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Stuller Brings Jewelers Together for Bench Jeweler Workshop 

Reading Time: 3 minutes Key takeaways • Stuller hosted the 2026 Bench Jeweler Workshop in Lafayette, Louisiana, providing hands-on education and live demonstrations for jewelry professionals. • The event featured the Battle of the Benches® live competition, where winners were recognized in categories such as Ring Repair, CAD Design, and Parts & Pieces. • Founded in 1970, Stuller continues to support the industry as a prime manufacturer of jewelry, tools, and digital solutions for professionals worldwide. (LAFAYETTE, LA) – Stuller welcomed jewelers from across the U.S. and beyond to its Lafayette headquarters for the 2026 Bench Jeweler Workshop, a two-day event focused on education, live demonstrations, and meaningful industry connections.  Designed for bench jewelers at every stage of their careers, the annual workshop offered hands-on learning, skill-building, and opportunities to connect with others across the industry.  “Having the opp...

Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Erotic 38mm

Reading Time: 6 minutes Key takeaways • Nivada Grenchen has launched the Antarctic Erotic 38mm, featuring a discreet animated penguin caseback mechanism driven by the watch’s winding action. • The project combines horological tradition with modern conservation, as a portion of the project budget is dedicated to supporting penguin protection in Antarctica. • The watch is available for a time-limited pre-order starting April 30th, with pricing from $1,569 and varying order windows based on the dial version. Built on the classic Antarctic 38mm, the Antarctic Erotic introduces two key updates: a new set of dial executions, and a playful animated caseback revealed while winding, a discreet “after-hours” Easter egg reserved for the owner—a serious daily watch with a mischievous secret. Beyond the wink, this project also supports real penguin conservation efforts, a natural extension of the Antarctic story. Campaign & Reveal The launch was preceded by t...

Using Curiosity to Close the Sale

Reading Time: 8 minutes Key Takeaways: • Curiosity helps sales teams build trust by redirecting technical questions toward the emotional reasons behind a purchase, such as a proposal plan. • Deep inventory knowledge, including the stories behind specific lines, allows sales staff to match products to guest needs more effectively and confidently. • Embracing curiosity regarding new technologies and business practices helps teams distinguish between valuable innovations and temporary fads without judgment. While the old saying is that “curiosity killed the cat,” we know that’s not always true! After all, curiosity has carried sailors across seas, explorers across new worlds, and astronauts into space. Curiosity, some would argue, is the most human trait there is. And because curiosity is so human, it helps us connect with others. It can even be a superpower for sales teams if they know how to use it effectively. In jewelry sales, it’s often guests who ask most of t...

How to Influence Your Customers (So They Actually Want to Spend)

Reading Time: 6 minutes Key Takeaways: • Retailers should interrupt the “”autopilot”” mode of customers by using striking displays and warm welcomes to slow their pace and increase time spent in-store. • Encouraging physical interaction with products through “”touch and try”” moments creates a sense of ownership and significantly boosts the likelihood of a sale. • Building value involves educating customers on unique product stories and rewarding repeat visits with emotional recognition rather than just transactional discounts. Here’s a truth most retailers don’t talk about: your customers don’t really know how to shop in your store. They walk in with a vague idea of what they want, get a little overwhelmed, and either buy something random or leave empty-handed. The good news? You can change that. By gently shaping how customers behave in your store, you can create an experience that feels great for them an...

The Plumb Club Webinar Offers Retailers Essential Learning on Design, Sourcing, and Retail Trends

Reading Time: 5 minutes Key takeaways • The Plumb Club and Platinum Guild International (PGI) will host a free virtual webinar on May 14 at 1 pm EST for the jewelry industry. • A panel of industry veterans will discuss how emerging design, responsible sourcing, and retail trends are creating new momentum for platinum jewelry. • The event is designed to provide retailers with practical insights and storytelling strategies to differentiate their businesses and prepare for upcoming trade shows. (NEW  YORK) – The Plumb Club is pleased to present a retail-learning opportunity provided by Platinum Guild International, USA (PGI). The virtual event will take place on Thursday, May 14, at 1 pm EST and is free and open to the entire jewelry industry using the registration link noted below.  With every shift of consumer desire or the retail landscape, new opportunities present themselves for the savvy retailers who are watching and reacting. Join Kevin Reilly, senior vice president...

Baguette

Reading Time: 5 minutes What Baguette Means In jewelry, the term Baguette refers to a rectangular gemstone cut with straight edges and step-like facets. When you look at a Baguette cut stone, you see long lines, sharp corners, and a clean, simple shape. The name comes from the French word for a long, narrow loaf of bread. The shape is similar. It is straight, elongated, and structured. In simple terms, a Baguette cut is a slim rectangle with a calm, refined appearance. Shape and Outline A Baguette cut gemstone is usually rectangular. The sides are straight and parallel. The corners may be sharp or slightly trimmed, depending on the design. Unlike square cuts such as Princess or Asscher, the Baguette cut stretches lengthwise. Its long shape makes it appear elegant and understated. Long lines give it a quiet confidence. Step Facets Explained Baguette cut stones use step facets. These facets are long and rectangular. They run parallel to the edges of the stone. If you pictur...

The GEMORO division of SY KESSLER of Dallas, TX, in partnership with Viking

Reading Time: 3 minutes Key takeaways • GEMORO, in partnership with Viking Motorsports, sponsored Parker Retzlaff and the No. 99 NASCAR in the Kansas Lottery 300 on April 18th. • The sponsorship highlights the American-made GEMORO XRF Gold & Precious Metal Analyzer, a leading handheld spectrometer for the jewelry and pawn industries. • GEMORO is a global leader in professional jewelry testing, cleaning, gemological, and weighing instruments. Motorsports will have its GEMORO NASCAR #99 and driver, Parker Retzlaff, participating in Kansas City on April 18th at 6:00 PM CT in the KANSAS LOTTERY 300!   GEMORO is the world-renowned leader in innovative jewelry testing, cleaning, gemological, and weighing instruments for professionals. At the race, the company will be highlighting its go-to product, the American-made GEMORO XRF Gold & Precious Metal Analyzer. The GEMORO XRF is the jewelry industry’s leading handheld XRF Spectrometer with a Silicon Drift Detector ...