When you choose a piece of jewelry to buy or design, you want to know that it’s made with care. Choosing a jeweler that you can trust will guarantee that the piece is high-quality and represents your personal taste. A good jeweler can guide you through the process of designing and creating a one-of-a-kind piece that will serve as a symbol of your style for years to come.
Jewelers retail is a diverse industry with many different specialties and approaches to customer service. Regardless of how you approach your business, a strong understanding of your customer base and an effective strategy for delivering value are essential. Jewelers can specialize in engagement rings, bridal jewelry, fashion and casual jewelry, or even create custom pieces. Some jewelers may also offer repairs, appraisals and cleaning services.
Whether they work in jewelry stores, mall kiosks or online, jewelers need to provide quality service to their customers. They often have to interact with clients on a regular basis, either discussing their custom designs or helping them select the right jewelry for them. Customer service skills are important, as are a deep knowledge of gemstones and precious metals to ensure accurate information for customers.
Some jewelers work in management roles and are responsible for a specific store or chain of stores. These professionals must have extensive experience in merchandising and sales. They may also be required to travel extensively for trade shows and fairs, spending time away from home. The best candidates have a bachelor’s degree in marketing or finance and previous retail or sales experience.
A successful career as a jeweler can lead to ownership of a retail store or independent shop. A jeweler who is able to develop relationships with local suppliers and manufacturers can often negotiate lower prices on products and materials. Some jewelers choose to focus on a specific product category or client base and communicate that clearly through their branding, in-store experiences and customer service.
A savvy jewelry retailer can use a virtual inventory system to expand their selection of jewelry and to increase the overall reach of their business. The system allows jewelers to share their products with an expanded customer base, while mitigating the risk of carrying excess inventory. This is a smart way to improve profitability and customer satisfaction without sacrificing the quality of the products offered to shoppers.
