Southern Jewelry News
  • Featured
    • All
    • Featured
    • Featured Retailers
    • Retailer Roundtable
    • Sponsored Content
    • Supplier Spotlight
    Corinth Jewelers opens fabulous standalone store
    Positive Outlook for Holiday Sales
    Riding the Wave with Essential Lab Grown Diamonds in a Changing Market
    Saban Onyx helps independent retail jewelers get fancy
  • Latest News
    • All
    • COVID-19
    • Furry Friends
    • Industry Awards
    • Industry Events
    • NRF
    • On The Move
    • Other News
    • Tradeshow News
    • Video
    • What's New
    JA members push for security, credit reform in D.C.
    Columbia Gem House opens raffle to support Sea Turtle Rehabilitation
    CD Peacock partners with Foster Love to support Chicago’s foster youth
    NDC and Lorraine Schwartz announce the 2023 Class of Emerging Designers
  • Podcast
    Episode 44 -John Carter, From Small Town to Big Dreams of Jack Lewis Jewelers
    Episode 44 -John Carter, From Small Town to Big Dreams of Jack Lewis Jewelers
    Dangers of Jewelry theft and how to prevent them 350
    Episode 43 -Kenny Mullins, Dangers of Jewelry Theft and How to Prevent Them
    Inside the Generational Legacy of David Douglas Diamonds
    Episode 42 -Doug Meadows, Inside the Generational Legacy of David Douglas Diamonds
    An-Inspiring-Tale-Behind-50-Years-of-Jewelry-Design-and-More
    Episode 41 -John Atencio, An Inspiring Tale Behind 50 Years of Jewelry Design and More
    Episode 39 -Brittany Jones,95 Years of Excellence and Legacy of JF Jones Jewelers
    Episode 40 -Brittany Jones,95 Years of Excellence and Legacy of JF Jones Jewelers
    The Rise of Luxury Handbag Trend in Jewelry Stores
    Episode 39 -Frederick Mannella, The Rise of Luxury Handbag Trend in Jewelry Stores
    Episode 38 – Kevin Patton, Gem-preneur Family Legacy of Pattons Fine Jewelry
    Episode 38 – Kevin Patton, Gem-preneur Family Legacy of Pattons Fine Jewelry
    Technology Meets Our Values
    Episode 37 – Kyle Bullock, Technology Meets Our Values
    A Pandemic-Born Success of Two Jewelry Visionaries
    Episode 36 – Brooke and Chase Brinson, A Pandemic-Born Success of Two Jewelry Visionaries
  • Columnists
    The Story Behind the Stone: Just Jewels
    Safeguarding High-Value Retailers: Unveiling the cyber risks and effective countermeasures
    4Cs of Diamonds? Here are the 4Cs of Jewelry Marketing to help you sell them
    Applied Marketing 101: The Next Big Thing
    Applied Marketing 101: The Asteroid Approaches
    The Story Behind the Stone: Oops there it is!
    Image of Chuck Koehler
    Cool New Things from the Atlanta Jewelry Show
    Image of Chuck Koehler
    The Retailer’s Perspective: It’s Springtime in September
    Barbiecore Bling! Are you in?
  • Classifieds
  • Subscriptions
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Print Subscription
  • Digital Magazine
    • Southern Jewelry News
    • Mid-America Jewelry News
    • Archive
No Result
View All Result
Southern Jewelry News
  • Featured
    • All
    • Featured
    • Featured Retailers
    • Retailer Roundtable
    • Sponsored Content
    • Supplier Spotlight
    Corinth Jewelers opens fabulous standalone store
    Positive Outlook for Holiday Sales
    Riding the Wave with Essential Lab Grown Diamonds in a Changing Market
    Saban Onyx helps independent retail jewelers get fancy
  • Latest News
    • All
    • COVID-19
    • Furry Friends
    • Industry Awards
    • Industry Events
    • NRF
    • On The Move
    • Other News
    • Tradeshow News
    • Video
    • What's New
    JA members push for security, credit reform in D.C.
    Columbia Gem House opens raffle to support Sea Turtle Rehabilitation
    CD Peacock partners with Foster Love to support Chicago’s foster youth
    NDC and Lorraine Schwartz announce the 2023 Class of Emerging Designers
  • Podcast
    Episode 44 -John Carter, From Small Town to Big Dreams of Jack Lewis Jewelers
    Episode 44 -John Carter, From Small Town to Big Dreams of Jack Lewis Jewelers
    Dangers of Jewelry theft and how to prevent them 350
    Episode 43 -Kenny Mullins, Dangers of Jewelry Theft and How to Prevent Them
    Inside the Generational Legacy of David Douglas Diamonds
    Episode 42 -Doug Meadows, Inside the Generational Legacy of David Douglas Diamonds
    An-Inspiring-Tale-Behind-50-Years-of-Jewelry-Design-and-More
    Episode 41 -John Atencio, An Inspiring Tale Behind 50 Years of Jewelry Design and More
    Episode 39 -Brittany Jones,95 Years of Excellence and Legacy of JF Jones Jewelers
    Episode 40 -Brittany Jones,95 Years of Excellence and Legacy of JF Jones Jewelers
    The Rise of Luxury Handbag Trend in Jewelry Stores
    Episode 39 -Frederick Mannella, The Rise of Luxury Handbag Trend in Jewelry Stores
    Episode 38 – Kevin Patton, Gem-preneur Family Legacy of Pattons Fine Jewelry
    Episode 38 – Kevin Patton, Gem-preneur Family Legacy of Pattons Fine Jewelry
    Technology Meets Our Values
    Episode 37 – Kyle Bullock, Technology Meets Our Values
    A Pandemic-Born Success of Two Jewelry Visionaries
    Episode 36 – Brooke and Chase Brinson, A Pandemic-Born Success of Two Jewelry Visionaries
  • Columnists
    The Story Behind the Stone: Just Jewels
    Safeguarding High-Value Retailers: Unveiling the cyber risks and effective countermeasures
    4Cs of Diamonds? Here are the 4Cs of Jewelry Marketing to help you sell them
    Applied Marketing 101: The Next Big Thing
    Applied Marketing 101: The Asteroid Approaches
    The Story Behind the Stone: Oops there it is!
    Image of Chuck Koehler
    Cool New Things from the Atlanta Jewelry Show
    Image of Chuck Koehler
    The Retailer’s Perspective: It’s Springtime in September
    Barbiecore Bling! Are you in?
  • Classifieds
  • Subscriptions
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Print Subscription
  • Digital Magazine
    • Southern Jewelry News
    • Mid-America Jewelry News
    • Archive
No Result
View All Result
Southern Jewelry News
No Result
View All Result
Home Columnists

24 Karat Corner: Graduates, please apply here!

Howard Kelrick by Howard Kelrick
May 29, 2017
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Reading Time: 5 minutes

It’s June and graduates of all types are asking themselves: “What am I going to do with my life?” A wise friend of mine offered them this sage advice: “Choose a field that neither the Chinese nor the internet can put you out of business. This leaves either running a day-care center or giving hair cuts!”

But, if you are reading this, you’ve probably already cast your lot with the descendants of Charles Lewis Tiffany, Louis-Francois Cartier, Harry Winston, and all the other great retail jewelers who set the trends and standards that forged our trade. And, while these founding fathers of our industry all faced great problems of their own (their stories should be required reading for all retail jewelers), its nothing like the challenges facing retail jewelers today.

Synthetic diamonds, volatile gold prices, manufacturers selling directly on their websites or on TV, show-rooming… no wonder graduates often over-look the jewelry industry each spring when choosing a career path.

I was recently visiting one of the top retail jewelry stores in the country. A third generation store with a great reputation for service. The owner wasn’t expecting me and wasn’t in when I dropped by, so I parked myself in the show-room and watched the sales staff while I waited for him. Every one of them was knowledgeable, polished in their presentations, courteous and efficient. These were clearly professionals who knew what they were selling, how to politely and subtly over-come objections, and effortlessly close the sale.

When the owner finally showed up and we had a chance to chat, I couldn’t wait to ask him: “Where did you find such an amazing sales staff?”

“You don’t find a sales staff,” he replied. “You train one. Nobody is born a professional jewelry salesperson. We try to take people with either retail or jewelry backgrounds, and then train them to be professionals.”

“But who has the time to train when you are running a busy store?” I asked.

“You know what is interesting?” he replied. “Despite all of our years of sales data and all of our computer power, we usually seem to have the sales floor over-staffed. So, whenever we have extra hands on the floor, rather than give them busy work, we send them to the break room and tell them to hit the books for an hour. Everyone is enrolled in some sort of on-line course to upgrade their skills and certifications. And, of course, we are paying them while they are studying when we aren’t busy. Its good for them, good for the customers, and that’s good for me!”

As I drove away, I couldn’t help but think about who impressed me more, the sales people or their boss who encouraged and paid for their training.

To thrive today means facing and over-coming challenges never seen before in the retail business, and there are even more unique challenges facing the jewelry industry. To succeed means constantly up-dating your skills, expertise, and certifications.

The 24 Karat Club offers a variety of scholarships to help retail jewelers pay for training, whether on-line, on campus, or at trade events. Managers and store owners are invited to recommend suitable candidates who might benefit from a scholarship to take courses in diamonds, gemology, salesmanship, or other related fields. Please contact your favorite 24 Karat Club member for more information about the nomination process. A list of the members is available on the Club’s website, www.The24KaratClub.org.

As jewelers, we have been entrusted with a great legacy. The only way to protect this legacy for future generations is to encourage qualified people to come into our industry, to make sure they get the proper training and education necessary to succeed, and to instill upon them the richness of this heritage.

Otherwise, our beautiful creations will have no place to be offered as jewelry stores are converted to nursery schools and barber shops.

Hope to see you in Vegas!

Howard Kelrick is President of Finger Mate and a  board member of The 24 Karat Club, SEUS.  Finger Mate manufactures and installs expandable ring shanks and sells to retail jewelers throughout North America. Contact Howard at 954-458-2700 or e-mail Howard@FingerMate.com.

 

Howard Kelrick

Howard Kelrick

Howard Kelrick is President of Finger Mate and a  board member of The 24 Karat Club, SEUS.  Finger Mate manufactures and installs expandable ring shanks and sells to retail jewelers throughout North America. Contact Howard at 954-458-2700 or e-mail Howard@FingerMate.com.

Related Posts

The Story Behind the Stone: Just Jewels

October 1, 2023

Safeguarding High-Value Retailers: Unveiling the cyber risks and effective countermeasures

September 27, 2023

4Cs of Diamonds? Here are the 4Cs of Jewelry Marketing to help you sell them

September 25, 2023
Applied Marketing 101: The Next Big Thing

Applied Marketing 101: The Asteroid Approaches

September 18, 2023

Latest News

Other News

JA members push for security, credit reform in D.C.

October 2, 2023
Other News

Columbia Gem House opens raffle to support Sea Turtle Rehabilitation

October 2, 2023
On The Move

CD Peacock partners with Foster Love to support Chicago’s foster youth

October 2, 2023

Other News

NDC and Lorraine Schwartz announce the 2023 Class of Emerging Designers

Punchmark introduces new jewelry web technology features

GIA supports diamond traceability solutions

Corinth Jewelers opens fabulous standalone store

Positive Outlook for Holiday Sales

Riding the Wave with Essential Lab Grown Diamonds in a Changing Market

Southern Jewelry News

© 2023 Southern Jewelry News.

Additional Information

  • About
  • 2023 Jewelry Trade Shows & Events
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
  • Newsletter Signup

Get Social with Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured Articles
    • Featured
    • Featured Retailers
    • Retailer Roundtable
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Sponsored Content
  • Latest News
    • What’s New
    • Industry Events
    • Tradeshow News
    • On The Move
    • Other News
    • Furry Friends
  • Podcast
  • Columnists
  • Classifieds
  • Subscriptions
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Print Subscription
  • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Southern Jewelry News
    • Mid-America Jewelry News
    • Archives

© 2023 Southern Jewelry News.