Find out which one is yours!
If you’ve ever wondered what your birthstone is, or if you’re looking for a special gift to give your loved ones on their birthdays, then this guide is for you.
Birthstones are precious gems that are assigned to the 12 months, each one carrying a special trait and meaning. It is said that wearing your birthstone brings you good luck and protection, and that’s why it can be found as an adornment in plenty of jewelry pieces.
Curious to know which one’s yours? Read on to find out.
January: Garnet
This precious stone has been used since ancient times, specifically in Egypt, where artifacts from the time were found to have the gemstone embellished on them. It is also recognized for its similarity to the shape and color of pomegranate seeds.
The stone symbolizes safety and is commonly worn during long travels for the wearer’s protection.
February: Amethyst
Amethyst, with its purple hue, gives off an elegant and royal vibe. Interestingly, the Ancient Romans and Greeks believed that it protects its wearers from intoxication. In fact, its name comes from the Greek word “amethystos” which means “sober.” Nowadays, though, it’s a symbol of courage and strength.
March: Aquamarine
This is the perfect gift for beach lovers as aquamarine has always been associated with the ocean. Sailors even bring it with them on their voyages, keeping them under pillows at night to keep them away from harm while sailing. This makes for an excellent going-away present to your jet-setting friends.
April: Diamond
Known as the hardest natural substance on the planet, diamonds are known as the ultimate status symbols. It also symbolizes everlasting love, which makes it the perfect choice for engagement rings.
May: Emerald
With its lush shade of green, emerald symbolizes freshness, rebirth, and fertility. It is, however, prone to cracks, so wearers are advised to be careful to avoid scratches and surface impacts as much as possible.
June: Alexandrite
Now here’s a stone with a royal connection – Russian royals, to be exact. It was named for Russia’s Prince Alexander II after it was first discovered on the day of his birthday in 1830. It is also believed that finding one is a good omen.
July: Ruby
Known as the king of gems, it was believed to protect its wearer from evil spirits and misfortune. Nowadays, it is more associated with love, passion, and bravery. Its value increases the deeper in color it gets, with the most valuable ones called “pigeon blood” for its deep, blood-like hue with blue undertones.
August: Peridot
Known as “evening emerald” for its light green color, this stone has fiery origins as it is the result of volcanic activity. There’s even a legend about it, which says that peridots were actually the tears of the volcanic goddess Pele from Hawaii. It is also believed that peridot wearers get protection from nightmares.
September: Sapphire
This mysterious stone is said to ward off evil spirits and protect its wearer from poisoning. Saphire also represents wisdom and purity, and legend has it that snakes die if incased in sapphire vessels.
October: Opal
Its name means “precious stone” in Latin and has come to symbolize faithfulness, confidence, and hope. They come in various colors and shades and are used to ward off evil.
November: Topaz
Like opal, topaz comes in a variety of shades and colors. However, its golden-brown variety is the one most people are familiar with. It is also associated with wisdom and is believed to give its wearers increased intellect.
December: Turquoise
This vibrant blue stone’s name comes from an old French word for Turkish. It was said that Venetian traders brought turquoise from Turkey and introduced them to the French. Long considered a love charm, it is the perfect gift for those looking to spice up their romantic lives.
Wasn’t that interesting? No matter which stone you choose, remember to pair it with top-notch jewelry cases and holders. Choose from our wide range of necklace display sets, ring boxes, bracelet holders, and more. We guarantee that you can find the perfect holder and protector in our store to match your jewelry.
Make it your goal to increase sales this year.
The goal of every brick and mortar business is to sell and do well, and that is achieved when there’s a constant influx of shoppers to your store.
Let us show you the tips and tricks to increase foot traffic to your jewelry shop.
Make the entrance as inviting as possible
Your first point of contact with customers is your storefront, so you have to make it welcoming and encouraging for them to come in.
Zero in on these elements to cover the bases:
We’ve already talked about doing a quick store makeover for the New Year, and we’re going to again emphasize the importance of fresh displays to attract customers. A well-designed window display is inviting and can be effective at converting mere passers-by to actual customers. But how does one create an inviting window display? By keeping things simple, elegant (very crucial to a jewelry business!), topical, and on-brand. Look to the changing seasons as design inspirations – now that the Christmas season has come and gone, there’s no reason for you to keep around your holiday decors, right?
You can also look to the latest fashion trends and pop culture favorites to inspire your window display.
Your advertisements should be clear to become enticing to potential customers. Don’t make them do guesswork as you might lose precious opportunity to convert them to actual paying customers.
A friendly face is always more welcomed than a scowling one, so tell your frontline staff (security guard, welcoming attendant) to always have a ready smile and cheerful greeting ready.
Don’t have a “sales-focused” mindset
You might be surprised to hear this advice on a sales article, but do hear us out first. When salespersons are too pushy about making a sale (too much hounding around the store, for example), people are inclined to feel turned off. Instead, ask your staff to keep a safe distance from the shoppers but always be on-hand if they have questions or need guidance. They might have a hard time understanding what colors go with which dress, or which qualities they must look out for when selecting jewelry so they must be the ready experts that they need.
Make browsing pleasant for your shoppers
A cluttered layout is likewise a turn off so if you need to rearrange stuff, then do so to help your business. If you need to update your jewelry display sets and jewelry holders, then so be it. Remember also to check your display cases if they are 42 inches in height for a comfortable viewing experience for your customers.
Tap technology to your advantage
Thank goodness we live at a time where you have tons of channels to use at your disposal. There’s social media where you can create brand pages for your store, which you can use to announce sales, promote new stocks, and interact with customers. You can also try out email marketing where you can send daily or weekly newsletters to regular customers about promos, contests, or events you’re currently running. You can also do it the old-fashioned way like running an ad in a newspaper, or TV and radio shows.
Welcome the new decade with fresh new insights to making your passion work for you.
Creators are lucky folks, most especially those that can earn from their passions. However, it is also often not an easy road to take: long hours, mounting orders, money issues, or perhaps a creativity block can make things difficult.
As entrepreneurs ourselves, we know this, and we want to help. So for now, relax, take a short break, and let us help you become a better jeweler this 2020 with this helpful article.
Remember the reasons why you started
If you need a little bit of boost or motivation on particularly tough days, it might help to trace back your steps to remind yourself of your purpose. Go back in time when you were only just dreaming about what you have now, and then try to recapture that feeling.
Often we get too busy with our work responsibilities that we find ourselves forgetting why we started in the first place. Reacquainting with your younger self may just be the spark you need to reignite your fire.
Set new goals
Once you’ve looked back to see how far you’ve come, it makes sense to wonder about what happens next. You can take hold of the future by setting new goals to propel your jewelry business forward.
Whatever you want to accomplish, for your business or personal life, a whole new set of goals is undoubtedly a good motivator.
Stay on track with lists and goal setting
Once you’ve decided on what you want to accomplish, your next goal of action is to keep track of them with lists. You can go old school and use a planner or diary, or use technology to your advantage with project management apps like Trello and Asana. You can even create a vision board, which is a more visual medium to keep you motivated and inspired while you work to accomplish your goals. Place it where you can easily see it so you can easily remember your goals and stay on track.
Figure out which works and what doesn’t with your creative process
As much as we always want to stay on top of things, sometimes inspiration is just hard to come by. Every creative has experienced this at one point or another, so don’t worry! Perhaps a little shake-up to your routine is needed, and this being the start of a new year makes it the perfect time to do so.
A few adjustments to your workspace can be beneficial to make sure you are at your optimum performance while creating jewelry. You have to make sure you’re getting proper lighting and ample support while you work as it could take a while, especially if you have a ton of orders.
Having the right tools will help you create your best crafts, so make sure they are all still working well and complete. When it comes to storage, you need to make sure you have the best holders at your disposal; if not, shopping for new jewelry display sets and cases is just a click away.
Don’t forget to relax and recharge
Working from home has its benefits, but it can also be isolating. If not dealt with correctly, it can often lead to concentration problems, loss of motivation, even depression. Make sure to take the time to decompress by taking a break from time to time. Go out and meet friends, do chores, explore other hobbies – just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you should forget about having a personal life! Short breaks here and there will help you stay healthy and inspired.
Welcome the new decade with ideas that will take your business up a notch.
The start of a new year is a time for new beginnings, which makes it an excellent time for upgrades and changes. Everyone is simply in the mood to better themselves, and as an entrepreneur, why not do the same for your precious merchandise?
Jumpstart 2020 by learning a few retail display tricks to boost sales for your store.
Make your retail display reflect your brand
If you haven’t gotten around to working on your store’s branding, the start of a new year is a good time to do so. It’s what sets you apart from your competitors; that quality, look or feel that makes you instantly recognizable from a sea of similar stores.
From your name down to the colors and typeface you use for your marketing materials, everything should be consistent and reflect a common theme. Likewise, your store’s brand should also be reflected in how you display your merchandise. Whether you’re going for an elegant look or a more eclectic one for your brand/store, your display showcase and setup should reflect this.
Invest in good signages
You must let the public know what you have to offer, and signages can do that for you. Make it a point to have indoor and outdoor signages and make sure they are of top-notch quality and relevant. You can choose from billboards, digital signages like those that use neon LED, or even an old school chalkboard will do. Again, you just have to make sure they are appropriate for the season (outdoor chalkboards are great during the spring and summer months, but no so much during winter) and are consistent with your brand.
Make adjustments to make browsing easier for customers
Think of this advice like feng shui for retailers – rearranging placements around the store may bring in good luck and great fortune because they bring in more sales to your business.
Upgrading your jewelry display cases, for example, can make a whole lot of difference if customers can browse comfortably. Check your glass display cases now, and see if they are 42 inches in height, which is just the right size for easy and comfortable browsing.
You can also create tableaus composed of special items you want to highlight to create more drama and interest to your merchandise.
Create “Instagrammable” nooks around your store
Spaces that invite people to take photos that are eventually posted on social media is a way to advertise your goods to a broader range of audience. This can be achieved with beautiful furniture, interesting signs, and colors that a well-executed and inviting. Don’t be afraid to experiment, but it’s best to consult an interior designer to make sure you do it right.
Take your jewelry collection to new heights this 2020.
Everyone makes resolutions every time a new year rolls around. Whether it’s for health reasons, personality development, or their career aspirations, the coming of a new year affords us opportunities to look and feel better – so why not set the same level of commitment to your beloved jewelry collection?
Here are some of our suggestions to help you start things off.
“I resolve to take care of my jewelry collection.”
More than serving as fashion and style statements, your jewelry collection is a form of investment, so it comes as no surprise that its proper care and maintenance is an essential task that every owner must take. If you haven’t done so in a while, take time to check your jewelry collection's condition. Make sure there are no missing clasps, hooks, or pieces; otherwise it might be time to schedule a cleaning and repair session with a jeweler.
Do check also that your jewelry holders are spic and span. If you haven’t cleaned them in a while, we have a few tips to help you do this task. Take inventory of your jewelry pieces and take note of those you regularly use and those you reserve for special occasions. For safety purposes, it’s best to keep those you rarely use stored away in jewelry boxes, compartments, and soft pouches. For those you use every day, a quick update of their necklace display stands and bracelet and earring holders may be in order.
Lastly, if you haven’t done so, get your most precious pieces insured for your peace of mind.
“I will explore more styles this year.”
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and colors. You have a whole year of celebrations and milestones to look forward to, so why not use them as opportunities to explore new designs.
To start off, you can take inspiration from 2020’s Color of the Year: Classic Blue.
“I will invest in classic pieces.”
It’s a great idea to invest in pieces that will remain in style in the years to come. These are the pieces that surpass trends because they are timeless and may take on family heirloom-status as the years go by. Diamonds are a safe bet, as well as gold and pearls.
Retail display tips to make it merry and bright this season.
Many retailers would say that their favorite time of the year is Christmastime – no surprise there as it is the season of gift-giving. To celebrate the winter holidays and as a way to attract more people into your store, now’s the best time to dress up your jewelry display collections and storefronts with timely themes and decors.
Go with colors associated with the season.
Red, gold, and green would always be the staple colors of the season, but you can also go for a more winter look with blue, silver, and white. You can then choose to highlight from your collection those that feature these colors, like gemstone earrings and necklaces.
Work around a theme and stick to it.
You can interpret the holidays in a hundred ways. You may choose to go with a more traditional route or a more modern one. You can highlight the personalities associated with the season like Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, or Frosty the Snowman. You can keep things minimal for a more subdued look. The bottom line is you can do whatever design you want if you think it is appropriate, you just have to be consistent with it all throughout your store.
Stumped for ideas? Let this article from Conde Nast Traveler be your guide.
Don’t overlook the small things.
The littlest details can make or break your theme, so make sure everything is in sync. From the storefront to the walls, to the glass cases and display counters, nothing should be left out.
Some design ideas you can try:
- Hang Christmas string lights around
- Put up a Christmas tree surrounded by “gifts” (empty boxes covered in gift wrappers)
- Christmas ornaments like balls or stockings can be added to display areas
You can even create a more festive atmosphere in your store by playing tunes fit for the holidays.
Be ready to DIY a few items.
Sometimes the decors sold at stores can’t match up to your vision, so you better be prepared to craft things on your own. Be ready for some woodworking, cutting, painting, and pasting to create the look you want. The hardware and art supply stores are excellent sources for the parts and materials you need to execute your design.
How to find success on the popular app.
Out of all the social media apps available these days, Instagram may be the one app that lends itself best to selling jewelry online. It is a visually-oriented space where users can share their photos and videos alike. It’s been the preferred platform for artists, travelers, and influencers for years now, so why shouldn’t you join in on the fun?
Follow our tips below and learn how you can leverage Instagram to grow your jewelry business.
Make sure you sign up for the business account.
Instagram is a fun and useful tool by itself, but if you want to harness it in growing your business, you better choose the right set up for your account. Unlike a regular personal account, an Instagram Business Account lets you tag items on your post that links directly to your online store. It also allows you to add essential information about your physical store (if you have one) like operation hours, location, and contact details.
Reach out and make connections.
Start building your follower count by reaching out to similar accounts. This could be other jewelry stores, fashion and lifestyle influencers, craft artists, etc. You can start by seeking them out and leaving a thoughtful comment or two on their posts.
Another way to make yourself discoverable is by using hashtags. These are clickable links that are centered around a theme and are an excellent means for people to discover your content. Relevant hashtags you could use are --- #jewellerydesign #jewellerylover #jewelleryoftheday #handmadewithlove #gemstones. Of course, you can also come up with some of your own, but make sure they are always relevant to your posts.
Keep your content fresh and updated.
Make sure you’re always on your followers’ timeline by having regular content. You’re not just limited to posting your merchandise. Keeping things varied and interesting will make you stand out and attractive to potential customers. One day you might post about your latest jewelry display sets, the next day you may post about a store promo, you can even run contests – you just have to make sure the look, colors, and language between each post is seamless and consistent.
Experiment with the app’s multimedia tools.
Over the years, the app has grown from just a photo uploading site to a fully-functional multimedia platform, so why not take advantage of Instagram’s many features? Stories let you capture and upload short clips or a live feed. It’s a great way, for example, to showcase your followers around your store or take them along with you at events.
Create beautiful images.
The app is still first and foremost made for sharing images, so you better make sure your photographs showcase the glitz and beauty of your merchandise. You don’t need to have expensive gadgets to photograph jewelry – all it takes is to have the right vision, people, and setups to create Instagram-worthy images.
Make sure your customers get your merchandise in good condition.
Thanks to the wonders of technology, people all over the world can simply shop for themselves and their friends online. A few keyboard strokes are all it takes to buy, and this is excellent news for entrepreneurs as it expands their businesses’ reach. This kind of convenience, though, creates some challenges for the business owner as it is of utmost importance that the goods bought must reach their buyers safe and sound. This is a must for every business, but most especially for those dealing with valuables like jewelry.
Let this article guide you into making sure your jewelry is safe and secure during transport.
Pack well.
To ensure the safety and security of your merchandise, make sure they are packed well. First, use individual holders like a necklace display holder or jewelry tray then place them inside appropriately-sized plastic bags. Next, add another layer of protection by using jewelry boxes or pouches, whichever is applicable. You may wrap this up in tissue before placing it in the actual shipping box. Additionally, you can stuff the shipping box with protective foam or bubble wrap for even more protection. Lastly, don’t forget to seal the shipping box.
Avoid indicating what’s inside the box.
Don’t make your package an easy target for thieves by using a plain box as possible – this is not the time to use your jewelry store’s branding anywhere on the box!
Choose reliable courier services.
Stay on the safe side by choosing courier services that are trusted and have long been in the business. Often these courier services would already have tracking systems in place and 24/7 customer service, which lets you rest easy and secure.
Require your receiver’s signature upon receipt.
Another reason you should go with well-known and reliable courier services? They would often require the receivers to sign off upon delivery.
Insure your package.
Life is unpredictable, and even if you have done all steps to ensure the safe delivery of your merchandise, accidents still occur. Ease your worries by insuring your jewelry to cover any untoward incidents that can happen.
Nifty retail display advice that every jeweler must follow.
What’s the secret to driving sales for your jewelry store? Aside from having great products to sell and excellent salesmanship, the key to a successful retail business is to have displays that attract customers. A well-planned out display brings out the beauty of your merchandise, which entices more people to make purchases.
This is a crucial step for every growing business, so take these tips to heart.
Treat your merchandise like the fine works of art that they are
Our first tip is to imagine your store as a museum. Normally you would find similar items would be grouped together, while a few would be separated to be designated as highlights of the museum’s collection. It helps to think of your store in the same way: you can set some key pieces of jewelry as your store’s highlights, while others would each have their own groupings around the store.
Create interest by playing around with balance
Now grouping similar items may sound boring but not when you experiment with the product placement. Displaying your merchandise on varying levels creates drama and contrast, which is much more pleasing to the eyes. It’s also a way to create centerpieces for particular items you want to push and highlight. You can easily achieve this with our wide selection of jewelry display sets, like our multiple T-bars and combination display sets.
Avoid clutter
Grouping similar items work when you take into account the spaces in between each merchandise. Try not to put too many things together, or else it would look cluttered. Always maintain negative space in between items.
Again, balance matters. You can combine different sizes as long as it is balanced. As for placement, create a natural flow for the eyes to follow (left to right).
Make sure everything is neat and in place
Do you have enough light to illuminate your merchandise? Make sure the light bounces off right and shows your products’ sparkle. Are your cases, glass, and jewelry displays free of dust and scratches? You can easily turn off a buyer for these lapses, so make sure everything is spic and span, and working as it should.
It all starts with knowing what your customer wants.
What does it take to close a sale? You don’t have to have extensive knowledge or long years of service to accomplish that. Often all it takes is a simple insight into consumers’ minds.
Learn the secrets and become better at selling jewelry (or any other product, for that matter) in no time.
Be approachable and attentive
It all begins by creating a positive experience for the customer. A hearty, sincere greeting and a ready smile will start things off in a positive mood. Always be prepared to answer questions and explain things if you need to.
Probe your customers
To close a sale, you must go beyond answering questions. Once you found yourself interacting with a potential buyer, asking the right questions back will help you discover what they need and provide them with recommendations that will fulfill that need. You can start by asking whether they are buying for themselves or for somebody else then start from there. From there, you can probe them even further regarding their purpose for shopping, design specifications, and others.
Create a conversation
The most successful sales transactions wouldn’t actually feel like one. Keeping things pleasant, interesting, and helpful will help you better to make a sale than coming off stern and formal.
Remember, it is a conversation, not an interrogation. Make sure your questions are open-ended, and always maintain a calm, friendly demeanor (“So you’re purchasing this for your fiance? Great! Cool! Can you tell me more about his style?”). Once they respond, remember to listen attentively and take note of their specifications, if any. That’s when you can make the appropriate recommendations, which help you get much closer to a successful sale.
Do something extra, if possible.
Customers appreciate a good value purchase and often that includes additional services. If your store can offer customization or shining services or promos like giving away jewelry display sets along with a jewelry purchase, then do so. That will establish you as a business that goes the extra mile to satisfy their customers.
