Article: 'Who's Your Jeweler? & How They Categorize You'
- Thread starter LaBoheme
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This is fascinating.
Thanks for posting.
It's not very surprising.
I think that the economy may be changing a lot of people from 'better thans' into bargain shoppers.
I buy very high end jewelry sometimes (22k gold, diamonds with AGS certs) and very low end sometimes. I have bought jewelry at Walmart before. The way I see it is, the jewelry in Walmart is the same as what you see in Kay's or the mall stores--I1 or I2 diamonds, 10k gold, sometimes 14k. It's not any kind of quality, but sometimes its sparkly and cute. And at Walmart, I know I didn't pay huge markup for it--I'm paying that an included diamond is actually worth.
I don't necessarily always want to buy the cheapest, but I don't want to pay more than something is WORTH.
Thanks for posting.
It's not very surprising.
I think that the economy may be changing a lot of people from 'better thans' into bargain shoppers.
I buy very high end jewelry sometimes (22k gold, diamonds with AGS certs) and very low end sometimes. I have bought jewelry at Walmart before. The way I see it is, the jewelry in Walmart is the same as what you see in Kay's or the mall stores--I1 or I2 diamonds, 10k gold, sometimes 14k. It's not any kind of quality, but sometimes its sparkly and cute. And at Walmart, I know I didn't pay huge markup for it--I'm paying that an included diamond is actually worth.
I don't necessarily always want to buy the cheapest, but I don't want to pay more than something is WORTH.
^^^ ITA!
Great article.
When it comes to jewelry, I'd say I'm a hybred of these.
Definately bargain to where I have a list of things I want. Whatever happens to be the best qualtiy at the best price is what I will buy. For example now is not the time to buy a big fat gold necklace. Wait on that till the price comes down.
I will not pay for designer name. And I don't want what others have. JMO - the independents tend to be more creative & since its not mass produced, I think its better quality for the money.
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I'm a jeweler and I own brick and mortars.
I don't much care for the article. I don't think it gives consumers enough credit, to be honest. Yes, we sell to some of the types above and we ecounter 'branders' and 'one-uppers'. But we deal with a different breed more often than not. The bulk of our clients don't come in blindly. They have researched, they know what they want, they have a certain budget in mind and they seek out independant jewelers to helpo them find or create the item they want at non-retail price. These are savvy consumers, smart buyers who know better than to toss their money away on junk and don't buy JUST for a label. They're eduated consumers.
My husband and our staff see a lot more of the 'savvy buyer' than the other types anyday.
People aren't al just blind sheep, purchasing whatever comes along. Most jewelry is a gift or a token to commemorate something like a wedding, graduation, anniversary- these are thoughtful gifts that take some planning.
Maybe we just are lucky to sell to a better group of people. But, again, we are independant operations, family owned and staffed only by GIA graduates. We are NOT a mall store and we don't carry national chain supplies.
I don't much care for the article. I don't think it gives consumers enough credit, to be honest. Yes, we sell to some of the types above and we ecounter 'branders' and 'one-uppers'. But we deal with a different breed more often than not. The bulk of our clients don't come in blindly. They have researched, they know what they want, they have a certain budget in mind and they seek out independant jewelers to helpo them find or create the item they want at non-retail price. These are savvy consumers, smart buyers who know better than to toss their money away on junk and don't buy JUST for a label. They're eduated consumers.
My husband and our staff see a lot more of the 'savvy buyer' than the other types anyday.
People aren't al just blind sheep, purchasing whatever comes along. Most jewelry is a gift or a token to commemorate something like a wedding, graduation, anniversary- these are thoughtful gifts that take some planning.
Maybe we just are lucky to sell to a better group of people. But, again, we are independant operations, family owned and staffed only by GIA graduates. We are NOT a mall store and we don't carry national chain supplies.
Mmmmm, where does the shopper who loves beauty and design come in? I don't see a category for that...
I guess I didn't really see the "aha!" in this article since I knew that most of these stores were owned by larger conglomerates. Admittedly, though, 99% of my jewelry is from an independent store that my parents have been going to for years, and my wedding set is from a wholesaler. Other than that, I have a few Tiffany items that were gifts.
I've had problems finding a few rings I wanted, so have visited a private jeweler. He is a master goldsmith in addition to being an artist, and has made me some very fine pieces of jewelry.
Since I'm the originator of the ideas, and he helps me by designing & creating each piece, I don't see his b&m store or me has a shopper fitting into any of the seller or buyer categories above.
Since I'm the originator of the ideas, and he helps me by designing & creating each piece, I don't see his b&m store or me has a shopper fitting into any of the seller or buyer categories above.
for me it is all about the design not only the big stones.
i have branded pieces by the very well known becaue for the pieces i bought and wanted they always could deliver!
but i also have a lot of pices of family owned stores that are famous(by winning design awards or being known for their quality and eye or their stones and so on ..) but only to people who are in the trade(and know) and those usually only have one or two locations
there maybe are people out there who fit in those roster above but i would say not me or any of my friends and like Gnome said i really think you have to cut the modern customer some slack - mostly they are more educated(in the sense of what they want what is quality) than you think
plus a lot more want something unique one of a kind (and not only haute joaillerie also specially made dainty rings by a local jeweller for example or basically all price ranges)
i have branded pieces by the very well known becaue for the pieces i bought and wanted they always could deliver!
but i also have a lot of pices of family owned stores that are famous(by winning design awards or being known for their quality and eye or their stones and so on ..) but only to people who are in the trade(and know) and those usually only have one or two locations
there maybe are people out there who fit in those roster above but i would say not me or any of my friends and like Gnome said i really think you have to cut the modern customer some slack - mostly they are more educated(in the sense of what they want what is quality) than you think
plus a lot more want something unique one of a kind (and not only haute joaillerie also specially made dainty rings by a local jeweller for example or basically all price ranges)
No, that wasn't really my point. There are mainline retailers that have beautifully and wittily designed jewelry. These categories do reflect brands like Yurman, but there's no fit for an Annette Ferdinandsen or Devon Page McCleary or Sydney Evan at Barneys or Ylang23 or Neiman Marcus.
