The Plumb Club’s Podcast

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. 

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.

What makes a great vendor/retailer relationship? These days a great vendor must be able to offer more than just products for sale. They must support the retailer across a variety of business categories. Sushil Chocksey, Julian Purifoy and Adam Freed of IDD discuss key expectations that a retailer should have of a vendor and why it is important to move beyond just product and quality when considering a supplier. IDD is a trusted supplier to thousands of retailers nationwide for jewelry programs and best-selling bridal, as well as a curator of the industry’s best consumer finance program, all sully supported by marketing assets prepared by experts.

There are a variety of ways that a retailer can stand out from competition, grow customer loyalty and increase add-on sales. An easy and often underestimated category that can provide all three is the addition of “jewelry care”, a need that every customer has as soon as they make any jewelry purchase. Kristie Nicolosi and Pam Waclawski of The Kingswood Company discuss the consumer desire for jewelry cleaner, what customer are looking for and the many ways a retailer may not realize that the category can benefit their business, add to sales, and halo their store’s perception.

These days, customers are bombarded with numerous so called “brands” competing for their attention – and for their shopping dollars. However, although many brands will grab a customer’s attention, not all brands will deliver on their own marketing promise. Even fewer brands will be able to provide a compelling and comforting customer experience. Darrell King of Gunther Mele packaging explains how everything that a customer experiences in your store is an opportunity to tell a unique brand story that can set a store apart and instill trust in the mind of a customer who needs to know that they are making the correct purchase decision. He provides numerous insights on how to buff up a brands perception.

Color can help boost a sale! How? Color is a key element in creating emotion. This podcast by Monica McDaniel of Chatham will help inform listeners on how certain gemstones can evoke specific emotions or symbolize different aspects of life. This understanding creates opportunities and provides direction on how to guide customers to gemstone choices relevant to them. Chatham is the world leader in lab-grown gemstones set into unique jewelry designs that are always stylish. Chatham has developed programs intended to generate sales and ensure retail partner success.

What color trends will drive consumer demand for jewelry in the year ahead? To find out, Cheryl Kremkow speaks to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. In this podcast sponsored by the Samuel B. Collection, Pantone's new 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, is discussed, as well as the colorful gems consumers will be looking for in 2025 and beyond. The Samuel B. Collection blends traditional Balinese and Thai craftsmanship with contemporary style so that every jewel represents and innovation in jewelry design.

Ever since 18th century, France, vermeil has been popular for providing consumers and retailers with a variety of benefits. Of course, the high perceived value in the look of solid gold in only one of the many features, which include attainable price points, heightened durability, hypoallergenic properties and resistance to both wear and tarnish. Victor Weinman of Original Designs (ODI Jewelry) provides retailers with a complete understanding of this product category, its best manufacturing practices and low maintenance care. ODI is a member firm of the Tache Alliance, a group of leading diamonds and fine jewelry companies operating in 20 countries on five continents.

Pearls are not only on-trend, they are an excellent and saleable product category that allows retailers to reach desired price points, attract new emerging market customers and grow traditional market share with a continuous supply of bridal customers. Kathy Grenier and Lauren Basler of Imperial Pearl help listeners identify new pearl trends, new potential customers and new ways to reach out to the traditional market segment. Imperial Pearl is the pre-eminent global source, not only for the finest pearls crafted by nature’s hand, but also for the most beautiful classic and contemporary pearl jewelry crafted by the hand of man.  

Although many retailers focus on the bridal category, the year holds a variety of opportunities for jewelry gifting that can be taken advantage of grow profits and long-term clients. Amish Shah of ALTR takes the listener through the many gifting opportunities and how these interactions can improve the lifetime of a customer. He demonstrates how to create value and how to express it. Additionally, he provides insights into the importance of personalization and consumer experiences, both online and in store. ALTR is a vertically aligned company with a global presence spanning 250 retail stores across 35 countries.