Leading up to the latest #socialjewels Twitter meet up this past Tuesday, I asked everyone to submit a question about an issue in the jewelry industry that they were passionate about.
Here are the questions that generated the most discussion:
“How is the jewelry industry going to market and sell jewelry to younger consumers?”—Barbara Mooty
@danielfford Q1: give them tools they need to make a decision on own w help given only when needed. earn trust “with” not “at” #socialjewels
— Daniel Gordon (@DanGordon) April 4, 2012
@danielfford If you treat them well–you have a chance at customer for life–but like friends–it doesn’t always work out… #socialjewels
— Peggy Jo Donahue (@peggyjodonahue) April 4, 2012
@danielfford followup: good customer service, quality pieces that last a lifetime, and timeless designs #socialjewels
— Brittany Siminitz (@JCKmarketplace) April 4, 2012
@JCKmarketplace @danielfford we’d agreed!! Might start out with just needing a battery but customer svc brings them back time after time.
— Craig’s Fine Jewelry (@CraigsGirls) April 4, 2012
Treat the whole family well & kids will return. My wedding ring came from my jeweler in Mich, even tho I lived in NY. #socialjewels
— Melissa Bernardo (@mrbplus) April 4, 2012
“Are celebrity endorsements as effective as they used to be for endorsing jewelry products?”—Dan Gordon
@danielfford @DanGordon Celebrities have a very loyal following and will always be effective endorsers #socialjewels
— Julia Champagne (@jubaby62) April 4, 2012
#socialjewels @DanGordon @danielfford — in the end, emotion drives sales–and celebrities make us feel something–so they work.
— Peggy Jo Donahue (@peggyjodonahue) April 4, 2012
A2: The more organic the celeb endorses the piece the better. People want real today, not just a PR full court press. #socialjewels
— Daniel Ford (@danielfford) April 4, 2012
“Can diamonds be really be sourced responsibly?” Peggy Jo Donahue
@danielfford Diamonds benefit most workers at big mines–it’s the little itinerant guys (15% of total) hurting – @DDI_Intl working to help
— Peggy Jo Donahue (@peggyjodonahue) April 4, 2012
@DanGordon @jubaby62 @danielfford @peggyjodonahue A lot of Chinese factories that manufacture jewelry not much better, sorry to say.
— Robbates (@robbatesjck) April 4, 2012
@DanGordon @jubaby62 @danielfford @peggyjodonahue Ppl are more willing to give up bling than Iphones, so these issues more impt 4 our biz
— Robbates (@robbatesjck) April 4, 2012
@peggyjodonahue@robbatesjck@danielfford@DDI_Intl why not help everyday people get rid of old diamonds/memories by paying them fairly?
— Ron Samuelson (@ronsamuelson) April 4, 2012
@DanGordon @JCKmarketplace Diamonds also have unique amount of baggage, because of the cartel history, perception ppl r “forced” 2 buy them
— Robbates (@robbatesjck) April 4, 2012
One more comment on why giving jewelry still matters:
#socialjewels Quoting a wise @StullerInc associate, as long as there is love, lust, and guilt, there will be a #jewelry industry
— Julia Champagne (@jubaby62) April 4, 2012
For more insights, follow @WendyBrandes @MSchechter @peggyjodonahue @KeturahJeweler @DanGordon @BarbaraMooty @jckmarketplace @FocusBMI @BPalumbo21 on Twitter or search for #socialjewels.
Join us next Tuesday at 9 p.m. for more discussion. You can send questions you want answered to dford@jckonline.com or tweet @danielfford.
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