As part of fulfilling its mission statement of helping to shape the jewelry industry, The Plumb Club announced that it will share the wealth of knowledge, experience and insights, contained in its membership with the jewelry industry at large. Plumb Club Members were asked to develop topics that are of interest and relevance to jewelry retailers today, based upon their own unique skill sets and expertise. With the success of The Plumb Club podcast series, these opportunities to learn from some of the best minds in the industry will be delivered via podcast recorded directly by the member.

“The brain trust contained within our membership is astounding”, said Michael O’Connor marketing director for The Plumb Club. “Our members are some of the most intelligent, respected and well-known people in the industry. Therefore, we decided to highlight their immense knowledge and insight to help retailers.”

The first two member podcasts are available for download as of August 3.

Responsible Practices As A Company Strategy:
Marketing leader Mark Hanna showcases how companies who demonstrate responsible practices have a competitive advantage - specifically with Gen Z and Millennial consumers. He provides consumer research statistics that point out the importance of “purposeful and responsible” consumption, illustrating how this can be an effective company strategy. Mark Hanna is the Chief Marketing Officer of The Richline Group, A Berkshire Hathaway company, the foremost manufacturer and marketer of precious metals and materials and Plumb Club member.

Focus On A New Clean: Tips to Clean, Engage and Grow Revenue:
Kristie Nicolosi helps listeners understand the differences between cleaning and disinfecting. She provides great ideas on why and how stores should talk to customers about jewelry care and gives consumer insights on why a customer wants to buy jewelry care and cleaning products from their jewelry retailer. Kristie Nicolosi is the CEO of The Kingswood Company, a Plumb Club member and the leading innovator of high-quality, private-label jewelry care products.

The Plumb Club podcasts, which are added monthly, provide strategies, knowledge and immediately actionable steps that will help retailers across a variety of business areas.

The newest podcasts, as well as the previous ones, are available on The Plumb Club website under the “Resources” tab: plumbclub.com/resources.


About The Plumb Club
Founded in 1983 by a small group of distinguished manufacturers as a social club, The Plumb Club has evolved into one of the jewelry industry's leading supplier organizations. The Plumb Club is a unique coalition of leading and important suppliers spanning all facets of the jewelry, diamond and watch industries. The Plumb Club is an organization of suppliers whose purpose is to connect its members and their customers and help shape the future of the jewelry industry. The Plumb Club is a responsible supply side organization recognized for leadership, adding value, and positively impacting the jewelry industry. For more information, please visit www.plumbclub.com.

The American Gem Society (AGS) is seeking professionals in the AGS community to participate in an extraordinary program designed to foster their professional growth and personal development, The AGS Mentoring Program.

The program provides an opportunity for experienced members of the AGS to give back and assist in the professional development of other members. Mentors are presidents and CEOs of some of the industry's top businesses, such as Forevermark, Hearts On Fire, OMI, and Gumuchian to name a few. The program gives those being mentored the chance to build their professional network, define career goals, and overcome obstacles in obtaining those goals.

"The mentoring program has been one of the most personally beneficial programs that the Young Titleholder's offer," said Sarah Nanasi-Russell, chair of the Young Titleholders Committee. "I have expanded my network, received hyper-specific career advice, and gained access to events and programs I wouldn't have had otherwise. The caliber of our mentors is top-notch, including executives from the most well-known and respected companies within the AGS community. I highly recommend applying to be a mentee today!"

“Mentors assist in developing career and personal goals with a focus outside perspective,” said Jeremy Chalchinsky, chair of the Membership and Mentoring Program Subcommittee. “The successful industry professionals we have as mentors offer invaluable advice and guidance developed over an entire career. AGS is happy to offer this program, and I hope members will take advantage of this opportunity to improve and grow.”

As every mentoring relationship is unique and may take on different forms, the AGS has created resources to help guide participants through the process. Mentors are selected based on the ability to match with a mentee that is looking to acquire the skills or aptitude that the members have to offer.

AGS members who would like to learn more about the Society’s mentoring program, or who would like to apply either as a mentor or mentee, should visit americangemsociety.org/mentorprogram.

Space is limited for both mentors and mentees.

About the American Gem Society
The American Gem Society, founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley, is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to proven ethics, knowledge, and consumer protection within the jewelry industry. The American Gem Society is a professional organization awarding credentials for its members, who are held to the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry and must pass annual recertification examinations to maintain their titles. Less than one in twenty jewelers in the country have chosen to meet the exacting standards necessary for membership. For more information, please visit www.americangemsociety.org.