30 years 1.20-carats,” says Jan. “He was gift card when they sell a ring. Romance now. To counter the thin mar- very specificChallenge about 1:the Custom weights. is Now High 18-karatWith gold “impeccable and diamonds,” quality the and Romance style in Tech - Custom jewelry is a growing utilizes our own RomanceWhite® alloy, gins we are pricing diamonds First and foremost, both had to line features a lifetime warranty, says Judy which offers pristine whiteness and dura- opportunity for the independent Retailer Roundtable Hopson, KIM International’s Marketing as competitively as we can and be GIA certified, they had to be bility,” she adds. jeweler. According to a recent sur- Director. making up for it on repairs and H to I in color and SI1 in clarity. The staff at Bluestone Trading Company: (l-r, back row) Ryan Cook, RB Grampp, Sr., Ritchie Grampp and vey by The Knot, more than 40% In addition to its innovative marketing custom work. For our store, re- Please see Gun page 8 KC Bockhoff. (front row) Dave Hunt, Tory Dobbins, Morgann Grampp, Sue Heidelhoff and Cody Grampp. Heof wantedengagement two ringsdiamonds today because are busy building“For the the past best decade, diamond we bridal have pro-been pairs make up about 70 percent gram in the industry, the Romance® Bridal onecustom was or for customized. a gift for his At wifethe and of revenues and custom work about 30 percent. So far it has been work- Collection,” she says. samethe other time, was custom to be design set in hasa brooch ing very well for us. This has been a banner year for us: we’re rocking becomethat belonged more competitive to his mother.” and rolling in 2016! We’ve also made some adjustments to our adver- This altered CA license was used in a suspicious attempt to buy diamonds by style asRomance well as emphasizesworkmanship, excellence at very in thanks Theto computer-aided potential customer de- also profitable price-points.