In the Loupe August 2023 RJO Newsletter

I N T H E LOUPE

IN THE KNOW WITH RJO

Being Prepared

SEE PAGE 2

JEWELER PROFILE

Nummi Jewelers

SEE PAGE 6

20 NEW VENDORS

SEE PAGE 10

COVER STORY

AI - Artificial Intelligence and the Retail Jeweler

SEE PAGE 12

Another Record-Breaking Summer Show!

AND LUCK HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. Last month’s RJO gathering in Philly established a new Summer Show record attendance, resulting in the highest Show sales ever, topping $20 million. New milestones were not the only highlights, as the Show also featured RJO winners, recognitions, and awards.

In addition to the established educational sessions and seminars, keynotes, and roundtables, RJO members enjoyed reconnecting with colleagues, finding great food and drink at the historic Reading Terminal, and saving money by stocking up for the holiday months ahead. New this Show was MondayFunday, making sure the Show’s last day was filled with winners, from the Jeweler’s Jackpot to the new RJO Poker Run.

Registration Deadline:

September 8

RJO Next Gen Experience

October 7-9

Hyatt Lodge

Oak Brook

Chicago, IL

“We set many goals for this Show,” says RJO CEO Sarah Streb, “which resulted in a rich and varied experience for members and vendors alike. I was confident the partnerships and opportunities we created would really stand out, and they did. We’re always pushing to make each Show better, and I think we succeeded on so many levels in Philadelphia. Along with the comments I’ve heard from attendees, I’m really pleased the numbers were so strong.”

Being Prepared

THE TITLE OF THIS COLUMN, while best known as the motto for the Scouts, also applies to our best efforts here at RJO. Our Buying Shows are evergrowing in popularity and complexity, and much of that success can be credited to the preparations made years, months, and even days ahead. The payoff is great, and your RJO team works really hard to be prepared so we can best support our members. Our Next Gen Experience in October allows us to share our skills in being prepared with the next generation of jewelers. The mission of the experience helps prepare future jewelers for the years ahead, using shared wisdom, relatable experiences, and proven practices to help shape their education. The deadline for the Next Gen Experience is September 8, so be sure to register today.

As hard as we work to be prepared, sometimes all the preparation in the world is of little value, exemplified by the sudden death of Kate Peterson this past Spring. As you are very well aware, the news of Kate's passing rocked the industry. Many of you have inquired about ways to honor Kate, and I'm pleased RJO has remembered Kate in four important ways:

RJO Next Gen Experience

Kate was a one-of-a-kind educator and an integral part of the Next Gen Experience. RJO will continue to incorporate many of her lessons and overall energy into the program going forward.

RJO Board News

Upcoming Elections

RJO Foundation Board of Directors

(three seats open)

• Applications open: September 8

• Applications due: October 6

• Appointments: Week of October 16

Application

RJO Lifetime Achievement Award

The RJO Board of Directors posthumously awarded the RJO Lifetime Achievement Award to Kate Peterson in Philadelphia. Her sons, Nick and Kevin, and daughter-in-law Marylee, were in attendance to accept on her behalf.

Kate Peterson Memorial Scholarship Fund

The RJO Foundation—with permission from her family—has created the Kate Peterson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Every scholarship awards season, the top RJO applicant will receive the Kate Peterson Memorial Scholarship. A plaque will be on display at every RJO Show with the award recipients, highlighting those applicants who best represented Kate’s spirit. You may donate here, and in the Memoriam Section, please include Kate Peterson Memorial Scholarship.

Kate’s Corner

In Kate’s honor, RJO will host a Kate’s Corner at each RJO Buying Show in perpetuity. Just as when Kate was with us, a designated area on the Buying Show Floor will be available for members to find guidance, just catch up on the latest industry hot topics or share fun stories, both personal and professional.

I think Kate would be pleased,

Sarah Streb RJO CEO

(Members and Vendors are encouraged to apply for relevant positions)

Next Gen Advisory Board Committee

(three seats open)

• Applications open: September 11

• Applications due: October 13

• Appointments: November 1-3

Application

Merchandise Review Committee

The board unanimously reappointed Kendra Harris of Jayson Jewelers to retain her position on the RJO Merchandise Review Committee. There are no open seats for this committee at this time.

S E R V I C E S

Centralized Billing

Patronage Dividend

RJO Website (rjomembers.com)

Buying Shows (Summer/Winter)

In the Loupe – RJO’s newsletter

RJO Exclusive on Facebook

Educational Seminars (at the Buying Shows)

Member-to-Member Incentive Program (Recruitment Program)

Organized Buying Trips to Antwerp and IdarOberstein

RJO Directory

Travel Vouchers at Shows (offered at varying times)

Free Hotel Room Incentive (at the Buying Shows)

RJO Informational Email Blasts

Purchase Vouchers (at the Buying Shows)

RJO Membership Certificate

RJO Next Gen and RJO Succession Experiences

JewelConnect, RJOmeet.me, and RJOCustomHatch

Scholarship Opportunities (from the RJO Foundation)

From RJO’s Facebook Page

THE MEMBERS-ONLY RJO EXCLUSIVE PAGE ON FACEBOOK hosts a variety of interesting discussions every day. Here is an edited exchange from a post earlier this month.

Post: Who does everyone use for their chain for the permanent jewelry sales? Who do you use to price everything out? I see Stuller is pretty on the dot from what I’ve heard. We are awaiting our soldering machine to get started. Also, how do you do it in your store, by appointment only or do you allow walk-ins? Has anyone had a permanent jewelry party? I want to make this an easy process.

Reply One: We’ve bought chain from Stuller, Midas Chain, and Quality Gold.

Reply Two: We have appointments. We have done some walk-ins, but that depends on if the person doing our soldering is available. We have not done parties yet, as we’re worried about insurance and the need to carry everything off-site. We get sterling and gold from Quality Gold or Stuller.

Reply Three: I have been getting sterling chain from Quality Gold and connectors from Stuller. I haven’t done gold filled because I know my customers will be mad when it wears. We have been super busy with new customers. It’s been amazing this summer. I only wanted to do it to get new customers in. It works!

Reply Four: Check out the Facebook group: Original Permanent Jewelry Community.

Reply Five: Members of that group aren’t specifically jewelers; still some good info.

Reply Six: Oro International is our go-to!

Reply Seven: Royal Chain has a very large assortment of spool chains, in 100" packages.

Reply Eight: For RJO, I use Midas and Oro. I’ve bought from both in order to increase my styles. Midas has a mirror Valentino style that is worth the extra cost. Good luck! It’s a fun trend and customer experience. Ignore the negativity from retailers who don’t get it. It’s like the anti-lab diamond crowd. Some people just hate money and happy customers.

Reply Nine: We have been doing permanent services for about eight months. We were leery of it taking away from other bench work, but it’s worth it. We get from Stuller, but we just picked up some nice styles from Oro International we’re very happy with. We have done a couple of parties and found it very easy to pack up in a tote to travel. It’s also great to share on social media. Good luck!

Next Gen Experience Focus: Leadership & Ownership

RJO IS HOSTING ITS WEEKEND RETREAT, Next Gen Experience, October 7-9 at the Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook, a suburb of Chicago, IL. Next Gen Experience is designed specifically for young professionals in the jewelry industry, and it provides opportunities for learning, meeting other young professionals, and exchanging ideas with peers. This event is designed to provide attendees with unique insights, strategies, and networking opportunities that will contribute to the continued success and growth of Next Gen in our industry. RJO friend Kate Peterson, a worldrenowned jewelry educator who passed away this Spring, was an integral part of the RJO Next Gen Experience, and the program has incorporated many of her lessons, and overall energy. Filling Kate’s void was a challenging task, but RJO has been working over the past few months to put together a program honoring her Next Gen legacy, while looking at ways to move forward. We are thrilled to announce we have partnered with the Optimum Retail Solutions team to help with new programming, facilitation, and

content. Two tracks will be highlighted—Leadership and Ownership—and the topics include:

• Five Pillars of Management

• Management vs. Leadership

• Analyzing Your Business Using KPIs

• Effective 1-on-1s

• Essential Communication

Significant time also will be provided for facilitated roundtables and discussions. Next Gen continues with the generous sponsorship of our vendor partners, including Gems by Pancis, Ostbye, Quality Gold, Federated Insurance, Charles Frey & Associates, and GN Diamonds. The $250 fee covers all meal gatherings, a learning materials binder and notepad and a completion certificate. Attendees are responsible for two nights lodging at Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook. Please note: the registration fee for this event qualifies for RJO Foundation Scholarships. If you seek financial assistance for this event, please complete an RJO Foundation Scholarship Application.

RJO Fall Foundation Scholarship Applications Due September 15

RJO RETAIL OWNERS, VENDOR owners, and their employees are encouraged to fill out an RJO Foundation Scholarship

Application by September 15. This RJO Foundation program provides scholarships and grants to use for continuing education, GIA courses, RJO’s Next Gen Experience, college coursework, the New Approach School for Jewelers, industry trade programs, and online training. Through direct member donations of our generous sponsor members

and vendors, as well as group fundraising efforts, ten scholarships were awarded this past spring. To date, the RJO Foundation has awarded nearly 150 scholarships, totaling more than $102,000.

Registration deadline is September 8, and you may register for the Next Gen Experience here.

The first of this year’s RJO Rock Tour adventurers will leave on October 5, and the second group will head over on October 8. The European excursion is an annual tradition for RJO jewelers and serves as a purchasing event, allowing RJO members to become a Direct Diamond Importer in their community. It includes two packed days, filled with gem buying, exploring IdarOberstein, and learning about the world of color from RJO vendor hosts Rolf H. Muller. The trip’s hosts from last year— Nancy Marchell, of Signature Jewelers in Grand Forks, ND, and Erika Godfrey, of Hawthorne Jewelry in Kearney, NE—will once again serve as this year’s hosts.

Another Great Show for RJO and RJOmeet.Me

By Andy Boundy VRB Internet Solutions Ltd.

PHILADELPHIA HOSTED another great Show all around. An amazing city (with a certain beef sandwich to die for), good friends—as always— and lots of business. On top of this, I fielded a lot of questions about RJOmeet.Me from new and “old” members alike, so I thought I’d provide a refresher.

RJOmeet.Me is a website that allows retailers to find vendors. That’s about it really, but that’s an incredibly important part of your business, and it does it in a way to make doing all your business with RJO vendors simple, efficient, and profitable. You can find vendors by multiple search methods including name, address, keyword, category, and more. Think of this function as a very clever version of the RJO online Vendor Directory.

Okay, so you have found your vendor—or more probably— several suitable vendors for your needs. Now you can click on their profile pages to see quickly and

easily what each has to offer. You can compare-and-contrast the best provider for the products and services you need and then select the best one for you. Vendors can update their profiles at any time, so you can probably find offers and specials, as well. Some vendors offer downloads for catalogs, creatives, and more.

Once you’re past this first step and have found some vendors for your needs, you might think something like, “I am still not sure where to find this one piece I need for a customer.” Sure, you could post on Facebook, but the result will be three feet of scrolling by the time most vendors see it (or don’t). A more effective move would be to add an image and description at RJOmeet.Me, using the “Vendor Request” feature. Vendors can then reply directly to help you find what you need.

The keyword system vendors use also provides a great way to scan for helpful ideas. With thousands of keywords available for you to

peruse, it’s easy to look for products or services that might be a fit for your store. It’s a reverse search really, meaning you’re looking at keyword results, to see what works. Simply look for the keywords on the RJOmeet.Me dashboard. They’re even split into “Popular” and “Uncommon” categories, to allow you to get your ideas more readily.

RJOmeet.Me is also quite flexible. Let’s say your client is moving to a different city, and you wonder if there’s a way to refer business to an RJO store easily. Yes there is. Simply click on “Retailer Look-up,” and all the information you need is there—including a contact message option—in just a few clicks.

The system does more in terms of communication and information, but once you have the basics you’ll find an amazing tool to power your RJO business. Remember to use this valuable resource and to show your RJO vendors some love— especially the system sponsors, who help make it all happen.

REGULARLY OFFERED AT GIA CAMPUSES, RJO partnered with industry heavyweight, GIA, to offer their popular Diamond Grading Lab, exclusive to RJO member retailers, at the Jewelers Mutual Campus in Neenah, WI. Through a

unique combination of hands-on training, one-on-one coaching and multimedia, these 12 RJO members explored how to grade diamonds consistently and accurately using a modern gem microscope and a loupe.

Jeweler Profile

Nummi Jewelers: Going the Extra Mile(s) for RJO

NUMMI JEWELERS IN SUPERIOR, WI, is like many college town retailers, located a few blocks from the campus—specifically University of WisconsinSuperior. Yet this town of 26,000 also has another local distinction, as it sits on the shore of one of America’s Great Lakes—Lake Superior. That’s where the Nummi Jewelers story began.

“My father, Dale Nummi, is the current owner and a horologist,” says Katie Nummi Perrault, currently the store’s manager. “His father, Harry Nummi, started the store in 1951. The twin ports of Duluth, MN, and Superior, WI, were booming areas then, and it was saturated in jewelry stores. My grandfather couldn’t get a loan from the bank, so he opened a small store front in the back of a shoe store. He traded work repairing watches, and when he sold one watch band, he would buy two. Harry’s wife, Mable, supported him by working as a telephone operator.”

It was a 12-hour Uber ride in a stranger’s Lincoln Navigator. We stopped for gas twice and made it to the Buying Show hotel by 3 p.m. Saturday.

Nummi Jewelers is coming up on ten years as an RJO member next year, and Katie says they “love the relationships we have cultivated thru RJO.” This love has deep roots, exemplified in the store’s exceptional efforts to make it to RJO’s Summer Buying Show in Philadelphia in July.

- Katie Nummi Perrault

“For more than 72 years, we have been providing our customers with high-quality, sustainable jewelry that is stylish, yet reasonably priced,” says Katie. “We specialize in offering amazing jewelry pieces, as well as unique custom work and repairs. Our engravings are second to none, and we take great pride in delivering only the best products to our customers.”

Despite its decades in offering classic jewelry, Nummi Jewelers stays on top of current trends as well.

“Our breakout product for the year is permanent jewelry,” says Katie.

“Three employees and I were traveling to the Buying Show,” Katie says, and we had flight delays traveling from Duluth to Philadelphia by way of Chicago. We should have been to Philly by early Friday afternoon before the Show started, but our flights were delayed, first due to technical issues and then, we were hit by a huge lightning storm. Around 1 a.m. Saturday we found out we wouldn’t be getting to Philly until 5 p.m. on Sunday. We requested an Uber to take us to an airport hotel to get a room. On the way we told the very professional driver what happened, and he offered to take us to Philadelphia instead of the hotel. After we negotiated a rate, he hit the gas, and we were on our way. It was a nearly 12hour drive in a stranger’s Lincoln Navigator. We stopped for gas twice and made it to the Buying Show hotel by 3 p.m. Saturday.”

If you’ve changed your email address lately or would prefer to receive RJO communications at a different address, please let us know.

Address updates and changes can be directed to Erin Sharp in the RJO office at: erin@rjomembers.com

RJO Summer Buying Show 2023

( Click on the photos below to have larger versions pop up in a new window )

RJO Lifetime Achievement Award

MONDAY-FUNDAY WINNERS

POKER RUN

(each received a $1,000 voucher to RJO's 2024 Winter Buying Show in Palm Springs, CA)

Rauch’s Jewelry, Newton, IL

Grace Marie, Forest VA

David Mann Jewelers, Inc., Geneseo, NY

Ruby Jewelry, Endicott, NY

JEWELERS JACKPOT

$1,500: Sanders Diamond Jewelers, Pasadena, MD

$3,000: Trinkets, Cape May, NJ

$8,000: Joe Tonos Jewelers, Greenville, MS

( Click on the photos below to have larger versions pop up in a new window )

2023 RJO Vendor Award Winners

VENDORS OF THE YEAR

SALES

RISING STAR AWARDS — NEW THIS

YEAR

The Rising Star Award is meant to recognize those vendors who experienced the greatest year-over-year sales growth. We are thrilled to see this growth and excited to recognize these three emerging vendors.

NEW VENDORS

Aarush Diam

Ankit Poddar and Vasu Gupta

New York, NY

(646) 490-4940

www.aarushdiam.com

We are a manufacturer of lab-grown diamonds. We have all shapes and sizes of lab-grown diamonds (from 0.30 ct to 10 cts) and jewelry.

Alamea Hawaii

Jay Wu and Tim Knouse

Honolulu, HI (808) 922-5333

www.alameahawaii.com

Based in Honolulu, 90% of our stock is ready to ship UPS, FedEx, or USPS. We provide retailers with full marketing support, displays, elements, cases, towers, and shop-in-shop options.

Amipi

Amish Mehta and Krish Jhaveri

New York, NY (212) 354-9700

www.amipi.com

We are Basic and we are Boring, but we are no Bull! Our product line— certified diamonds and diamond basics—is not unique. You’ve seen it all before from my competition. Here’s how we are different:

• No BS grading.

• We undergrade our diamond jewelry. We sometimes seem expensive on paper, but when you compare products next to each other, we’re a much better value.

• We have some of the best values in the nation and only believe in selling a product if we can be best in class. Our product line is deep and narrow.

• On average, you will save 5-10% on every transaction you have with us.

• Much of our natural and lab-grown diamonds are sourced by us at the rough stage. We control the cutting to be assured of the best value and quality.

Breuning

Florian Hochmuth and Sharilyn Villanueva Lawrenceville, GA (678) 377-1673

www.breuning.de/en/index.html

Founded in 1927, Breuning is a thirdgeneration family-owned and operated jewelry manufacturer. Breuning is known for its high quality and awardwinning designs. Our line of jewelry is one of the most extensive in the industry and includes silver, gold and platinum designs for men, women, and children. It includes high quality pieces on every level, up to and including our Luxury Brand. Our number one focus is to maintain the high quality and integrity of our jewelry.

Diamantra

Nirav Mehta

Austin, TX (512) 535-5333

www.diamantra.com

Diamantra has a global presence while maintaining a local approach to business. For four generations, Diamantra has serviced over 10,000 local jewelers through our 11 offices worldwide. GIA (.30 - 5.0 cts) calibrated fine cut melee service, matched pairs, fancy shapes, and unique cuts.

DV Jewelry Corp

Dhairya Virani

New York, NY (929) 989-4855

www.dvjewelery.com

We grow. We are a manufacturer, and we supply our grown diamonds to the leading brands of the world. We work hard to make you proud. We offer:

• certified loose lab-grown diamonds

• noncertified loose lab-grown diamonds

• calibrated noncertified round and fancy shape lab-grown melee

• noncertified fancy shape lab-grown layouts

• lab-grown diamonds jewelrybasics/essentials

• high end lab-grown diamond jewelry

- necklaces

• custom made jewelry orders

EverSpark

Mathew Behnam (President)

Great Neck, NY (516) 455-2615

https://wholesale.eversparkbridal.com

Part of the Samuel B Family, EverSpark is devoted to bringing you the same high level of quality and service you’ve come to expect now in the Bridal Jewelry category.

Gem Ex

Justin Wagner and Randy Wagner Mequon, WI (262) 242-1111

www.gemex.com

GemEx is the creator and worldwide leader in Light Performance Measurement and Certification, diamond table engraving, and DiamondEye—a new way to protect and verify diamonds using a specialized viewer and a smart phone.

Global Jewelry Solutions

Milan Mehta

New York, NY (212) 391-8200

www.gjsusa.com

Wholesalers of fine diamond jewelry. Specializing in custom and customCAD jewelry.

Glock Watches

Jim Imhoff

Torrance, CA (310) 417-5025

www.glockwatches.com

Brandmark (dba Glock Watches) is a division of The Bering Group. Direct partnership with Glock Perfection. Made to Glock Standards. Retails between $299 - $999.

Imagine Bridal

Rodney Hakimian, Brian Hakimian, and Simon Hakimian

Great Neck, NY (516) 869-0708

www.imaginebridal.com

Imagine Bridal has the industry’s most on-trend designs, coupled with topquality workmanship, delivery, and technology. Visit our web platform (see

link above) to view our entire collection and receive instant pricing on any variation of our styles in wholesale or retail.

Ishal/Wjewel

Javid Ishal

Great Neck, NY

(646) 578 8300

www.wjewel.com

Since 1987, we have been at the forefront of providing the jewelry industry with state-of-the-art technology to manage their operations. Our POS software has been designed and continuously improved by experts within the jewelry industry.

MacTime Jewelry & Watch

Mohit Choreria

Chicago, IL

(312) 863-9000

www.mactimechicago.com

We are a family-operated jewelry wholesale company. We specialize in everything from loose melee to luxury watches. We focus on providing the best price, service, and quality possible.

Midwest Closeouts

Matt Newkirk

Sarasota, FL

(770) 675 8122

www.midwestcloseouts.com

Midwest Closeouts offers new closeout fine jewelry selling below the cost of manufacturing. We focus on current styling and are always trying to deliver the greatest value we can, to the retailers we supply. All of our SKUs are available to purchase online, and we offer the industry’s first “no questions asked” return policy for online orders, all with free return-shipping labels provided. Our offerings range from price-point sterling silver to higherend materials. Fashion, bridal, bracelets, earrings, pendants, silver, and much more.

National Rarities

Louis Clough, Dennis McCaffrey, and Justin VanMatre

Ballwin, MO (888) 787-1112

www.nationalrarities.com

Since 2009, National Rarities has been the leading nationwide estate buyer, invested in serving our partners and customers with professionalism and integrity. National Rarities partners with independent jewelers across the country for three-day buying events at no costs to the jeweler. At these events we evaluate and purchase a wide variety of items, collectibles, and rarities. Our events are fun, unique, and provide an excellent service to the customers. In addition, we are providing free advertisement for your store, driving foot traffic, paying you 10% on anything we buy, and more!

Shivani Gems

Mayur Shah and Mehul Shah

New York, NY (212) 593-2750

www.shivanigems.com

We are one of the prime manufacturers of fancy-shape diamonds catering the U.S. market since 1984. Our inventory mainly consists of fancy shapes in loose, noncertified as well as extensive GIAcertified stones in various assortments as per GIA standards, from 0.03 ct up to 2.00 ct, and qualities ranging from VVS to I2, and colors from D through K. Services includes:

• Orders fulfilled by exact calibrations

• GIA standards of various assortments and colors

• Matching pairs and layouts

• Overnight deliveries

• Jewelry repair jobs

• Diamond cutting services

• Special modified cuts

Singer Estate Collection

Ashley Herrin, Julie Heller, Tina YangRubin, and Rebecca Lantz

New York, NY (212) 599-1555

www.singercollection.com

The Singer Estate Collection consists of more than 600 pieces of fine estate jewelry, ranging in retail from $500 to $50,000. We showcase exquisite rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and brooches. With more than 40 years of experience and an annually refreshed inventory, Singer is your trusted partner to offer your valued customers true time-period and estate pieces that represent the finest historic and artistic craftsmanship.

The Standout Designs

Lynn Zeng and Jay Wang

Los Angeles, CA (213) 627-8583

www.standoutdesign.us

A dedicated company that helps covering all needs of retailers in the field of colored-stone jewelry.

Variety Gem

Efraim Bezalel, Moshe Bezalel, and Yehude Bezalel

Great Neck, NY (800) 735-4367

www.varietygem.com

We offer an extensive line of diamond and colored gemstone jewelry in all categories. Our line consists of top quality basic and up-to-date unique fashion jewelry. We have designers creating one-of-a-kind items that sets us apart from others. We offer jewelry in 10K, 14K, and 18K, as well as platinum. We provide services such as special orders, custom design one-ofa-kind, CAD design, and programs.

For terms and discounts, visit RJO’s online Vendor Directory

Artificial Intelligence and the Retail Jeweler

AI

AT THE MOST RECENT BUYING SHOW in Philadelphia, there seemed to be a new topic on the lips of jewelers: AI or artificial intelligence. It’s no surprise, really, as media has been covering the topic doggedly in the past half-year. Part of the surge in reporting has been the release of new, user-friendly AI programs. Specifically, ChatGPT, which is programmed to write on nearly any topic; and DALL-E, which creates realistic images from text prompts. Examples of each, which may have immediate possibilities for jewelers, are included in this story.

Reading List

AI Is Coming – Don’t Panic!

Instore Magazine, July 6, 2023

Why Humans Are Still Needed to Oversee AI

JCK Online, June 30, 2023

State of the Diamond Industry: AI and the Future of Diamond Grading

National Jeweler, May 26, 2023

For the average jeweler today, AI is still in its early stages. Similar to how computer use didn’t really take off until personal computers were readily available. Similarly, the internet chugged along until mobile phones made it possible to be available everywhere, all the time. So, the current buzz about AI is mostly about its unknown possibilities, rather than any significant hands-on abilities available to retailers today.

Buzz is exciting, though, so let’s take some brief looks at a few areas where AI might improve and change the world of retail jewelry.

Human Resources

The advent of online job matching services seemed leaps and bounds ahead of print ad job postings and mailed-in resumes. Yet, the efficiency of sites such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter actually created a burden of constant job posting and communication with larger numbers of respondents. AI helps in job hunting, by doing the heaving lifting, creating thorough and wellcrafted job descriptions, as well as writing empathetic and complete rejection letters.

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

— Author Arthur C. Clarke

Anish Desai, president and CEO of RJO vendor Stargems, uses ChatGPT for both.

“I would highly encourage using ChatGPT,” says Desai, “for both part-time and full-time job descriptions that will just need to be slightly tweaked before posting the ad. We use chat GPT daily for lots of uses in our office, so that is how the idea came up.”

Customer Support

A common feature on websites over the last few years has been the chat window for 24/7 customer service support. Initially, these windows were available during a business’ regular hours and “staffed” by someone typically working another job. Going from business hours to round-the-clock support has been made possible by AI. Many of the chat support services behave as if a human were on the other end, but that’s the point. For an example of such possibilities,

simply try to reset a password on one of your favorite sites. You’ll likely be offered a chat option, and that conversation often is held up on the retailer’s end by an AI service. The back-and-forth will seem human, and it’s likely the AI assistant will have an avatar photo and a pleasant name.

For retailer jewelers, the AI support may allow a customer to check on the status of a special order at any time of day. The AI “chatter” on the other end will be able to find the order, interpret its status, provide detailed shipping and arrival information, and even make remarks about how beautiful the piece will be or how lucky the recipient is.

Store Location and Layout

The next time you review your store’s layout, there will likely be an AI service that will help arrange your store to account for the optimal experience for the customer and the greatest sales advantage for you.

AI Helps an RJO Vendor Fill a Job Opening

Anish Desai, president and CEO of Stargems, used ChatGPT for writing a job opening for an Order Processing Specialist in his company. He uploaded a description he had written, and the AI writing resulted in “over 200+ resumes, out of which 15 were good. We set up interviews for 3, from which we selected one

candidate for the position. The ad for the job description I wrote did not generate the response needed in finding the candidate.” Desai’s ChatGPT job description was too lengthy to reproduce here, but Desai also used ChatGPT to write a rejection letter for the 100s who were not selected. He was impressed, and it is reprinted below

I hope this letter finds you well. We appreciate your interest in my company and the time you invested in the application process for the position of Support Specialist. We carefully considered your qualifications and experience, but unfortunately, we regret to inform you that we have chosen to move forward with another candidate who closely aligns with our current needs. Please understand that this decision was not a reflection of your skills, qualifications, or potential. We received a significant number of highly qualified candidates, and the selection process was highly competitive. Ultimately, we had to make a difficult decision, and it is with sincere regret that we are unable to offer you this position. We understand that hearing this may be disappointing, and we genuinely appreciate the effort and enthusiasm you demonstrated throughout the recruitment process. Your application and interview stood out, and we encourage you to continue pursuing opportunities that align with your qualifications and goals.

Although we are unable to offer you a position within our team at this time, we will retain your application for future reference. We periodically review our applicant database for new opportunities that may arise, and we will certainly consider your application if any suitable positions become available.

If you have any questions or would like further feedback on your application or interview, please don't hesitate to reach out. We value your interest in our company and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Once again, we appreciate your interest in joining my company. We thank you for your time and efforts throughout the application process. We will keep your information on file and consider you for future opportunities.

Thank you for considering my company as a potential employer.

Sincerely,

Anish

Rather than planning your store around your own personal preferences, AI will use its ability to parse large amounts of foot traffic data to propose best layout designs and display presentation. An AI tool called Placer.ai (www.placer.ai) is currently available, and its offerings include foot traffic analysis, as well as predictive analytics that can guide a retailer’s layout. It can even help with pinpointing upselling opportunities.

Advertising and Marketing

Look at the two examples provided in the sidebars in this article. In one, a current AI service is able to create copyright-free “photos” that could be used to enhance a marketing campaign. In this instance, the query was in service to a hypothetical end-of-the-year “Free if it snows an inch on New Year’s Day” promotion. Also, the results were unedited. Editing in this case wouldn’t be done by software, such as Photoshop, but rather in a refining of the AI text request. You could ask to make the diamond larger. Or make the snow deeper. Or change the format from a photo to a drawing, or to a watercolor, or to a cartoon. Want the snow to be on farmland? Just ask. This technology will only improve in quality as the AI platform learns more about the world, but for now, AI can certainly provide visual customization to marketing and advertising efforts, in a way previously not possible.

The second example is of a potential educational piece for a customer. In this case, it’s a simple explanation of the difference in diamonds for a consumer’s perspective. Having a competent writer a click away can be a real time-saver for retail jewelers. AI can write social media posts, congratulatory messages and sympathy notes to customers, product descriptions, employee newsletter content, and more. As noted by Anish Desai, some editing is almost always required, but it sure is a great cure to writer’s block. It should be noted many of the small business e-commerce platforms, such as Wix, Shopify, and Squarespace currently include AI integration, allowing for AI-generated content, product descriptions, website design.

Customer Virtual Try-ons

The ability for a customer to try on a piece of jewelry virtually has been around for a while. Much of the augmented reality platforms effectively show an item on the actual customer’s hand, with advances made in competently providing a try-on in a 360-degree, three-dimensional environment. The visual accuracy keeps improving, but with the addition of AI, the ability to customize the experience for both the customer and the seller increases dramatically. The customer’s try-on is enhanced with complementary jewelry recommendations, virtual instructions for caring for the piece, and the ability to share their try-

AI Creates Artwork for a Sales Promotion

AI is growing from writing into image generation, which might allow for customized creations of artwork. Below are four unedited images created by DALL-E 2, an

The URL: https://openai.com/dall-e-2

image generation AI technology that creates original graphic images with text prompts. DALL-E 2 requires credits to be purchased to create copyright-free images.

The Request: “A large, beautiful diamond set in about one inch of snow”

The Result: Four “photographs” below. These were generated by AI; no camera was involved.

on with distant friends and family. The seller gets information about the customer’s behavior and can predict future sales efforts based on them.

Human Resources. Customer Support. Store Location and Layout. Advertising and Marketing. Customer Virtual Try-ons. Reviewing these five areas may seem like AI may be the Big Thing for jewelers today. But a better perspective might be its offerings today are simply the first steps in the Next Big Thing.

RJO vendor Andy Boundy, provides his perspective on what AI might mean today for RJO jewelers.

“Short term,” he says, “retailers will use AI to help with things like stories and blogs, social postings, and ad-creatives. In actual fact, they will hire people that will use this tech, because jewelers are too busy to mess with this stuff—but you get my meaning. It’s great, but it’s not always right and makes mistakes, so it needs human intervention. I use it, but it’s always revised. AI can do good jobs at mundane creativity.”

“Medium term,” he continues, “AI will auto-power a lot of marketing on cruise control. Later on, it will be able to create custom designs and renders to basic textual input (like a human does now but taking lots of training and time). It will link to CAD/CAMs that can 3D-print anything (in wax or, later in finished metal to fine resolution), right from the AI instructions. You’ll likely be able to say, ‘I want a dolphin ring with cherries and a banana in gold and platinum, size 7, using 1 diamond and 3 rubies,’ and AI will design six versions and 3D print it in about ten minutes, ready for setting.”

“Long term,” Boundy conclude, “we don’t need to worry. Everything will be very different and it’s not worth getting into what might be, because the basics of business will change so much that the things like this will be out of our imagination now—think self-driving cars in the 1990s. We said, ‘no freaking way.’ Yet here we are.”

AI Writes an Educational Piece for Customers

Below is an unedited column written by ChatGPT, a browser-based state-of-the-art AI service trained to generate human-like text. ChatGPT is currently free to use.

The URL: https://chat.openai.com

The Request: “Write 250 words about: What should customers know about the difference between natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds.”

The Result:

Customers should be aware of the significant differences between natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds before making a purchase decision. Firstly, the origin of these diamonds varies greatly. Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth's mantle over millions of years under immense pressure and heat. On the other hand, lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments using advanced technological processes that replicate the natural diamond-growing conditions.

Secondly, the environmental and ethical considerations differ between the two types. Natural diamond mining can have a significant ecological impact, involving land disruption, water usage, and energy consumption. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds are generally considered more environmentally friendly, consuming less energy and water and causing minimal land disturbance.

Price is another crucial distinction. Natural diamonds are usually more expensive due to their rarity and the costs associated with mining and distribution. Lab-grown diamonds, however, tend to be more affordable as they bypass the mining process. This cost difference could allow consumers to purchase larger or higherquality lab-grown stones within the same budget.

Furthermore, both types undergo rigorous grading by gemological institutes, and the distinction between natural and lab-grown is sometimes challenging even for experts. However, most lab-grown diamonds can be identified through specific features caused by their growth process, such as distinct inclusions or growth patterns.

Ultimately, the choice between natural and lab-grown diamonds depends on personal preferences and values. Some customers may prioritize the uniqueness and tradition of natural diamonds, while others might lean towards the sustainable and affordable options offered by lab-grown diamonds. Understanding these differences empowers customers to make informed choices aligned with their preferences and values.

Editor's Note: The original ChatGPT request did not include the limit of 250 words, and the result was about 500 words. The result may be viewed here.

CALENDAR

September 2023

4 Labor Day - RJO Office is closed

8 Last day to register for RJO Next Gen Experience

10 Grandparent's Day

11 All payments must be received in RJO office

15 — RJO Foundation Scholarship applications due — Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown

22 All invoices must be received in the RJO office

23 First day of Fall

24 Yom Kippur begins at sunset

NEW MEMBERS

Allison’s Fine Jewelry

Allison Westphal

Morgantown, WV

Referred by Barry Ouellette, Gems One, New York, NY and SDC Creations, Long Island City, NY

Barnett Jewelers

Oscar and Anna Barnett

Jacksonville, FL

Referred by Lenny Prion, EDGE by Abbott Jewelry Systems, Shelton, CT

Genesis Jewelers of Palisades (second location)

Steve and Lara Galper West Nyack, NY

F October 2023

6 RJO Foundation Board of Directors applications due

5-18 RJO European Rock Tour trips

7-9 RJO Next Gen Experience held in Oak Brook, IL

10 All payments must be received in RJO office

13 RJO Next Gen Advisory Board Committee applications due

18 Winter Buying Show Vendor Registration opens

23 All invoices must be received in the RJO office

31 Halloween

J.F. Kruse Jewelers

Melissa Kelley Saint Cloud, MN

Jewelry Design Center (second location)

Brian Toone Missoula, MT

Main Line Jewelers Peter J. Kavee Philadelphia, PA

Palmer’s Jewelry Michael Freed Kokomo, IN

Referred by Duke Thames, Merit Diamonds, Hollywood, FL

Pierce Jewelers

Charles Scanlan and John Kanable Carmel, IN

Sanders Diamond Jewelers

Larry Sanders

Pasadena, MD

Referred by Sam Indelicato, RDI Diamonds, Rochester, NY

Thank you to the jewelers referring new members to our group. These jewelers will receive a $1,000

finder’s fee for their referral, payable after a new member has been in good standing for at least six months.