Today is a Memorial Day like no other before, and hopefully like no other we’ll ever see again. As we honor the men and women who served in our military and made the ultimate sacrifice so we all could live in peace, we’d like to honor our healthcare and first responders, many of whom have also made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and well. Unfortunately, that battle continues. Let’s please all do our part to help bring this pandemic to an end sooner than later.
Welcome again to GCAL’s next installment of links to articles, webinars, and podcasts aimed at helping us all continue to cope with this pandemic crisis, while providing critically important insights to help us maximize productivity as many or most of us return to work..
The message in the previous couple of installments focused your attention on the two subjects so many of us are hearing, reading and thinking about: (1) the increased importance of ecommerce, with retailers more aggressively selling off your websites to allow consumers to purchase in the comfort and security of their homes… and (2) consumers’ (and retailers’) growing expectations of truth and honesty in what is in fact becoming the new normal. We talked about GCAL’s exclusive products and services (i.e. not offered by any other labs in the world) that provide consumers with all the info they need to make meaningful, educated decisions on purchasing the right diamonds or diamond jewelry. And we talked about why GCAL can prove we provide the most accurate, consistent and reliable grading in the world.
Today, we’d like to quickly list those exclusive features of our Guaranteed, Money-Backed Certificates (NOT reports). For retailers, they can change the way your stores represent your diamonds; and for suppliers, they can focus attention on why your diamonds truly are special. (1) no other lab in the world… none… stand behind their work with a guarantee… (2) Gemprint® – the world’s leading identification technology… (3) photomicrographs of the actual diamonds (not generic photos)… (4) directly assessed, actual light performance and Hearts & Arrows… (5) proportionally accurate, to-scale diagrams… (6) the best 360 Videos in the industry and (7) the worlds only ISO 17025 Forensic Accredited Gems Laboratory. And we do all this at competitive turnaround times and pricing.
We believe the global diamond and jewelry industry will be facing a more discerning consumer than ever before. Where accuracy really does matter. We know many retailers are shipped pre-certified diamonds. But we also know most of your suppliers will be happy to certify their diamonds with the lab of your choice. So we’re asking for a very big favor: REQUEST GCAL! Your store brand, your reputation, and your customers will benefit… in a very big way.
Thank goodness many of you are back to work, and many more will follow soon. All of us at GCAL are chompin’ at the bit to help our retail, manufacturing and wholesale partners bring your businesses back to where they should be.
With continuing heartfelt sympathy to any of you who have lost a loved one… with hope for a speedy recovery to those who are ill… please stay safe and be well. We look forward to seeing you and working with you all again soon.
Sincerely,
Don, Pam, & Angelo Palmieri, Steve Feldman, & The GCAL Team
See an example of the GCAL Certificate with Hearts & Arrows and 360 Video (Link)
See an example of the GCAL Lab Grown Certificate with Hearts & Arrows and 360 Video (Link)
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YOUR BUSINESS
CHECK OUT THESE ARTICLES…
Back to Work: A
dvance, Retreat, Adapt—and repeat as necessary.
-Bain & Co.
PPP Loan Forgiveness Timeline May Be Extended
-Forbes
Proposed PPP Legislation would allow for Loan Proceeds to be used for PPE and Reopening Expenses like Sneeze Guards
-CNBC
Elevating customer experience excellence in the next normal
-McKinsey & Co.
Facebook launches Shops to bring more businesses online during the pandemic
-The Verge
Covid-19 Gives Sustainability a Dress Rehearsal
-Bain & Co.
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THE INDUSTRY
CHECK OUT THESE ARTICLES…
Surat Diamond-Cutting Sector Reopens
– Rapaport
Why the U.S. Reopening Is Looking Choppy—and What to Do About It
– JCK by Rob Bates
MVI Survey Shows a Mother’s Day Demand for Jewelry
– National Jeweler by Ashley Davis
The Need to Change
– IDEX by John Jeffay
Now Is The Time to Engage Consumers With Diamonds
– Cenurion by Russell Shor
More Than Half of Jewelers Say They Are Open for Business Now
– InStore by Eileen McClelland
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WEBINARS
CHECK OUT THESE SEMINARS…
May 26-28
The Jewelers of America Virtual National Convention
– hosted by Jewelers of America
Jewelers of America’s Virtual National Convention unites Jewelers of America members for three days of impactful presentations and discussion that look to the future of the jewelry retail marketplace.
May 26 at 11 am EST
The Luxury Market in the Covid-19 Era
– hosted by Rapaport
Join Sally Morrison of De Beers and Rapaport Senior Analyst, Avi Krawitz, as they consider prospects for diamantaires and suppliers of fine jewelry in the post-coronavirus era. Will sourcing change along with selling? What are consumers thinking and what are the new selling points and marketing channels for diamonds and fine jewelry at this time?
May 26 at 1 pm EST
The NEW Retail Forecast: Back in Business
– hosted by MJSA
The future of retail has been a big discussion for years, driven by changes caused by the way digital selling channels changed commerce and consumer expectations. These changes will likely accelerate after the experience of COVID-19. Andrea Hill will share the latest retail market analysis and discuss the expected impact with a panel of experts:
May 27 at 2 pm EST
You’re Reopening: Make It Safe / Make the Sale
– hosted by The Plumb Club and JVC
The retail situation is changing at a rapid rate right now! As retailers are reopening, or planning to reopen, they face many new unforeseen liabilities and challenges in the “new normal”. The Plumb Club will host this timely and much-needed webinar to help retailers understand and plan for the issues that they will face as they get their businesses back on track.
May 28 at 1 pm EST
Let’s Talk about Money
– hosted by MJSA
Managing cash flow, finding new revenue streams, accessing credit and balancing investments versus cutbacks… Right now, businesses across the country are facing financial challenges unlike any they’ve seen in years (possibly in lifetimes). Andrea Hill will host a panel of experts—Erich Jacobs, president of the Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT) and Ann Arnold, chief strategy officer for BIG (Buyers Intelligence Group) and chair of JBT—to discuss the key financial issues that every business, large and small, must address to survive.
May 29 at 7 am EST
Innovation in Turbulent Times
– hosted by De Beers Group
To join, you must register by Wednesday, May 27th
Username: debeerspublic
Password: publicEvents!2020
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PODCASTS
CHECK OUT THESE LISTENS…
Interview with De Beers Group CEO, Bruce Cleaver
-JCK
In this edition of The Jewelry District you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates conduct their first intercontinental podcast as they interview Bruce Cleaver, chief executive officer of the De Beers Group. You’ll hear them discuss what’s going on in the diamond industry, including production, supply and demand, and sustainability.
Mind Blowing Success Stories to Inspire You
– Thrive by Design
What’s the most important tool to set yourself up for success? A good support network. Here at the Flourish and Thrive Academy, we aim to create antifragile businesses that can survive anything. Robin Kramer is my dear friend and co-founder. As an expert on wholesale and client relationships, Robin has been overjoyed to see all the creative solutions you have been coming up within the #ThriveTribe! The best quality of any creative entrepreneur is resourcefulness, and our community seems to have an endless supply. Even better, these success stories seem to have a lot in common…
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TRAINING
CHECK OUT OUR EDUCATION…
Selling with GCAL
-GCAL Team
Energize your staff to close more sales with the help of GCAL’s many differentiating features. Learn how to skillfully answer questions to turn prospects into buyers. Email us to schedule a time.
Gemprint – Protection and Profit Center
– Gemprint Team
Gemprint’s rapid and secure fingerprinting system for diamonds is used by every level of our industry to protect diamond assets. Learn how Gemprint technology can be implemented in your business to do everything from streamline inventory control to identify returned diamonds, to give you discounts on jewelers block insurance to provide a profit center.
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