Southern Jewelry News
  • Featured
    • All
    • Featured
    • Featured Retailers
    • Retailer Roundtable
    • Sponsored Content
    • Supplier Spotlight
    Les Olson Jewelers: a hands-on operation
    Les Olson Jewelers: a hands-on operation
    Merger With a Mission
    From hard knocks to soft landing in new store
    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
    Noble announces expansion of showcase and store design division
    JCK Industry Fund announces over $250,000 allocated to 2021 grant recipients
    Submission open for 2024 JCK Industry Fund grants
    ISG launches hands-on classroom learning starting in October
    New York City Jewelry & Watch Show announces list of 90+ exhibitors
  • Podcast
    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
    Jewelers Helping Jewelers
    Episode 35 – Aleah Arundale, Jewelers Helping Jewelers: Connection, Support, and Success
    Must-Know Facts About RDI’s Rare & Forever Natural Diamonds
    Episode 34 – Christy Davidson, Must-Know Facts About RDI’s Rare & Forever Natural Diamonds
  • Columnists
    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?
    Joel McFadden Fine Jewelry
    Successful Custom: The Customers View
    Holiday Sales Success: A multifaceted marketing approach
    Holiday Sales Success: A multifaceted marketing approach
    International School of Gemology’s The Sindhi and the Suitcase
  • 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
    Les Olson Jewelers: a hands-on operation
    Les Olson Jewelers: a hands-on operation
    Merger With a Mission
    From hard knocks to soft landing in new store
    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
    Noble announces expansion of showcase and store design division
    JCK Industry Fund announces over $250,000 allocated to 2021 grant recipients
    Submission open for 2024 JCK Industry Fund grants
    ISG launches hands-on classroom learning starting in October
    New York City Jewelry & Watch Show announces list of 90+ exhibitors
  • Podcast
    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
    Jewelers Helping Jewelers
    Episode 35 – Aleah Arundale, Jewelers Helping Jewelers: Connection, Support, and Success
    Must-Know Facts About RDI’s Rare & Forever Natural Diamonds
    Episode 34 – Christy Davidson, Must-Know Facts About RDI’s Rare & Forever Natural Diamonds
  • Columnists
    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?
    Joel McFadden Fine Jewelry
    Successful Custom: The Customers View
    Holiday Sales Success: A multifaceted marketing approach
    Holiday Sales Success: A multifaceted marketing approach
    International School of Gemology’s The Sindhi and the Suitcase
  • 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: News and Views from the 24 Karat Club Southeastern U.S.

Howard Kelrick by Howard Kelrick
October 2, 2012
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Reading Time: 6 minutes

Most influential people?  Really?

Time Magazine recently published their list of the world’s 100 most influential people.  They named the usual suspects: politicians, movie stars, athletes, rock stars, etc.  And, while I admire  the skills of the marathon runners from Kenya and the courage of the Chinese dissidents, with the exception of those knuckle-heads in Washington, I’m not  sure how much influence anyone on the list really has on me.  I’m not sure I even recognized half the names on the list!  Although I must admit, I do often dress like LeBron James.  No, not the fancy English Laundry  shirts he wears, just the baggy gym shorts and sweat suits.

A couple of columns ago, I wrote about my friend Scott, an outstanding retail jeweler who, whenever he sells an engagement ring, encourages his customer to come up with a special and meaningful proposal scenario, and often offers up stories and suggestions from previous customers.

A number of jewelers wrote to say what a great idea that was, and that they would try doing the same thing.  Some even forwarded e-mails with great proposal stories, with most including thanks for suggesting  the idea.  Here’s my favorite:

I tried calling you today to tell you the great news, but they said you were out until Friday.  Amanda said yes on Saturday afternoon at the Wailuaiki Falls in Maui!  Everything worked out  perfectly and she loves the ring.  She cannot stop staring at it and smiling ear to ear, exclaiming how beautiful it is! 

We had an amazing weekend and it was definitely a proposal for the books.  She has told the story at least 20 times now to her friends, family, and coworkers, and its not getting old. 

It was nerve-racking in the pool of the falls as I was fumbling with the box that I sealed in a waterproof bag and shoved in my  bathing suit pocket.  I was just hoping that the ring was still in its slot when I turned around to face her and opened it up so it wouldn’t fall  into the water and go over the next waterfall right down the stream.   Well, thank the Lord, because it was still there and she burst into tears and said, “Really? Yes!” 

We are just so incredibly happy, and I told her the whole story of how you inspired me to make the proposal special.  I also managed to take a video of the proposal with a waterproof camera that I  set up on a rock beforehand!  She is already planning the wedding for next summer, and we’ll see you when we are ready to pick out the wedding bands.  And, since you were so helpful making sure the proposal was memorable, maybe you can help us write the vows!  Thanks again so much!

So, maybe the focus shouldn’t be on who Time Magazine thinks  is influencing us, but rather on who we ourselves are influencing.  And,  the way we carry ourselves each day directly influences our co-workers,  business associates, and most importantly our customers.  Not every sale comes down to price, selection, and quality.  More and more, attributes such as expertise, creativity and even your standing in the community can have more influence than you’d ever imagine. 

For years, The 24 Karat Club has been one of the leading  positive influences in the jewelry industry.  Comprised of fifty or so of  the leading figures in the jewelry industry, the members of The 24 Karat Club give of their hearts, time and resources to fund scholarships, recognize outstanding service to the industry, and uphold the values and traditions of our trade.  If you are looking for a positive influence in the jewelry  business, you need not look any further than The 24 Karat Club.  These  are the types of people you want to surround yourself with, both personally and professionally.  Feel free to contact any of our members about any issue that concerns you.

Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people?  You can keep it, its not for me. I seem to be mostly influenced by the people around me, the “company I keep.”  On the other hand, Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the top 500 albums of all time?  That’s a list we can talk about!

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

Applied Marketing 101: The Next Big Thing

Applied Marketing 101: The Asteroid Approaches

September 18, 2023

The Story Behind the Stone: Oops there it is!

September 18, 2023
Image of Chuck Koehler

Cool New Things from the Atlanta Jewelry Show

September 18, 2023
Image of Chuck Koehler

The Retailer’s Perspective: It’s Springtime in September

September 13, 2023

Latest News

Columnists

Applied Marketing 101: The Asteroid Approaches

September 18, 2023
On The Move

Noble announces expansion of showcase and store design division

September 18, 2023
Other News

Submission open for 2024 JCK Industry Fund grants

September 18, 2023

Other News

ISG launches hands-on classroom learning starting in October

The Story Behind the Stone: Oops there it is!

Episode 42 -Doug Meadows, Inside the Generational Legacy of David Douglas Diamonds

Cool New Things from the Atlanta Jewelry Show

New York City Jewelry & Watch Show announces list of 90+ exhibitors

GCAL 8X® launches in Mexico

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.