Business Tips

Small employers that do not shy away from offering health care coverage, due to a perceived cost and administration headache, reap many benefits. Though offering health insurance, or dental and vision, is not a requirement until your company reaches 50+ full-time employees, those small employers who do offer benefits to their employees give themselves a huge advantage in the marketplace. 

Once the cold weather sets in, the likelihood of property damage increases. No matter the season, a loss from water damage is real and the cost for repair can add up quickly. Read on for four tips from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group to ensure water damage doesn’t dry up your resources.

Do you know what the weakest spot in your security is? Chances are criminals could recognize it quickly. When they do, they'll take the path of least resistance to exploit it. Even if you have strong store security, criminals get creative when committing crimes. Prevent these crimes from happening with these tips from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group.

With the availability and access to diamond detection technology growing, how do jewelers know which device is right for them to test their diamond products? Diamond Producers of America (DPA), through Project ASSURE, has launched the “ASSURE Directory,” an online listing of diamond detection devices that are tested and reviewed so jewelers can find the right detection device for their needs. Here’s a quick introduction to how and why to use the ASSURE Directory.

At the JA National Convention, July 28-29, attendees heard from experts on the jewelry industry’s latest hot topic: lab-grown diamonds. Sessions covered the challenges and opportunities with this disruptive product category. In this 2-part article, we’ll share the expert advice culled from the Convention on how jewelers can navigate this new product and some of its challenges. First, let’s talk detection.

Many retailers envision lab-grown diamonds a threat to both industry standards and their own businesses. No matter where your opinions fall on the lab-grown diamonds subject, experts at the Convention expressed that retailers need to have the discussion of how to integrate diamond detection into their business.

The session, “Solving the Challenge of Lab-Grown Diamond Detection,” featured a panel of experts from companies spearheading diamond detection innovation including AGS Laboratories, De Beers and GIA, Gemological Science International (GSI) and Project Assure. Panelists shared solutions for retailers’ primary concerns: detection, transparency and consumer confidence when it comes to the diamonds they are buying.

It’s after hours and you have armed your alarm for the evening. Later you receive a system notification from your burglar alarm company, how would you respond?

The outlook is very positive . . . let silver lead the way! The Silver Promotion Service offers nine priceless tips to make your holiday jewelry sales shine.

The National Retail Federation reports that retail sales will rise between 3.8-4.4% this year over 2017 on the back of robust consumer confidence and low unemployment. If this projection is realized, it will be better than 2017’s retail sales, which rose 3.9%, to $3.53 trillion.

Inspiro Spiral Earrings, Martha Seely Design

Silver has many qualities that appeal to various consumer segments, and you are probably not maximizing its high margins and giftable price points. At the JA New York Show in July, Gloria Maccaroni of the Silver Promotion Service spoke on how jewelers can utilize silver jewelry to engage consumer segments that may be otherwise untapped – from the self-purchase to bridal accessories.

Yes, competition is everywhere for retailers, as we highlighted last month, but jewelry is still an in-person purchase for most consumers. JCK News Director Rob Bates discussed how to optimize both your online and instore experience in "State of Retail: Growing Segments," at the JCK Las Vegas Show. Let’s look at some of the best ideas to get customers from click to “brick.”

At the JCK Show, JCK News Director Rob Bates broke out data to paint a realistic picture of the state of retail jewelry industry in "State of Retail: Growing Segments." We’re highlighting some key takeaways from his presentation -- don't worry it's not as bad as you think.