JCK magazine is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year! To commemorate that milestone, we’re talking to 150 veteran jewelry professionals in 2019 for a feature series meant to distill the voices of some of the industry’s most enduring and successful professionals.
We can’t print every interview in its entirety in the magazine—so we’ve been posting full interviews here on JCKonline.com every Thursday.
This week we hear from Sarin Bachmann, event vice president of the JCK, Luxury, and Swiss Watch shows for Reed Jewelry Group. (Reed is the parent company of JCK magazine.)
JCK: How long have you been in the jewelry industry, and how has it changed since you joined?
Sarin Bachmann: I started in the jewelry industry back in 2003 as event director of the Luxury by JCK show. From the day I started at Reed I had my eye on the jewelry shows and knew this would be the perfect fit for me. I’ve had a love of jewelry since before I was old enough to talk. I’m one of those who wanted (and was lucky enough to have) a piece of jewelry to mark every special occasion in my life. From the day I was born to my bat mitzvah, leaving for college, milestone birthdays, engagement and wedding, the birth of each child, and everything in between.
I wore jewelry from my grandmother when I walked down the aisle. Since she couldn’t be there with me, I knew in that way she was there. Even fun smaller pieces gathered on vacations, trips or gifts I received for Mother’s Day or Valentine’s. Each piece had meaning and wonderful memories attached to them. I was beyond excited to be able to combine my love of jewelry with my passion for the event business when I took over the Luxury show.
I then stepped away from the industry for a few years, when my kids were younger and all the travel was too difficult, and worked on a startup retail business in the high-end home decor space. During those years I stayed in touch with many industry friends and colleagues and, of course, continued to read JCK magazine to stay on top of all of the industry news—it helped me feel like I never left.
I was thrilled to return to the industry in my same role running Luxury again in 2015 and now taking over the JCK show as well. My heart has always remained with this industry. One of the things I love most about it is the people and the passion everyone has for what they do. [There are] so many family-owned businesses passed down from generation to generation, and so many people who—although they may change jobs within the industry—could never imaging leaving it.
When I came back after those years, there were so many familiar faces. Almost everyone stayed in the industry, even if they moved on to different jobs. Although the technology and trends change over the years, I love that the people and the passion for what we do has remained unchanged. JCK magazine being around 150 years—that just says it all!
What has JCK magazine meant to you?
JCK magazine was the reason the JCK trade shows came to be, so of course it has deep meaning for me. I love seeing the pages of the magazine come to life at our shows and the symbiotic relationship of all the beautiful jewelry, products, and breaking news and trends announced at the shows then reflected back in the magazine.
[Even more] meaningful for me are…the people. From back in the days of [former JCK-ers] Frank Dallahan and Hedda Schupak to our amazing team today led by Mark Smelzer, Victoria Gomelsky, Rob Bates, Melissa Rose Bernardo, and so many more that have touched this brand over the years. JCK is an amazing partner and beacon of integrity. I admire the “church and state” mentality that is kept between the magazine and the shows and the true unbiased reporting the JCK magazine editors have always maintained.
What was your first impression of JCK magazine, and how has it changed over the years?
JCK magazine sets the highest standard of excellence of any trade publication that I have ever seen. JCK magazine was my first—and to this day— best resource for staying on top of industry news, learning all about the people, products, trends, and research to stay ahead of how our industry is constantly evolving.
This is why it’s stood the test of time over the past 150 years. I love how the magazine stays true to its core values while being a leader and adapting to the times—and keeping on par with consumer fashion magazines.
Top: Sarin Bachmann (photo courtesy of Reed Jewelry Group)
Catch up on all of JCK‘s 150th interviews:
Dave Bonaparte, president and CEO of Jewelers of America
Ettagale Blauer, former JCK New York editor
Lee Siegelson, rare and collectible jewelry dealer and expert
Tamara and Amir Goldfiner, cofounders of Rahaminov Diamonds
Dallas Prince, founder of Dallas Prince Designs
Esther Fortunoff, president of Fortunoff Fine Jewelry
Terry Burman, former Signet chairman
Brandee Dallow, president and founder of Fine Girl Luxury Brand Building & Communications
Tom Chatham, CEO of Chatham Created Gems & Diamonds
Tom Heyman, partner, Oscar Heyman & Brothers
Duvall O’Steen, jewelry publicist, Luxury Brand Group
Pat Henneberry, founder and president of the Jewelry Coach
Marty Hurwitz, CEO of MVI Marketing
Hank B. Siegel, president of Hamilton Jewelers
Erica Courtney, jewelry designer
Robert Weldon, director of GIA’s Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center
Stuart Robertson, vice president of Gemworld
Bill Furman, longtime JCK magazine ad sales manager
Kathryn Kimmel, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of GIA
Katie Kinsella Murphy, owner of Kinney + Kinsella
Frank Dallahan, publisher, The Retailer Jeweler
Jen Cullen Williams, managing director of Luxury Brand Group
Sally Morrison, chief marketing officer of Lightbox
Susan M. Jacques, president and CEO of GIA
Marie Helene Morrow, president of Reinhold Jewelers
Jenny Luker, U.S. president of Platinum Guild International
Beth Gerstein, co-CEO of Brilliant Earth
Russell Shor, GIA senior industry analyst
Walter McTeigue, cofounder of McTeigue & McClelland
Caryl Capeci, president of Hearts On Fire
Eddie LeVian, CEO of Le Vian
Peggy Jo Donahue, freelance writer and former JCK editor-in-chief
Rebecca Moskal, jewelry marketing veteran
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