The Plumb Club’s Podcast

Timeless or Trendy? Navigating Trends and Classics in Jewelry

One of the most exciting and continuous debates among jewelry merchandisers is the age-old question of stocking the classics vs. more trendy styles. In this episode by jewelry manufacturer H.K. Designs and Craft Lab Grown Diamonds, Jeffrey Cohen, explains to listeners why some jewelry styles stand the test of time, while others come and go. He discusses what makes a piece a classic and why we are drawn to trends, and how a retailer can balance both when building a merchandise plan. H.K. Designs is part of the Hari Krishna Group, a vertically integrated company known for pioneering innovations and creating cutting-edge designs.

Custom Design and What The Next-Gen Consumer Expects

The jewelry purchase is not only about the glamor and exclusivity of the amazing gems and materials of a piece. The jewelry purchase is about being part of the most important parts and meaningful commemorations that a consumer will have in their lives. Joseph Sanger of Shah Luxury explains who the “next-gen” customer is and talks about their expectations of jewelers and the industry overall. He outlines what custom design means and why it can be a win/win/win for the customer, the retail jeweler and a retail vendor. He also provides insights and tips that can be used in-store during sales presentations and customer communications. The Shah Luxury Group is a leader in pushing boundaries of technology, innovation, and design. They strive to product world-class jewelry that appeals to clients in the US, Canada and other markets across the globe.

The Importance of Customized Orders in Shorter Lead Time

The digital age has reshaped customer expectations across every industry by serving up instantly gratifying experiences that seem as if they have been tailored to the individual. In this podcast by The Jasani Group, the listener will hear how this newfound customer expectation extends to the jewelry industry and what customers look for in both product and personalization. Listeners will learn about a number of tools that support digital customization and how customer and businesses can collaborate to create unique pieces and keep the customers engaged and informed throughout the entire process. The Jasani Group is a vertically integrated company with expertise in all facets of the diamond industry, from rough diamond trading, to state-of-the-art diamond manufacturing, global distribution, jewelry manufacturing and marketing of branded jewelry.

10 Pearl Myths Busted

Pearls are enjoying a renaissance of popularity, but there are still some preconceptions that need to be clarified to help a retailer take advantage of the increased awareness and boost their pearl sales. In this podcast, on behalf of Mastoloni, Cheryl Kremkow breaks down the top 10 pearl myths that many customers believe and demonstrates how, in fact, many of these beliefs are outdated and no longer true. She also provides great information on the numerous varieties of pearls that exist, as well as their origin and growth as well as the factors that go into the grading of pearls – “The 6 S’s”! Once a retailer understands the true pearl facts, they can dispel the myths and preconceptions and guide their customers to the perfect pearl strand or style that will suit them best. Mastoloni is one of the most trusted and respected pearl industry veterans known worldwide for its ability to supply virtually any cultured pearl desired.

The Disruption in the Diamond Market/Effect on the Colored Gemstone Space

The disruption in the diamond market is creating a growing space for the colored gemstone category. The team at Sandeep Diamonds talks about how the category is booming and a retailer’s advantages of being in the colored gemstone market. They take the listener through the positive changes in the mining of colored gemstones with more operations valuing transparency, responsible mining practices and corporate responsibility. They highlight the new opportunities the boom has provided for the more exotic varieties in the category, identifying it as one of the biggest opportunities that has happened in years. However, they also outline the potential challenges that a retailer needs to consider when entering this market. Founded in 1986, Sandeep Diamond Corporation caters to major retailers in the US and in Latin America.

Bridal & Anniversary: Your Gateway to a Customer for Life

Clienteling during the engagement ring sale is the key to ensuring repeat business. In this podcast, on behalf of Goldstar, the listener will receive helpful tips on how to create engagement ring customer experiences that lay the groundwork for the wedding band sale. Then, with the wedding date in hand, an anniversary ring, or other anniversary gifts are the pathway to creating a loyal customer

Selling The Magic of Birthstones

For millennia, gemstones were valued as much for their power as for their beauty. In this podcast, on behalf of LALI Jewels, we explore the long and illustrious tradition of birthstones, their lore and significance, their popularity and how customers are wearing birthstones today. Helping customers make a meaningful connection to their birthstone can set a retailer up for a lifetime of gifting and collecting opportunities, thereby building repeat business with that customer.

The Future of Sustainable Jewelry Manufacturing

Embracing sustainable practices isn’t just about “doing good” or a marketing buzzword. It’s about staying competitive, meeting customer expectations and positioning your business for the future. Alex Morgan, Director of Sustainability and Innovation at MJJ Brilliant discusses the current state of sustainable practices in jewelry manufacturing, strategies a retailer can implement to embrace sustainability, and future trends and innovations that are shaping the sustainable jewelry movement. MJJ Brilliant is widely recognized as the leading manufacturer of fine fashion jewelry in the US.

Digitizing Trust: How Diamond Traceability Benefits Retailers

In today’s world, consumer expectations are evolving, placing more emphasis on being assured of the traceable origin of their diamonds. In this podcast, Wesley Tucker, CEO of Tracr, speaks with Josh Helmich, CEO of Helmich Luxury Group, about how Tracr is leveraging blockchain and digital innovation to bring transparency, accountability and trust to the diamond industry, and why this matters now, more than ever, for jewelry retailers. Tracr is the world’s leading digital platform to tracing natural diamonds from source to scale, bringing the ability to explore the provenance, authenticity and unique journey a diamond has taken along the value chain. 

Evaluating Current Vendors and Considering New

To stay current in today’s competitive market, a retailer must be open to new vendors. They must also be able to make critical decisions about existing vendors to ensure they are meeting customer desires and their business needs. In this podcast, Russ Whitehouse of Wilkerson makes the case for evaluating existing vendors, as well as discovering and engaging with new vendors, and how/where to find them when needed.  Wilkerson is a professional jewelry consultant firm with industry experts who help with transitions. Wilkerson Express is the jewelry division of Wilkerson, offering a delivery jewelry line of exciting designs that help retailers maximize margins.