In the Loupe February 2024 Edition

IN THE LOUPE

Record Breaking

I CAN GO MONTHS WITHOUT really encountering a record-breaking moment that has a substantial impact in my life. I’ll bet this is the same with most of you as well. This past month, though, had several events that made an impression and made me think a bit about record breaking and what it involves.

Locally, a women’s college basketball player has been in the national news (a lot) lately. Caitlin Clark attends the University of Iowa—which is the area I live in—and she has electrified her sport this past year. Her basketball skills are exceptional, and she’s become nationally popular because of her ability to take and make three-point shots from a remarkable distance. The excitement she creates has translated into sell-out crowds whenever she plays, and she serves as an excellent inspiration for young athletes.

Nationally, RJO just wrapped up a record-breaking Buying Show in Palm Springs, CA. Two records were broken, and one was tied, including Winter Show sales, the number of retail stores attending and the number of participating vendors. RJO topped $16 million in Show sales, beating the previous Winter Show record of $15.7 million set in San Antonio; 407 retail stores were onsite in Palm Springs, RJO’s previous record was set in Nashville in 2019 with 396 stores attending. 207 vendor booths were active in Palm Springs, tying the previous record of 207 in Philadelphia last summer.

Why is any of this important? Well, I think RJO’s record-breaking is further confirmation our efforts are effective, valuable, and worthwhile. Becoming great in any endeavor—like Caitlin Clark—demands

RJO Board News

dedication, resilience, and passion—qualities I see in our members and vendors alike.

Member dedication is the result of education, trying new things, continually and looking for new ways to move forward, and it fosters an unyielding commitment to customers, staff, and family. Resilience allows members to survive market instability, generational changes, and the sometimes uncertainty of hot trends. Passion is the fire that fuels the first two qualities, and for many it satisfies creative needs.

RJO works to help members in each of these areas, by fostering collaboration and networking between jewelers and vendors. Engaging with others opens us up to diverse perspectives, innovative ideas, and broader horizons.

I’m comfortable proposing that greatness is often achieved more easily through collective effort rather than solitary pursuit, and I think our recordbreaking numbers for our Winter Buying Show reflect that. It reinforces our continuing focus on unleashing your dedication, resilience, and passion.

I hope you are breaking records wherever you are,

Sarah Streb RJO CEO

P.S. A shout-out to Luisa Smith of Cornerstone Jewelry in Springfield, MO, for her beautiful photo used on the cover of this issue.

Kymberlee Setterberg, of Setterberg Jewelers in Sun City, AZ, was appointed as the RJO Foundation President, and Amy Mefford, of Cahill-Pribyl Jewelers in Keokuk, IA, and daughter of the late Mike Pribyl, former RJO Foundation President, was unanimously appointed RJO Foundation Vice-President. Additionally, Mark Loren, of Mark Loren Designs in Fort Myers, FL, has been appointed to the Foundation Board by the RJO Foundation Board of Directors.

The next RJO Board meeting is scheduled for April 23–24, where the Board of Directors and Merchandise Review Committee will come together for their Joint Leadership Meetings. Members with any topics you would like leadership to discuss can email RJO CEO Sarah Streb.

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 MEMBER-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: How did everyone’s sales for Valentine’s Day go this year?

Reply One: We had a good sales day; best one so far to date!

Reply Two: It was awesome. We kicked off the Friday before and ended the Friday after. We had record sales this year, and I was surprised. Of course, we pushed social media and advertised like crazy. We gave away a smart watch (or a gift card to one of our local restaurants) with a $599 purchase. We just pushed Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. We also sent out post cards, sent out emails and texts for reminders. Last year was awful, but we did big sales this season.

Reply Three: Close to the huge one last year ... but just close. I’m still happy!

Reply Four: Our sales were decent, not huge.

Reply Five: We did awesome. We also had our 30th anniversary sale—our single biggest day ever—and it’s already our best February ever.

Reply Six: Pretty much right in line with expectations.

Reply Seven: We had an awesome Valentine’s Day this year.

Reply Eight: Not that great. I have been out with Covid for a week. My sales and I were missed! I’m now closing the store for two days because unfortunately I gave it to three employees before I realized what I had. Not a fun week!

Reply Nine: This was the best Valentine’s Day I can remember.

Reply Ten: Quiet, but still made our goal.

Reply Eleven: We had an amazing Valentine’s Day, topped off better than last year. People were in the jewelrybuying mood this year. I also ran some promos and really advertised

This was our best Valentine’s Day in years.

Mike Pribyl, 1960-2024

This year marks the 30th anniversary for Cahill-Pribyl Jewelers in Keokuk, IA. The store's founder, Mike, was a passionate advocate for the Foundation, establishing the RJO Foundation 100+ Club and was a founding member of the RJO Legacy Society, in which he recognized the RJO Foundation in his estate planning. Mike also served on the Foundation Scholarship Committee, taking great pride in awarding Foundation dollars to deserving candidates.

Mike's passion, leadership, generosity, and kindness will be greatly missed. Our thoughts, prayers, and sincere condolences go out to the Pribyl family.

RJO Foundation Loses a Leader: Mike Prybil

THE RJO FOUNDATION lost a true leader on Friday, January 19, 2024, when Mike Pribyl of Cahill-Pribyl Jewelers in Keokuk, IA, passed away. Mike was elected to the inaugural RJO Foundation Board of Directors in April of 2015 and elected President of the Foundation in 2018. Mike was serving as Foundation President at the time of his passing.

Mike pledged $1,000 of his estate to establish the Scholarship Endowment Fund, as part of the RJO Foundation’s Shine Bright Legacy Society. The Foundation has received that inaugural donation, and to date, $12,700 has been raised for the newly named Mike Pribyl Scholarship Fund via raffles and donations given during the RJO Buying Shows. We would also like to share the following:

•Mike Doland has agreed to donate more artwork for a 2024 art auction. The online art auction will be held September 23–27, 2024, with a one-of-a-kind piece being raffled at the St. Louis Summer

Show. Raffle tickets will support the RJO Foundation. Mike is a former RJO Foundation Board of Directors president and retired owner of Doland Jewelers in Dubuque and Davenport. He has created popular art pieces in the past, and the auctions of his work always provide significant funds for the Foundation. An example of his work is shown here.

•The timeline for the RJO Foundation Spring 2024 Scholarship was released. RJO will begin requesting applications starting March 25, with a submission deadline of April 26. The RJO Foundation Scholarship Committee will review applications and award the scholarships the week of May 6. Recent donations and fundraising efforts have resulted in $6,000 toward the Foundation's Scholarship program.

GIA Seminars at RJO’s Sumer Buying Show

RJO IS PLEASED TO partner with GIA Alumni Collective™ to present two continuing education seminars led by industry experts and a leader in education, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Seminars will be held on-site in St. Louis at the RJO Summer Buying Show. Space is limited to 24 participants, and attendees must be pre-registered to attend. There is a $250 fee per attendee for each seminar, and the fee includes all course materials and supplies, including a Letter of Attendance. More information may be found here.

laboratory-grown diamonds that will give gem and jewelry professionals the confidence to have responsible discussions with their customers.

Key topics include: the main production methods (HPHT and CVD), a review of important U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations, and the services, methods and instruments that can help to distinguish laboratory-grown and natural diamonds, including GIA Laboratory Reports and the GIA iD100™ gem-testing device.

The first course is “Introduction to Colored Stones.” It will introduce the core concepts buyers and sellers of colored stones should know to have informed discussions with their customers, including how to identify and explain key attributes that determine a gem’s value, common treatments applied to gems, and how to translate characteristics into compelling features and benefits.

The second course is “Overview of Laboratory-Grown Diamonds.” It will provide essential knowledge about

Participants are encouraged to ask questions as they are guided by a GIA instructor, who will share their expertise through illustrations, images, and lecture. These courses are ideal for sales associates, colored gemstone investors, and enthusiasts.

RJO will again be hosting this weeklong Lab from Monday, September 30, 2024, through Friday, October 4, 2024. Through a

unique combination of hands-on training, one-on-one coaching, and multimedia, the Diamond Grading Lab explores how to grade diamonds consistently and accurately using a modern gem microscope and a loupe. This class is limited to the first 15 registered students and costs $2,800 per student. Each student is responsible for securing their own hotel accommodations. Each student also is required to provide GIA with both a copy of a government-issued photo ID (example driver’s license or passport) AND proof of high school diploma, GED, or equivalent (transcripts are accepted).

RJO is excited to partner with GIA and the Jewelers Mutual Group to bring the GIA Diamond Grading Lab to the Midwest. This opportunity— exclusive to RJO retailers—offers a central location to host this popular class. RJO vendor Jewelers Mutual has graciously offered to host the class in their facility, located in Neenah, WI. This inaugural Diamond Grading Lab will be facilitated by a GIA Instructor. More information about the Lab may be found here.

RJO Rock Tour ’24: Itinerary & a Contest!

RJO'S HOSTED GEMSTONE buying tour to IdarOberstein is ready to “rock,” announcing the 2024 itinerary and holding a design contest. The tour begins on October 2, 2024, for those starting early with a visit to Frankfurt, Germany. These travelers will spend three days before they join with another group, who arrive direct from the U.S. to Antwerp. After five days in Antwerp (including a day trip to Lille, France) travelers return home, unless they've selected an optional twoday side trip to London. The full itinerary, contacts and registration deadlines may be found here.

The RJO Rock Tour is also holding the Idar-Oberstein Design Contest, featuring dazzling pieces crafted by

RJO retailers from stones handpicked during last year’s Tour. Click this link to learn more and cast your vote for the most captivating piece of jewelry. The winning designer will receive a $500 credit toward their color stone purchases during the 2024 Rock Tour. Voting ends on March 8.

RJO Has Your Answer to: ‘Does Anybody Have This?’

By Andy Boundy VRB Internet Solutions Ltd.

FACEBOOK—AND particularly the RJO Facebook group—is a great way to stay in touch with your RJO family, or for asking questions of fellow RJO members and vendors, and for offering opinions or getting advice from your peers. It is certainly a valuable tool and is used often to great effect. However, did you know there’s a better RJO option if you’re simply looking for a particular item, service, or line from RJO vendors?

When you are in search of a particular something from the RJO community, let’s say a recommendation, some advice, or a stocked product, RJO’s own system— RJOmeet.Me

offers much more than Facebook. RJOmeet.Me can directly email most RJO vendors with your request for an item, service, or need. There are more than 200 vendors at RJO, but not all of them are active on Facebook. So, if you are looking for vendor input, the RJOmeet.Me system, in many instances, can connect you often better and faster than Facebook

We know how busy RJO jewelers are, so when we built RJOmeet.Me, we included the ability for retailers to stay anonymous. We did this because we know vendors want your business, and one request could generate a number of follow-up

calls and emails. The RJOmeet.Me system allows you to collate all replies into one place, and then follow up on the one(s) that make(s) the most sense for you. No calls, no emails, just results.

You can use RJOmeet.Me to find RJO vendors by product or service search, in the same way you might use Google. You can post your requests in the same way you might on Facebook. You can message vendors in the same way you would using WhatsApp or iMessage, and you can see articles on topics of interest, just like Wikipedia. It’s pretty much an all-in-one solution for RJO jewelers with respect to the sourcing of one’s vendor needs.

RJOmeet.Me was designed to be similar to a virtual Buying Show, available 24/7. You can browse the vendors, find what you need, and then connect with the right supplier. There are even keyword tools to add precision to your searches and to help you get ideas on things your store might be missing out on. So, when you need something from an RJO vendor, avoid the temptation to post “Anybody got this?” on Facebook and instead, try RJOmeet.Me first. You’ll be amazed at how fast you get replies, as well as the variation and quality of that information, all from your respected RJO vendors.

Vendor Profile

Frederic Duclos: 40 Years of Award-Winning Sterling Silver Jewelry

JUST LIKE THE ODOMETER on a classic car, the marketing materials for vendor Frederic Duclos is rolling over all instances of "thirty years" into "forty years." This family-owned design studio in Huntington Beach, CA, was created under the guidance of Karen and Frederic Duclos in 1984 and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Frederic Duclos is an awardwinning French designer of contemporary sterling silver jewelry.

Like many family-owned businesses, Frederic Duclos (the studio) has a past of several evolutions. In 1992, Frederic Duclos became a brand of AG Artwear, Inc., “a corporation owned by both Frederic and me,” says Karen. “AG Artwear specialized in sterling silver electroform jewelry and gift items, manufactured under its own roof in Westminster, CA.”

After running their own domestic production for more than 10 years, they decided to diversify and move some of their production to Europe, to allow Frederic access to a broader range of manufacturing methods. By working exclusively with small-scale, family-owned studios throughout Europe, “Frederic is able to maintain his quality and design integrity.”

In the mid-1990s, Frederic found a comfortable niche in independent fine jewelry stores, and these have been his primary retail partners for over two decades. The numerous awards he has received throughout the years always encourage him to create fresh, new concepts, as do the letters and emails from clients who express their appreciation of Frederic’s talents and how they have impacted their stores.

"Frederic and I are hands-on at the firm," says Karen, "and with the support of our office staff and awesome road warriors, we are able to present our award winning-collection nationally."

"Frederic is actively designing all of the time," says Karen, "and he is able to introduce over 100 new and fresh styles twice a year. Also, our quality is pretty amazing for sterling silver. We love the fact

our jewelry is reasonably priced, so many people can afford our little luxuries!"

Karen continues, "The studio provides RJO clients with innovative designs, in-store displays and complementary boxes, unbeatable customer service, and attractive discounts." Soon, pearls will be added to the Frederic Duclos line.

"We are currently getting ready to introduce a new pearl and sterling collection," says Karen. "We haven’t used freshwater pearls in about a decade, so it’s time to bring back the beautiful luster of these gems."

The company has won a variety of design awards, including numerous JCK Jewelers Choice Awards. Yet, Frederic has written about what he finds most rewarding: “As I design a piece of jewelry, I envision a woman wearing it. Her face, silhouette, and personality reflect the statement I am trying to achieve. My goal is to capture the fundamental qualities of a woman’s features, and complement them with refined embellishments. The best tribute I receive is when I meet a woman who is wearing one of my creations.”

Frederic Duclos is located in Huntington Beach, CA.

Phone: 714-898-3636.

Website: www.fredericduclos.com

NEW VENDORS

A&P Afarin Co, Inc.

Great Neck, NY

Michael Mayer & Jason Hakimi (212) 944-0188

www.afarinjewelry.com

Afarin manufactures a fine line of exquisite 18K fashion jewelry in rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets, bangles, and necklaces, all of which are incredibly unique.

Affordable Gems

Fort Lee, NJ

Vishnu Batwara (212) 575-2635

www.affordablegemsny.com

More than 30,000 gemstones in stock, such as sapphires, rubies, emeralds, alexandrites, tanzanites, and others, including more than 10,000 GIA-certified gemstones. Call today to create an online account.

Anaya Jewelry

New York, NY

Vinit & Aakash Jobanputra (914) 498-8331

www.sanghavisolitaire.com

Anaya is a natural diamond jewelry wholesaler.

Arya Collection

New York, NY

Sailesh, Akshaye, & Arya Sanghavi (646) 366-0155

www.aryascollection.com

High-end jewelry manufacturer based in the heart of NYC. Arya is among the largest diamond producers in the world and manufactures diamond essentials with a fresh twist.

Essential Lab Grown

New York, NY

Vinit & Aakash Jobanputra (914) 498-8331

www.sanghavisolitaire.com

Essential Lab Grown is a labgrown certified loose and jewelry wholesaler.

Horizon Diamonds

Los Angeles, CA

Tej Shah (213) 623-2303

www.horizondiamonds.com

Horizon Diamonds is an infinite line bridging beautifully crafted natural diamonds of sheer brilliance with the demands of our worldwide clientiele, bringing an eternal smile.

Jewelry Sales Academy

Little Rock, AR

William & Wyatt Jones, Joe Cook (501) 506-3212

www.jewelrysalesacademy.com

Jewelry Sales Academy offers the industry-leading solutions in sales floor management for independent retailers.

Kin & Pebble

Gig Harbor, WA

Michelle Bailey (253) 649-2567

www.baileyandbailey.com

Kin & Pebble is a world-leading supplier of personalized and memorial jewelry. Our personalized jewelry features custom-engraved fingerprint, photos, handwriting, baby feet, baby hands, pet prints, and more. Kin & Pebble is the world’s leading supplier of cremation jewelry (ashholding jewelry) with more than 250 styles to choose from.

Niru NY

New York, NY

Raskesh Barmecha, Vineet Bokaria, & Malvi Bhatia

(212) 972-3007

www.nirugroup.com

Niru is a DeBeers Sightholder, servicing retailers with high-end fancy-cut eternity bands through a platinum-set eternity memo program.

Octillion Media

Boynton Beach, FL

Gabe Greenberg

(732) 742-5616

www.octillion.tech

Octillion is the only certified transparent platform for localand mid-market brands that does not add any mark-ups to media costs, data costs, or other service fees. Award winning in the local space as a result for delivering record return on ad spends in CTV/OTT streaming audio/radio, and retargeting.

Sanghavi Diamonds

New York, NY

Vinit & Aakash Jobanputra

(914) 498-8331

www.sanghavisolitaire.com

Sanghavi Diamonds is a labgrown certified loose and jewelry wholesaler.

Winter Buying Show 2024

Photos from the Show

RJO’s inaugural Kate Peterson Memorial Scholarship was presented to Brittany Jones-Lonthair, owner of J.F. Jones Jewelers in Rochester, NY. “Receiving this scholarship in Kate’s memory is especially meaningful to me,” says Jones-Lonthair, “as I have always viewed her as a role model, admiring her brilliance, wit, and fearlessness—qualities I strive to possess.” She is applying her scholarship toward a National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) Appraisal Studies Course and is near the end of her first course in her journey to become a Certified Master Appraiser.

During the Show’s kick-off reception, RJO members enjoyed food, beverages, and musical entertainment. One of the reception's sponsors, Berco Jewelry of Chicago, IL, provided this showcase tower to give a sneak peek of some of their new products.

During the Show’s General Membership Meeting & Keynote Luncheon, RJO President Terry Dickens (right) spoke to members. Later, RJO CEO Sarah Streb, showed a number of slides highlighting RJO’s history and growth. Below is a slide about RJO membership for 2023. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Gem Gallery: Bozeman’s Most Comfortable Jewelry Store

WHEN YOU WALK INTO GEM GALLERY in downtown Bozeman, MT, you may do a double-take to make sure you’re not actually in a cozy mountain lodge. With the wooden plank floors, exposed hewn-cut beams, and floor-to-ceiling roundstone fireplace, Gem Gallery is as inviting as it is beautiful. It’s no wonder it was highlighted as one of Instore Magazine’s “Americas Coolest Jewelry Stores.”

“While we have been in the same building for over 30 years,” says Gem Gallery’s owner Jason Baide, “we took over the corner spot and increased our space to become ‘the most comfortable’ jewelry store in Bozeman. We are often told it feels like a Montana living room with beautiful jewelry to look at!”

Gem Gallery was founded in 1994 by Jason’s father, Don Baide, centered around his passion for creative custom jewelry and love of minerals. Over the past thirty years, the store has grown to a team of thirteen, which includes three-full time goldsmiths. Jason bought out Don in 2020.

“People are often surprised by my age,” says Baide. “I’m 28 now and took over ownership in a clean buyout when I was 25. I had a head start though; I fell in love with metalsmithing at a young age. I started clocking in regularly at the store in seventh grade, won international jewelry design competitions in high school and college, and took over managing operations part way through college. So, the timing made a lot of sense.”

“The Gem Gallery concept expands far beyond our decor,” says Baide. “We aim to treat clients like they are walking into our living room when they enter the store. We’re polite and courteous, but not overly formal. We focus a lot on Montana gemstones paired with jewelry designs that are meant to live well within a Montana lifestyle, visually and structurally. Montana really is central to who we are.”

While he highlights the Montana influence, Baide says he doesn’t pay much attention to the jewelers around him.

“I worry less about what competitors are doing,” he says, “and focus on ourselves. We’ve developed several lines of signature designs made fully in-store, featuring Montana Yogos and fancy sapphires. It was a bit of a risk at first, but they are now our biggest selling collections in the store.”

Baide was recently elected as Chairman of RJO’s Next Gen Advisory Board, in large part because of his personal experience with the Board.

“I’ve loved being on the Next Gen Board for the last three years,” says Baide. “It’s a great group of people that have become an incredible support network. Our unique industry, and the special dynamics of working with family, can be a fairly isolating experience, and the Next Gen group acts as a peer support group, an incredible resource for the store. It’s provided a good bit of therapy, all while being such a fun group of people to hang out with. It’s been so rewarding watching the group grow.”

“The people of Next Gen and the Next Gen events really are my favorite part of RJO,” he continues. “The group really has shaped and changed the way I do business. I always look forward to learning something new from the group, and meeting new individuals who are diving into or growing within our industry.”

Gem Gallery is located at 402 E Main St. in Bozeman, MT. (406)587-9339

Website: www.gemgallery.com

A fidget spinner created by Jason Baide, owner of Gem Gallery in Bozeman, MT. It won a first-place Saul Bell Design Award in the Art Object category.

First-Timers

An RJO Buying Show Through New Eyes

Not everyone who helped break attendance records at RJO’s Winter Buying Show in Palm Springs had attended a Buying Show before.

Following are some thoughts from three RJO jewelers and one vendor, all of whom experienced the Buying Show for the first time.

Newt Mitchell

Mitchell’s Jewelry • Norman, OK

How many people from your store attended the Show?

It was just me for this one. My wife was supposed to attend, but she got the flu a few days before. My flight was four hours from Oklahoma City to get to Palm Springs. I got bumped from my flight and had to fly to Atlanta and then to Oklahoma City on my flight back.

What were your first impressions of Palm Springs?

Palm Springs was a very nice place! Great weather. It was relaxing sitting by the fire pit outside with other jewelers in the evenings. It was my second time to visit Palm Springs.

Tell me about your time spent on the Buying Show Floor

The layout for the Show was great, and the venue was beautiful. You didn’t have to leave the property. Having the convention center connected to the hotel was very convenient. I met several new vendors for the first time, as well as visited with some we currently do business with. The Show had a nice laid-back vibe. It was a great reset after the busy holiday season. I was able to pick up a couple of new vendors, as

well and set up a visit to Stuller in March. The vendors were Glock—a watch line—and Earstuds USA. I was happy with both, as well as Lau international.

Tell me about your favorites from the Show weekend

I enjoyed meeting new store owners and visiting with them. Each person I met with served as an opportunity to learn something new, and I feel like I really did. My favorite event was the RJO Rock Tour 2024 Cocktail Hour. It was great to learn about the trip and success stories other stores have had. The breakout sessions were valuable.

The RJO staff were awesome. Erin answered every question during the Show and was a big help for me with it being my first RJO Show. I also would like to give a shout-out to Sarah Stegeman from the RJO Board of Directors for answering even more questions I had. I'm looking forward to the next Show!

Was attending the Show a worthwhile investment, and would you recommend it to other RJO jewelers?

Going to the Show was a great opportunity to learn more and to meet vendors that can help the success of our store.

Jamie Kresl

Jewelry Artisans • Atlanta, GA

How many people from your store attended the Show? It was just me.

What were your first impressions of Palm Springs?

This was the first time I have visited Palm Springs, and it was beautiful. When I left Atlanta, it was cold and rainy. When I arrived in Palm Springs, it was sunny, with clear blue skies and 68 degrees. The city was very quaint, and the scenery was awesome.

Tell me a little bit about your time spent on the Buying Show Floor

Overall, the Show was just like any other show as far as booths and vendors; I’ve been doing this for 35 years. I found the vendors to be more pleasant than other shows. My assumption is they felt more at ease knowing the retailers had been

vetted, therefore they knew their purchases were basically guaranteed to be paid.

Tell me about your favorites from the Show weekend So, for obvious reasons my favorite thing was winning the Jackpot. [ Editor’s note: Jamie was the Grand Prize winner of $7,000 in RJO Jeweler’s Jackpot, part of the Show’s “Monday Fun Day” fun and games. ] I thoroughly enjoyed all the seminars I attended and the conversations with other retailers. I was able to pick up some new diamond vendors, as well as a much-needed men’s line. I left the Show with a very warm feeling and really enjoyed everything about it.

Was attending the Show a worthwhile investment for your store, and would you recommend it to other RJO jewelers?

I am now kicking myself for not signing up with RJO years ago!!!!!!!!!! The RJO staff were AWESOME!!!!!!!

First-Time Vendor: Shreya Mehta of Amipi, Inc. in New York, NY

How many people from Amipi attended the Winter Buying Show?

Amish Mehta, the fearless leader of Amipi Inc., and yours truly (we're the dynamic duo!), teamed up with our rockstar crew— Krish, Joti, and Karan—for an epic adventure at the Winter Buying Show!

What were your first impressions of Palm Springs?

Touching down in an open-air airport felt like landing in a whole new world. I mean, when was the last time you stepped off a plane and felt the sunshine on your face right away? It was pure magic! And let's talk weather; it wasn't too hot, not too cold–it was the Goldilocks zone, especially for someone used to the freezing vibes of the Northeast. Palm Springs, you've got us hooked on your perfect weather game!

Tell me a little bit about your booth First-timers here, so we were feeling a mix of nerves and excitement!

Our original game plan? Showcasing our brand-new WOW jewelry collection, featuring stunning diamond bangles, bracelets, diamond hoops, necklaces, and more, designed to appeal to every age group. But you know how it goes ... plans

have a way of evolving on the fly. Once we hit the Show floor, we decided to switch things up and showcase our bestseller GIAcertified diamonds too! Because why blend in when you can shine bright, right? And let me tell you, it was a whirlwind! We ended up having meaningful conversations with over 60 retailers. Not a single "thanks, but no thanks" in sight. Every interaction was warm and welcoming. Talk about making a first impression!

How does the RJO Buying Show compare to any other jewelry shows you’ve participated in?

JCK is massive, but let's be real. Sometimes that warmth is missing. It's all about business, business, business. InStore, Miami, JA, they're all decent shows, where we absolutely love connecting with our customers everywhere. However, not everyone in the crowd is as serious as we'd hope. The RJO Buying Show, though, hits that sweet spot of a perfect blend of serious business with a side of genuine warmth and connection.

Tell me about your favorites from the Show weekend

First off, the warmth radiating from the RJO team was unbeatable. Shout-out to Jodi

Flaherty, who greeted me with open arms straight from the moment I landed. I accidentally stumbled into the cocktail hour wearing my airplane outfit, but Jodi's welcoming demeanor instantly put me at ease. Talk about feeling comfortable no matter what you're wearing!

Now, let's talk relaxation—did you know Palm Springs boasts the number one spa (The Spa Se-che) in the U.S.? Yep, you heard that right! The spa experience was nothing short of incredible, and I'm itching to go back. And, of course, we can't forget about the food! Every dining experience was a culinary delight, with fresh ingredients and unforgettable flavors. It felt like being on a dream vacation right in the heart of Palm Springs.

Was attending the Show a worthwhile investment, and would you recommend attending to other RJO vendors?

Absolutely. Attending the RJO Show was a fantastic investment for our company, and I'd wholeheartedly recommend it to fellow RJO vendors. The loyalty within the RJO member base is truly invaluable. The retailers we connected with are of excellent caliber, and the fact payments are guaranteed makes it a no-brainer.

Melissa Kelley

J. F. Kruse Jewelers • Saint Cloud, MN

How many people from your store attended the Show? Two. Me, and our buyer Renee Bloch.

What were your first impressions of Palm Springs?

Palm Springs was gorgeous! I hadn’t been there before, and I can see why it is such a popular travel destination. The weather was lovely, there were lots of nearby fun restaurants, and the city itself isn’t too busy or overcrowded. What a perfect place for a jewelry show!

Tell me about your time on the Buying Show Floor

Since it was our first RJO Show, we spent the first day simply walking the Show floor, taking everything in, and making notes about what we wanted to do and see in the coming days. Everything was laid out efficiently, and it was great there were places mixed in to sit and chat. The thing that impressed me the most about the RJO Show was how organized and well thoughtout it was. All of the people in the RJO office deserve a big hug and a round of applause! Even though it was our first Show, we were able to know exactly what to expect, where to be and when, and what events were happening at what times and places. The event itself was incredibly well-run. I will also say the Show had a culture and air of fun and friendliness to it, which was really refreshing to experience. It didn’t feel stuffy or pretentious; everyone and every event was approachable. My co-worker and I felt like we fit right in from the beginning.

Tell me about your favorites from the Show weekend

We got a LOT of work done at the Show, which felt great! There is something about being out of the store that generates ideas and momentum, which I love and thrive on. We worked hard and came back with lots of ideas and things to implement. In the little free time we had, we enjoyed a few fun dinners out. We didn’t take time to enjoy the weather, as we had so much to learn and do at the Show. Maybe next time.

Our Sponsors

Buying Show first-timers would not have had the great RJO experience they did without the generous support of our Show sponsors:

DIAMOND SPONSORS

ALLISON-KAUFMAN

AUTHENTIC GEM IMPORTS

AVA COUTURE

BELLARRI

CLASSIC GROWN DIAMONDS

DIAMOND EXPRESSIONS

GEMS ONE TRADING

GUILD+FACET

HEERA MOTI INC.

IDD

IZI CREATIONS

MERCURY RING

VARSHA & FIREWORKS DIAMONDS

PLATINUM SPONSORS

A. JAFFE/FIRE & ICE/SANDBERG & SIKORSKI

AIYA DESIGNS

BASSALI JEWELRY

BENEFICIAL ESTATE BUYERS

CHIC PISTACHIO DBA ANIA HAIE AND AURELIE GI

CITIZEN WATCH/ BULOVA

JEWELERS MUTUAL INSURANCE

JEWELRY INNOVATIONS

LEGEND JEWELRY

OSTBYE

PODIUM

PUNCHMARK

QUALITY GOLD

SALESONE/ INOX

STAR SOLITAIRE/ SS LAB GROWN

STEVEN ROYCE DESIGNS

TEVA DIAMONDS

WILKERSON & ASSOC.

GOLD SPONSORS

A & A JEWELRY SUPPLY

A.I. JEWELS

AARUSH DIAM

ARKK JEWELRY ASBA

AVAYGRAY DESIGNS

BERCO JEWELRY CO. BREVANI

DARLING IMPORTS

EDGE BY ABBOTT JEWELRY SYSTEMS, INC

EQUITY DIAMOND BROKERS

FRANK REUBEL DESIGNS

GEM STAR CO.

GREEN ROCKS

HARI JEWELS

JAS DIAMONDS

AMIPI INC

BERING TIME

CHASIN DREAMS

JD&CO A TRUNG DO

GOLDSMITH CO

JEWELEX NEW YORK, INC.

METAL MARKETPLACE INT.

MIDAS CHAIN INC.

MK JEWELRY, INC.

MONTAGE JEWELRY CARE

NICE DIAMONDS

ORO ALEXANDER

REKO SETTINGS

REMBRANDT CHARMS - RQC LTD.

ROYAL CHAIN

SHAH LUXURY

SIMPLEXDIAM

STAR GEMS, INC.

STERLING REPUTATION, INC.

UNISON JEWELRY

SILVER SPONSORS

CONCEPTS EARRINGS & JEWELRY PROMOTIONS

DON CONKEY & SONS

DV JEWELRY GROUP EARSTUDS USA

EMPIRE CORPORATION

GN DIAMOND

M. GELLER

MAC TIME & JEWELRY INC

MALO CREATION

NUNU, LLC

OBAKU WATCHES

PANCIS GEMS

SDC CREATIONS

SHEFI DIAMONDS

SYNCHRONY

THE SINGER ESTATE COLLECTION

Was attending the Show a worthwhile investment for your store, and would you recommend it to other RJO jewelers? Absolutely! Everyone was there to work hard and move forward, yet still have fun in the process. It was definitely worth the investment, and I look forward to future RJO Shows.

HL MANUFACTURING CO

INTERINGS

J GRANT & CO.

JEWELRY STORE MARKETERS

JORGE REVILLA

KELLY WATERS

THE STANDOUT DESIGN INC

TR JEWELRY CONCEPTS / SIMPLY DIAMONDS

TRACTECH

VARIETY GEM INC

YCH, INC.

MILESTONES

Karen Crivelli, wife of Ralph Crivelli, died on January 12, 2024, at the age of 67. Ralph is a sales representative for RJO vendors Victor Corporation in Cincinnati, OH, and Kelly Waters in Boston, MA.

Mike Pribyl, of Cahill-Pribyl Jewelers in Keokuk, IA, passed away on January 19, 2024. He was 63. Mike served on the inaugural RJO Foundation Board of Directors in April 2015 and was elected President of the Foundation in 2018. More about Mike may be found on page 4 of this issue.

Our thoughts go out to the families.

CALENDAR

March 2024 8

All payments must be received in RJO Office

NEW MEMBERS

Arnett’s Fine Jewelry

Steve Arnett

Oxford, MS

Referred by Allan King

Lammons Jewelry, Oxford, MS

First People’s Jewelers

Frank Zangerl

Denton, TX

Jonathans Jewelry

Bryan Nock

Salt Lake City, UT

Referred by Rand Gold

Tidewater Gold & Diamond, Chesapeake, VA

Kimberly-Scott Creations

Kimberly Davidson & Scott Brown Watertown, NY

Kirk & Company Jewelers

James Kirk Milford, OH

Lara’s Jewelry and Design

Lara Pranter

Hot Springs, AR

Main Street Jewelry

Shaun Shea

Safety Harbor, FL

Referred by Gerard Santa Maria, Jr. Caesars Jewelers, Clearwater, FL

Melody’s Quality Jewelry

Melody Farnen Mexico, MO

Referred by Prashant Mehta Diamond Expressions, New York, NY

San Anthony Jewelry

Guillermo Betancourt

New Braunfels, TX

Referred by Aubre Ford RDI Diamonds, Rochester, NY

Worthington Jewelers

Robert Capace

Worthington, OH

Referred by Michael Archambault Karlise Fine Jewelers, Burlington, VT

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.