September 2017 Issue

I N

T H E

LOUPE September 2017

MUTUAL BENEFITS In the Know with RJO SEE PAGE 2

FROM THE RJO FACEBOOK PAGE Any Ideas for Hosting a Ladies’ Night?

SEE PAGE 3

RJO BUYING SHOW AWARD AND PRIZE WINNERS SEE PAGES 10-11

COVER STORY How RJO Members in Texas Survived Hurricane Harvey SEE PAGE 12

The Ultimate Jeweler Resource

Issue 75

Mile High Style Delights THE AIR IN DENVER may have been a bit thin, but the Buying Show was thick with more than 1,200 RJO jewelers and vendors. This summer’s Mile High Style Buying Show hosted nearly 10 percent more stores than last year’s Show in Indianapolis. This show of strength-in-numbers resulted in sales as high as the mountain surrounding the host city.

“Sales reports are still coming in, and numbers look strong,” says RJO CEO Sarah Streb. “We’re still awaiting a few more sales reports, but preliminary figures indicate this was one of our best summer shows ever.”

Seminar sessions saw large turnouts; the presentation rooms were filled with attendees with lots of questions, and the Show floor saw crowds winding their way through the aisles of booths, placing orders for the holiday season ahead. A number of new twists on the Buying Show formula were well received, including a Friday Kick-off Reception, as well as the new Sunday Brain Gain sessions. The Show also served as the debut for many new vendors, whom you may learn about in this video.

Be sure to mark your calendars for our winter Buying Show: Sparkle, January 20-22, 2018, in Savannah, GA.

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

In the Know with RJO Mutual Benefits GROWING UP, MY VISION of our family’s multigenerational jewelry store was of a lone jeweler competing for customers against other area jewelers, as well as competing with vendors to get exclusive products at better rates. I also envisioned salespeople as independents, working tirelessly to secure the jewelers’ last dollars before the next sales rep came in the door.

RJO reduces many stresses associated with this lone wolf past, including influencing vendors on products, terms, and exclusivity. Vendors also are served well by RJO, via guaranteed payment and bulk orders, among other advantages. During the usual course of business, it’s easy for jewelers to mostly connect with just other jewelers, while vendors still move forward with a strong individual streak.

Last month in Denver, I was struck by the examples I saw of how RJO fosters a newer vision, where all members seem to work with one another. It is not usversus-them, but a strong partnership that is important for everyone’s success. Vendors really want jewelers to succeed, as it supports their ability to take product risks and make accurate long-term business decisions.

Jewelers want vendors to succeed, as it provides for a wider range of product and assures them of stable suppliers going forward.

If I recall from Mrs. Reilly’s high school biology class, this is called a symbiotic relationship in the animal world. In the retail world, it is simply called loyalty. We see it happen every day on our Facebook pages, when jewelers need a special cut in two days, and a vendor steps up and delivers. Or when a vendor posts an idea and gets the honest reaction he or she seeks.

New trends in retail can disrupt the relationship between jewelers and vendors, and RJO has faced several such disruptions over the last 50 years.

Currently RJO leadership and the Merchandise Review Committee are working with vendors to understand the consequences when vendors begin selling directly to consumers. We will take advantage of our lasting and loyal partnerships with jewelers and vendors alike to provide a way forward that is in everyone’s best interest. As one of the country’s largest independent retail organizations, this approach has served us well in the past and will continue to do so.

As you gear up for a successful holiday season, be sure to take a moment to reflect on what our retailers do to help our vendors and what our vendors do to help our retailers. I'm proud to say loyalty runs deep in RJO.

CEO, RJO

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

From RJO’s Facebook Page THE RJO PAGE ON FACEBOOK hosts a variety of interesting discussions each week.

Here’s an edited exchange from the end of August:

SERVICES Centralized Billing Patronage Dividend RJO Website (rjomembers.com) Buying Shows (Summer/Winter) RJO Chat Channel In the Loupe – RJO’s newsletter Free Print and Radio Ad Library (on the RJO website) Educational Seminars (at the Buying Shows) Member-to-Member Incentive Program (Recruitment Program) Organized Buying Trips to Antwerp and Idar-Oberstein, and Israel RJO Directory Travel Vouchers at Shows (offered at varying times) Free Hotel Room Incentive (at the Buying Shows) RJO Informational E-mail Blasts Purchase Vouchers (at the Buying Shows) RJO Membership Certificate Education on the Go Podcasts and Webinars Private Label Credit Card Service JewelConnect

Original Post: We’re thinking of planning a Ladies’ Night sometime this fall. What are your best tips for a successful evening? Has anyone played “Bauble Bingo?”

That was one of our ideas …

Reply One: Have a raffle going to a local charity. We have great luck getting local businesses to donate gift baskets to raffle off. Salons, boutiques, non-competetype gift stores. We have a person come in to do mini manicures and chair massages every year. Have had another do facials before, too. Serve wine and some finger foods. Hold a giveaway to the first 50 in the door, however we will be changing this to only those that fill out a wish list. Glik always has some inexpensive items that seem to work well. Jayden Star does as well. Under $5 per piece is what I prefer. Interested to hear other ideas we can implement as well.

Reply Two: I have not tried it yet, but someone suggested this to me, and I love the idea. Pick a couple of items in your store to give away. No one knows what they are, but you. Your goal is to get the ladies to try things on. The ladies take pictures with the items on and post them on your Facebook page. At the end of the night, you see if anyone has tried on those pieces you chose to give away, and if so, they are your winner. It does a few things for you: First, as we all know, sometimes a piece just needs to be put on to fall in love with it. By taking a picture now, they know what to tell their husband to buy them. Lastly you have women posting to your Facebook page, promoting your jewelry.

Reply Three: If you are in an area with other stores, team up with them to be open also. The more stores you have, the more people you will draw. We had a Sip and Shop night in July with other downtown businesses. Each store had sips, some alcoholic and some not. In our store we gave away laser-inscribed stemless wine glasses. We had over 200 people come through our store in two hours. It was a huge success, and all the shoppers said they can’t wait for the next one.

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

There’s Still Room for You: RJO’s Fall Overseas Trip THOUGH RJO’S TWO TRIPS aren’t until October, there is no calm for Connie Matsen, RJO’s Overseas Branding Trip coordinator. Matsen just returned from the Denver Buying Show, where interest in the trips were strong, and back at the office, she’s seeing members sign up regularly.

“We still have room, though, for this all-inclusive trip to Idar-Oberstein,” says Matsen. “Hans-Dieter Haag, Kate Peterson, and Anish Desai are making this a trip of a lifetime for your business and for pleasure.”

Peterson’s program provides vital education to stores’ sales staff to make sure customers know where to go for a direct connection to overseas diamond and colored-gemstone cutters. It includes a Trainer’s Guide and Notes, an extensive PowerPoint presentation, and an associates training

notebook. Program travelers also will be greeted by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre and distinguished as DNA (Diamonds in Antwerp) Ambassadors. RJO is currently the only North American buying group with this partnership.

Desai, president and CEO from Star Gems, is working with Jochen Benzel, from Germany’s Hans-Dieter Haag to bring vendors’ expertise to the trip. Desai is an expert in creating custom designs for all the colored stones sourced in Idar-Oberstein.

“Color can be fun and lucrative at the same time,” he says.

“Your trip not only allows you to source diamonds directly from Antwerp, but to source beautiful color directly from Germany. Jochen and I have partnered to bring one-of-akind custom color designs to your market that can still be modified to fit customers' budgets. We are working on professional sketches to provide plenty of design ideas to help market color and presell color all year long. Prices for production pieces will be available with the sketches as a starting entry point to a range that will help presell color, a very lucrative category.”

To learn more about this great opportunity, contact RJO trip coordinator Matsen at: cmatsen@rjomembers.com.

Antwerp at night

2017 Dates

First Europe Trip Hosted by Liz Schlauch & Jeff Horlacher Antwerp: October 7-12 Idar-Oberstein: October 12-16

Second Europe Trip Hosted by Connie & Steve Matsen Antwerp: October 14-19

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

JewelConnect’s New V3 Store Profile Design JEWELCONNECT, the RJO-exclusive web marketing system has now released Version 3.0 of their design store profile pages.

“This release capitalizes on a number of new design trends and search engine requirements, as well as brings the system into its next phase,” says Andrew Boundy, JewelConnect’s lead designer. “It’s been seven years since version 1.0 and three since version 2.0.” This new Version profile (aka “V 3.0”), keeps the familiar functionality, but adds new graphic ad content, simplifies searches, is mobile-optimized, and it adds new products into the system, including the unique Luminar Bridal line. This, in turn, boosts designer and unique-item choice on more than 500 RJO profile sites across the country.

“We’re delighted to work with some incredible RJO vendors,” says Boundy. “We have proactive vendors who take time and work with us to market their inventory in a way that benefits both them and the retailers. Now, with this new template, we aim to assist in even more sales than we have done already, by increasing choice offered in a great new design.”

The team will be updating the main site—JewelConnect.com— next, in time for the Christmas season. Also, Boundy says they are working on several new innovations to assist in marketing the retailers, vendors, and the group in general going forward.

PLAN NOW FOR OUR NEXT BUYING SHOW!

Sparkle January 2018 • Savannah, GA

Future Show Locations

“We wanted to get the individual store profiles released first, to capitalize early on the upcoming season,” says Boundy, “but we never stop innovating new tech and marketing ideas. It’s what we do.”

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

July 2018 Minneapolis, MN February 2019 Nashville, TN July 2019 Schaumburg, IL

Charles Frey & Co: Cash Raising for Jewelers IT’S NOT UNUSUAL for a retail business, at some point in its life, to need to raise cash. Whether it be a succession to the next generation, retirement, store closing, or a moving sale, raising cash is a skill and often requires the help of a professional. Charles Frey & Co Incorporated (CFCO) is that professional, specializing in helping jewelers. CFCO is located in Charleston, SC, along the Atlantic coast in the southeastern part of the state, about halfway between Savannah, GA, and Myrtle Beach, SC. It is here that CFCO was founded in 2006 by Chuck Frey.

“Whatever the reason or need a jeweler has for conducting a cash-raising event, we have probably created one like it,” says Frey. “From retirement sales to moving sales, from store closing sales to bankruptcy sales, CFCO has conducted them all.” says Frey. “We develop the theme, create the projection, build the ad campaign, write the copy, provide as much or as little fill-in inventory support as the store needs, and provide expert on-site supervision for the length of the sale.”

grader for the GIA in the diamond district of New York.

CFCO’s clients have included a number of RJO members, including: Herzog Jewelers, Bagley & Co, Gerrick Jewelers, Butler Truax Jewelers, Michael & Sons Jewelers, Wickersham Jewelers, Marks of Design, JB Kaiser, Ruby Jewelers, Miller Jewelers, and Bernie Ochs Jewelers, to name just a few.

“RJO is the very definition of a ‘family business’ on a grand scale,” says Frey. “Retailers and vendors alike are familyrun organizations that thrive in this relationship-rich environment. Add to that the high quality of the cuttingedge educational seminars RJO offers, and RJO is a winning combination to all of its members. CFCO considers it a privilege to be a part of this organization.”

“We give back what has first been given to us, our time, our talent and our treasure.” This quote offered by Frey is embraced in many teachings about stewardship, and it represents CFCO’s inspiration for supporting RJO’s Succession Experience, of which CFCO is a sponsor.

The firm is made up of a team of industry professionals that includes media planners, advertising copy writers, merchandising personnel, legal counsel, graphic artists, and professional on-site jewelry store sales-event managers (sale supervisors); some twenty-seven people and growing.

The history of CFCO begins in 1986, when Frey started as a sale supervisor for Jim Bayless Sales Innovations in Brownfield, TX, and Ruidoso, NM. Frey has been conducting sales for jewelers ever since.

“A succession from one generation to the next is one of the more complex and emotional projects family businesses can undertake,” says Frey. “So many things need to be considered to do it right, and in many cases the succession plan funds a portion of the retiring generation’s retirement plan. The process typically takes years. If our experience can bring beneficial answers that aid the process, then we’re interested in ‘giving that back’ to our industry.”

Originally a native of New York City, Frey started his career in the jewelry industry in the late seventies as a diamond

Charles Frey & Co Incorporated is located at 1092 Johnnie Dodds Blvd # 105, in Mt Pleasant, SC. Phone: (843) 849-1600; E-mail: chuck@cfco.us

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

NEW MEMBERS Allen’s Jewelers Dennis J. Marshall Jacksonville, FL

Thollot Diamonds & Fine Jewelry Troy & Joy Thollot Thornton, CO

Giorgio’s Fine Jewelry Bill Ayaz Freehold, NJ

Valle Jewelers Stephen Valle, Carrie Lawrence Batavia, NY

Luisa Graff Jewelers Luisa Graff Colorado Springs, CO

Walsons & Co Karim Valiani Cordova, TN

McGough & Co. Stacey McGough Whitefish, MT

Wyatt’s Jewelers Kirk Keppler Seattle, WA

Plantation Jewelers Alex Ramos Winter Garden, FL

Yarnal Jewelers, Inc. Sherry Yarnal Castro Valley, CA

Referred by: Karen Duclos, Frederic Duclos, Huntington Beach, CA

Diamond Center Zach Cash Fort Smith, AR

Referred by: Aubre Ford, RDI, Rochester, NY

E. Ryan Jewelers Vicki Jackson, Patty Sammons Decatur, IL

Referred by: Rick Gouthro, Diamond Emotions, East Lansing, MI

Family JewelBox Jesse Dyson, Phyllis Holmes, Perry Holmes Winnfield, LA

Referred by: Mark Lyon, Victor Corp., Cincinnati, OH

Finks’ Jewelers Richard Finks Woodstock, VA

G.A. Pope Fine Jewelry Greg & Lynn Pope Hendersonville, NC

Referred by: Rick Foye, Garrick Jewelers, Hanover, PA

Referred by: George Prout, Gems One, New York, NY

Referred by: Bart Leddel, Leddel Designs, San Mateo, CA

Referred by: Vinney Mirabella, Gems One, New York, NY

Referred by: Ralph Crivelli, Victor Corp., Cincinnati, OH

Referred by: Dharm International, New York, NY

Referred by: Jimmy Sullivan, Royal Chain, New York, NY

Referred by: Don Baide, The Gem Gallery, Bozeman, MT

Referred by: Joanna Gruver Hudzik, Haywood Jewelers, Hardy, VA

Referred by: Kate Pearce, Pearce Jewelers. West Lebanon, NH

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.

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

The Richter & Phillips Company A LITTLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, Cincinnati’s longtime jewelry store, The Richter & Phillips Company, nearly tripled its store’s squarefootage. That’s a pretty nimble move for a company that’s nearly 125 years old.

“Well, we’re on our 122nd year here,” says the company’s Rick Fehr. “So when we hit on 125, I’m sure we will celebrate if—God willing—we’re still here. We’ve not really thought about that yet. We’re still thinking about Christmas of 2017.” It’s this focus that helped The Richter & Phillips Company survive more than a hundred years of the ups and downs of markets and trends.

The Richter & Phillips Company’s history begins in 1896, at the turn of the 19th century, when four men opened a store in downtown Cincinnati, OH. The four were C. Edward Richter and three brothers named Phillips, and the store was named The Richter & Phillips Company. The store was unique, as it offered a catalog in addition to the offerings in its brick-and-mortar

store. Items available in the nationwide mail-order catalogs included: jewelry, giftware, luggage, purses, trophies, plaques, clocks, electrical appliances, sporting goods, musical instruments, dolls and toys.

Yet, at the top of the list was jewelry.

Salesman traveled all over the country with large trunks full of jewelry, selling to other jewelry companies. The showroom displayed jewelry, diamonds, and giftware.

The foursome worked hard to keep the company afloat, but the financial hardships of the Great Depression forced the company into bankruptcy.

Frederick W. Fehr, a traveling diamond salesman (working for a different company) was able to secure a bank loan to buy the store and keep it open. Over the next few years Fehr bought out all remaining stockholders, thus making The Richter & Phillips Company a familyowned business.

Located in the Temple Bar Building at the corners of Court and Main Streets, Fehr handled all diamond and jewelry deals.

In 1946, Mr. Fehr’s son, Frederick W. Fehr, Jr., began work at the store.

“I remember unloading trucks at 13 years old,” says Fred Fehr, Jr., who still works at the store a few days a week, “After going off in the Navy, I came back and continued to work for my Dad.” The Richter & Phillips Company continued business as usual until the early 1970s when Fred Fehr, Jr., decided to branch out. Under a different business name, Richter & Phillips Jeweler and Distributors, Fred, Jr. opened two new stores. One in Florence, Kentucky and the other in Delhi, a suburb of Cincinnati. With much more space available than the downtown location, these two stores displayed all of the items found in the catalogs. Unfortunately, these two stores weren’t quite as successful as the original one. Both were sold in the late 1970s and eventually went out of business in the early 1980s. As did the catalog.

Also during this time, The Richter & Phillips Company (downtown) was

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

Call for Applications

being pushed out of its location in the Temple Bar Building, and the company made its final move to its current location of Sixth and Main Street. While the location may have changed, the company is still owned by the Fehr family. Frederick W. Fehr retired in 1972, at 90 years old, leaving the business to his son, Fred Fehr, Jr. In 1982, after becoming a graduate gemologist, Fred Fehr Jr.’s son, Rick (Frederick W. Fehr, III) joined the staff at The Richter & Phillips Company. Upon his hiring, Rick took over all diamond and gemstone purchasing and sales.

Rounding out the true feeling of the family-owned business, another of Fred Fehr, Jr.’s sons, Arthur, joined the staff after becoming a graduate gemologist in the early 1990s.

Today at The Richter & Phillips Company, you can find Rick and Art Fehr busy at their desks or assisting customers in the showroom and Fred Fehr Jr. plugging away at the mounds of paperwork in his office a few days a week. The company also tries to stay on top of jewelry trends, attending at least one of RJO’s Buying Shows each year.

“The discounts are probably the best aspect of RJO for us, as is the variety of different vendors,” says Rick, “but the network of vendors and the other retailers has also been a good reason for us being part of RJO.” The Richter & Phillips Company is located at 601 Main Street in Cincinnati, OH. Phone: (513) 241-3510 E-mail: customerservice@richterphillips.com www.richterphillips.com

The time has come once again for the RJO Foundation to put out the call for scholarship applications!

Click here to access the application.

All applications must be returned to Connie Miller (connie@rjomembers.com) by Friday, September 22 to be considered.

The RJO Foundation has been able to award more than 30 scholarships since its inception, thanks to your generous gifts.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to make a donation to the Foundation, please call the RJO office at (800) 247-1774. We would be happy to assist you!

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

RJO Award Winners 2017 RJO BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARD

Liz Schlauch Barany Jewelers

VENDORS OF THE YEAR

Loose Goods: RDI Diamonds

Finished Goods (tie): Ostbye

VENDORS OF THE YEAR

Service/Specialty Products: EDGE by Abbott & Shapiro

Finished Goods (tie): Allison Kaufman

SALES REP OF THE YEAR

Clock/Watch: Citizen Watch Co.

Tim Marr Ostbye

KICK-OFF RECEPTION TOWER DESIGN CONTEST WINNER: Parlé FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

Purchase Voucher Frenzy!

Winners A. Neal ($25) AG Becker Chip Stone Patsy Daniel Scott Lewis Bellarri ($100) Laurie Kottke Linda Griffiths Robin Lies Classic of NY ($50) David Kline Linda Griffiths Lea Chehade - Pamela’s Fine Jewelry Color Merchants ($250) AG Becker Jo Dickens Concept Marketing ($50) Erika Godfrey Patrick Mosley - Danwerke Int’l.

Paul Krueger HL Mfg. ($200) Susan Walker-Weiand Kelly Waters ($250) Rochelle Klieger Lustour ($50) Kate Marks (2) Patrick Mosley - Danwerke Int’l.

Lustour - Jewelry LED ($50) EJ Hart Patsy Daniel Rochelle Klieger Malo Creations ($50) AG Becker Cathy Couch (2) Chip Stone (2) Andy Russakoff Gary Kempker

Jean McIntosh Linda Griffiths (2) Obaku ($300) Rochelle Klieger Officina Bernardi ($100) Douglas Jewelers Oro International ($100) Nancy Marchell Rochelle Klieger Paragon ($100) Rochelle Klieger RJO ($200) Jean McIntosh Pat’s Jewelry - Sioux Center Tammy Ross - Windles SDC Creations ($100) Carol Bacon Mark Cormier Nancy Marchell Signature Engraving ($500) Rochelle Klieger Andy Russakoff Linda Griffith Vince Morrissey Jeanne Roe Tavannes Watch ($150) Linda Griffiths Robert Hunn Thinkspace

($250 towards new service)

Andy Russakoff Rochelle Klieger

YCH ($200) Chip Stone Mary Kay Kempker Rochelle Klieger

Buying Show Sponsors Shopping Bags Gage & Gage, Inc. Wi-Fi – Exhibit Hall VEER Friday Kick-Off Hosted Bars Color Merchants The EDGE by Abbott Jewelry Systems GN Diamond LLC Grice Showcase & Display Friday Kick-Off – Tower Showcases Color Merchants Diamond Expressions ELLE Time & Jewelry Frank Reubel Designs Jewelry Innovations Lustour Inc. Pancis Gems Parlé /Idaho Opal & Gem Corp.

Seminar Educational Series M&G Jewelers (4) Seminar Handbook Berco Jewelry Co. Charles Frey & Company Darling Imports (2) Dizeo E. Gluck (3) Imperial Pearl Jewelry Innovations Seminar Pens BELLARRI Seminar Coffee Sleeves Star Gems Opening Luncheon & Keynote Jewelex New York Obaku LLC Center Lounge - Saturday Shah Luxury (2) Beverage Stations – Saturday Jewelex New York Stanley Robin/ White Isle / Pearltek Welcome Reception Bars – Saturday Jewelry Innovations (2) Ofer Mizrahi Diamonds Inc. Paul Reiser & Assoc.

Joint Breakfast & Roundtables Jewelers Mutual Insurance Brain Gain Breakouts – Sunday GN Diamonds LLC Center Lounge – Sunday Diamond Expressions Beverage Stations – Sunday ARKK Jewelry Berco Jewelry Co. Stanley Robin / White Isle / Pearltek

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

Sunday Happy Hour – Central Bars The EDGE by Abbott Jewelry Systems Star Solitaire Sunday Happy Hour – Corner Bars A & D Gem Corp.

Ofer Mizrahi Diamonds Inc. Sunday Evening Get-together Star Solitaire Sunday Evening Bars Allison-Kaufman ELLE Time & Jewelry Grice Showcase & Display Levy Creations Ofer Mizrahi Diamonds Sterling Reputation Monday Lounge Interings Beverage Stations – Monday H.L. Mfg. YCH, Inc. Farewell Reception Bars – Monday Darling Imports Seiko Personalized Hotel Key Cards Metal Marketplace RJO Event App Splash Page Gems One RJO Event App Banner Ad Jewelers Mutual Insurance Midas Chain Show Floor Digital Ad A & D Corporation Ancora Designs Beny Sofer Bijou Jewelers Charles Frey & Company Color Merchants Darling Imports Seiko Statement Stuffer AV Diamonds Color Merchants Jewelry Innovations Lustour Inc. Thinkspace Idea Center SIM NY Antwerp / Idar-Oberstein Trip Dharm International Fischler Diamonds Gems One Hans-Dieter Haag Ofer Mizrahi Schurhammer Mfg. Co. SIM NY Succession Experience Charles Frey & Company Federated Insurance Ostbye

Surviving Harvey

Cover Story

On Friday evening, August 18, the National Hurricane Center in Miami downgraded a tropical cyclone it had named Harvey to a tropical depression. The storm received little national attention.

One week later, Harvey, now a Category 4 hurricane, made landfall just north of the coast of Corpus Cristi, TX, the state’s first Category 4 in more than 50 years. For the next three days, Harvey unleashed winds of up to 130 mph at it’s peak and dumped more than 50 inches of rain on a vast stretch covering Houston and areas to its northeast.

Estimates suggest some areas will remain flooded for weeks, and a national outpouring of help will continue for many months ahead.

Here are edited stories from five RJO members who were in or near Harvey:

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

Amber Gustafson Amber’s Designs Fine Jewelry

Katy, TX (30 miles directly west of Houston)

I was spared flooding in my store and home, but I had staff and friends that either had to be rescued or had flood water in their homes. Most could not get to work, and a few had to be rescued by boat with only the clothes they had on.

I don’t have any business issues, other than I cannot conduct business because too many of my employees had water or could not get to work because of the water.

Others had parents with water, and they needed to help them clean up. I do have business interruption insurance, which I hope to be able to be granted being I cannot open my store without employees.

At the moment, it is probably the closest to a combat zone that I have ever been in. Police from all over the state are stationed in the mall just outside my neighborhood, and army helicopters are flying overhead constantly, and army vehicles are all over. Our local high school is the staging area for the army, and the soldiers are sleeping in the hallways among lockers and cots in the gymnasium.

School was to start the first Tuesday of September, but was postponed until the following week. Will there be army people still here in six months? I really can’t say. This is a first for me. Right now no one wants jewelry; they want to get back into their homes. I can’t see my business being anything on the top of peoples’ priorities.

It was scary having non stop tornado warnings. I think there were 145 or so during the storm; it had us seeking shelter. Escape plans were talked about, important documents were located, and we waited. We waited for it to be over. We worried about friends, and I still am getting phone calls and messages wondering how we survived. Our home is open to all friends that find themselves homeless, but all seem to have family that had a safe place.

volunteers, people were being turned away. I stayed at donation points until I found something to do. I helped bag clothing with a local non-profit group. The next day they didn’t need me so I went to the mall behind my neighborhood, where they were taking delivery of the animals found in Beaumont. Some were found in a church, with no owners, and others were from the shelters and relocated to Katy. There, people donated pillows, towels, blankets, and we had to separate them into their piles. From there we went to the cleaning of kennels, and I worked for more than five hours, washing and rinsing 150-200 cages, including those for cats, rabbits, small birds, and large dogs. I rinsed cages with a nurse from Houston, my daughter (who just had a baby five months ago), boy scouts, and strangers of all types, wanting to help. Veterinarians from around the country were helping, tending to the dogs, cats, giving them fluids if needed. The line of people with their personal cars waiting to take the animals to Austin (two hours away) was longer then I could see. One man came from Maryland with donated supplies, dropped them off, and then he was taking a load of dogs to Austin. If homes could not be found there, he was taking them to Maryland to get them adopted. The stories go on and on, and they will continue.

How can I open my store when there is a bigger problem to fix in Texas? Amazingly, I have very few calls and messages at my store, probably because my messages says we will be closed until after Labor Day. How could anyone work, when there is so much to do? I am anxious to get back to work and get back to a new normal. The old normal will be forever changed, but in my opinion, for the better. We are Texans!

I am still driving around with seven bags of clothes in my car that no one wanted, because they have so much. I just need to find someone to give them to.

Mattress Mack, (Jim McIngvale), a local furniture celebrity, was the true hero. He opened his huge showroom to all evacuees, and fed them.

The ultimate heroes—Texans—and the cooperation and the free-will giving from everyone, makes me proud. I personally bought school supplies for a teacher in my neighborhood who is going to create a room for free school supplies, as many students and teachers lost everything too. People in the Dollar Store were doing the same, buying things to donate. My heart swelled.

Strangers from other states have come with supplies, boats, strong backs and courage; the stories are amazing.

All of this is done in peace, with colorblind eyes, and giving as though their cups runneth over. There were so many

This photo shows the inside of the Larry high school gymnasium. They took over the school.

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

Annette St Romain Bijoux Sulphur’s Fine Jeweler

Diamond Jim Mills Pineforest Jewelry

Our main concern was flooding from the torrential rains in our area. We protected the outside of the store from flood waters, as well as moved supplies, displays, etc., on top of cabinets and showcases, and then we picked up the jewelry and locked up.

Harvey is a true disaster. However, from among this pain, suffering, and loss arose a sense of camaraderie that is seldom seen elsewhere in the United States. Texans are simply different. Our “can do” attitude is something to behold. When flooding began, folks simply prepared for the duration, as did we. However, as the waters rose, we saw person after person rising to the occasion to help their neighbors who were worse off. Overall, the good people of Houston—and Texas as a whole—turned out in droves to help those less fortunate and harmed by this natural disaster.

Sulphur, LA (150 miles northeast of Houston)

We went to our homes to do the same. We stocked up on water, food, and supplies. In our neighborhood, the men went house to house to help one another secure their property. They were very inventive—since sandbags were in short supply—using tarps, concrete blocks, and dirt to secure doorways. We live in the country, so we also had to move our animals to higher ground near shelter.

Two of my employees had flooding during heavy rains.

Fortunately, we had breaks in the rain storms that allowed the water to recede. Although the roads were flooded, we were blessed that no one’s home flooded. We kept in touch through texting, since our cellular service was not good. We are planning to reopen the last Thursday in August.

Houston, TX

Folks provided food, water, bedding, and food for those left homeless, to the extent that it became overwhelming! More supplies were being distributed than could be absorbed by the shelters in many instances. Folks were being rescued by boat after boat, driven by anonymous heroes who came out of the dark to help. The county had literally thousands of photos of

We have been in our location for 27 years and have never flooded. After this storm, I will purchase flood insurance. There is a lot to be said for peace of mind. My Jewelers Mutual agent suggested to lock our jewelry in a safety deposit box at our bank. (You have to let the insurance company know that you are using the safety deposit box for coverage.)

I think the next couple of months will be slower than normal, with people recovering from the local flooding. We are a resilient community, so we will bounce back fast. We survived Hurricane Rita, so we will be fine.

The scariest part of this experience was watching the water rise and being helpless. It was nighttime when the highest water hit, which made it difficult to judge the water level. When it rose to two feet from our door, we decided to move to a family member’s house for safety. Driving out of the neighborhood was scary as well, since we could not see the road. We were able to get there, and we are thankful for the safety of our family.

The kindest act I saw was the volunteers filling sand bags for those in need and neighbors helping neighbors. Nothing brings people together like a natural disaster! Our community is amazing! Many shelters were opened, and families were welcomed with open arms. It also was amazing to see Cajun Navy volunteer in Texas for search and rescue. I am blessed to live in this community.

The flooding of the motel is approximately three blocks away from Pineforest Jewelry.

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

boats and owners posted on their walls, willing to do their share to help those in need. We even had our good friends from Louisiana—the Cajun Navy—provide boats and assistance for those in need. The Navy is a formal search-and-rescue group that was organized after Katrina. They were, and are, wonderful folks.

Our first responders left their own flooded homes and families, and put themselves in harm’s way to help others even worse off. One police officer even drowned in his patrol car attempting to help. So many thousands of folks have literally lost everything! It has been devastating!

Understanding the grief that some have gone through is absolutely impossible. For instance, a customer of ours, Sammy Saldivar, was attempting to flee the flood waters in a van. Sammy was driving across a bridge Sunday when rising water in Greens Bayou overcame the van. Sammy said the victims are his elderly parents and four great-nieces and -nephews. A tragic experience beyond comprehension.

Harvey had little effect on our store and employees. My jeweler lost power, forcing him to cook everything from the freezer on a grill. He watched and waited as the water crept up an inch from entering his home, and then it stopped. My brother, the shop manager, received 11” of water on his first floor, and three of his vehicles received water. He has had four liver transplants in the last 2 1/2 years, a hip replacement, open heart surgery, and was on dialysis for months. But today he is figuring out how to get to work tomorrow. His Texas attitude is simply, “I’m not even down about this. I’ve been through floods before … and worse. Look at what others have lost! Mine is nothing by comparison.” Most of the staff simply weathered the storm and came through without the severe losses that others in Houston have endured...and continue to endure.

Security is always an issue, and although insurance companies would rather you not attempt to personally protect your store and valuables, I have always had the Texas mentality that you protect what is yours. Remember that Texas has common sense laws that actually ALLOW us to protect ourselves and our property. So I remained in the business for five days … locked and loaded! Remember that although we have a huge amount of folks that have the Texas attitude, we do have many who have moved here in the past 10-15 years who don’t get it. Those are the ones we protect each other from. And we do it well, I might mention!

Water began rising around our 7200 SF store. As the water began to enter the building on two sides during the worst of the storm, we began to use towels against the walls to absorb the water. We had no idea as to whether or not the bayou near us was going to inundate us or not. The bayou was already 11 feet out of its banks, and all of the nearby roads and I-10 were completely inundated and impassable. For two days we could only think that at any moment the flood waters would enter violently.

RJO members within the landing of Hurricane Harvey Jewelers

Amber’s Designs Katy, TX

Bijoux Sulphur’s Fine Jeweler Sulphur, LA Cleveland Jewelers Inc. Cleveland, TX

Conroe’s Diamond Exchange Conroe, TX Melancon Jewelers Abbeville, LA Pineforest Jewelry Houston, TX

Robichau’s Jewelry The Woodlands, TX

Robson’s Diamond Jewelers Baytown, TX

Rogers Fine Jewelers Sinton, TX

Shannon Fine Jewelry Houston, TX Susann's Custom Jewelers Corpus Christi, TX Victoria’s Fine Jewelry Rockport, TX

The opening of Gallery Furniture locations here was almost incomprehensible. Mattress Mack opened three locations to be used as shelters. He accommodated hundreds at each store, thousands altogether. He provided assistance in any way possible, including food, water, etc. Mattress Mack is an acquaintance of mine, and I know he is a believer in giving back to the community that gives him and his family so much. He is truly a knight in shining armor, and is there when the community needs him.

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

Vendors

A V Diamonds Houston, TX

Gemvision Lafayette, LA SK Diamonds Houston, TX

Stuller, Inc. Lafayette, LA

Gary Zoet Shannon Fine Jewelry

Joey Gill Victoria’s Fine Jewelry

Harvey caused flooding in many areas around our business, and several neighborhoods where our customers and employees reside.

The store decided to close from Saturday, August 26Thursday August 31, so that our families could prepare for the storm.

We own our building, and we lost a large plate-glass window storefront. We also suffered some water and wind damage inside our store, but we are intact. One of the best things about living in a little town is that I received a call on Saturday morning from the sheriff’s wife, letting me know that she was at our store, and she had secured the damage temporarily.

Houston, TX

Fortunately we only had one employee get flood waters in their home, and both businesses remained dry. We stayed dry and are open for business.

The next six months will be hard to forecast, but we expect that the people of Texas will slowly return to normal over the next several months.

The scariest part of the last week was the unknown.

Harvey dumped an unprecedented amount of rain in the greater Houston area. Homes that have never seen floods were left completely under water.

The generosity of everyday people made you feel good.

People from all over the state and surrounding areas came in to help. Neighbors helped neighbors, be it search and rescue, delivering food, donating time or money, or businesses opening their doors as makeshift shelters.

Rockport, TX

My husband and I evacuated to Austin, and our employees went to San Antonio. We all have damage of some degree to our homes and no electricity. Water is on from 9 to 5 everyday, but our water is under a boil alert.

That’s sort of funny. since we have no way to heat it.

At this point we have no idea how long our store will be closed or what the long-term ramifications will be.

My main concern is the total lack of security at our store. Peace officers from all over the state are on constant patrol, so all I can do is pray.

This is the most physically and emotionally taxing thing I’ve ever been through. Yet the amount of support coming from all over the country touches my heart. Caravans are arriving constantly, with volunteers wanting to help with cleanup. Hot food, ice, and water is available on almost every major intersection or parking lot in town, and no one will let you pay a dime or even make a donation.

My heart is full, but I cry several times a day. I made major headway on cleanup at Victoria’s yesterday.

Today was my first access to the internet in days, so I’m filing insurance claims for all our properties. We have generators and fans to cool us down at night, and we are getting a large one today that will take care of running our house, so we will have lights and air conditioning.

So many of my friends, customers, and acquaintences lost so much more than we did, so even in all the chaos we feel truly blessed.

Thanks be to God!

FAMILY. DIVIDEND. SUPPORT. BUYING POWER.

MILESTONES

Bennett Johnson, son of William and Sondra Johnson of Madison Avenue Jewelry & Gifts in Hartsville, SC, passed away on Sunday, July 16. He was 14.

Our thoughts go out to the Johnson family.

CALENDAR September 2017

October 2017

4 Labor Day—RJO Office closed

9 Columbus Day—no mail service

11 All payments must be received in RJO Office

- Vendor Registration opens for Savannah Show

10 Grandparent's Day

22 All invoices must be received in RJO Office

10 - All payments must be received in RJO Office 16 National Boss's Day

23 All invoices must be received in RJO Office

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