loupeinside

in the loupeO c t o b e r 2 0 1 2 • I S S U E X L V I

• Decorating

• Marketing Matters: Focus, Focus, Focus

• New Feature: Meet the RJO Staff

The Ultimate Jeweler Resource

in the loupeHitting all the right notes in 2013!

It’s less than 100 days until our Spring Buying Showin Phoenix, but what excitement! THE ShoppingSeason is soon going to be in full swing, family andfriends will be gathering for Thanksgiving,Christmas, and New Year’s will follow, and we’lleven have an inauguration. Wow!

After you kick off your shoes, kick back and relaxa bit, RJO will get you ready to “Rock &Restock” at the end of January. We’re returning tothe beautiful Hyatt Regency in downtownPhoenix, offering a terrific line-up of keynotes,seminars and work sessions, as well as the latestand greatest offerings from our vendors.

Inside this issue you’ll find a sneak peak of thebest show perks we’ve ever offered, and we’reproviding it so you can make your travel plansnow, before the sales rush starts.

Keep an eye on your mail for the ShowRegistration Packet that will be sent outbefore Thanksgiving. Registration Deadline isDecember 17 for Vendors and December 28for Jewelers.

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executive deskTHE EXECUTIVEdesk f rom Mar y Pete rson, CEO, RJO

Ilove to decorate my home for every holiday season! I haveFall items up the week before Labor Day, and myHalloween décor comes out as part of my birthday

celebration on September 16th. Now you need to know ... I have some really cool stuff, especially my fiber-optic ghostand the candy bowl that sounds like a witch cackling whenyou go to take candy from it. It’s not really so muchthe specific decorations I have that make decoratingso much fun, but rather changing up the space inwhich I live. It really does add a new spark andcreates enjoyment in my life.

The physical space in which you work and live ismore important than you may realize. Recently Ichanged my home office space. I did some majorpurging of old files and got furniture more conduciveto the room space. I feel like a whole new person, and nowmy productivity, energy and creativity has seen quite theboost. I had been putting it off for months with the age-oldexcuse, “I don’t have time to get this done.” No doubt I had toshake myself afterwards and say, “Why did I wait so long?”

When was the last time you looked at the physical space ofyour store or office? How many times have you put offmaking changes? You don’t have to spend a lot of money toadd some spark. Ask your staff – they are the best folks to askin searching for ideas to update your space. Taking time tobrainstorm ideas with them or even putting them in chargecould make a big difference.

Take some time to go through all of those random papers onyour desk, and get rid of what you don’t need. Take a look at

your old inventory ... maybe you can display it in a new, funway to try to move it along. Simple actions can make a bigdifference!

Recently I, along with other RJO stores, attended the StullerBridge Program. What an incredible experience of

rejuvenation and futuristic thinking.

Part of the program focused oncreating an overall buying experiencein your store. Spending timeevaluating our stores’ buyingexperience was very valuable. Wewere able to discuss not only thevisual displays and layout of stores,but scent marketing, auditorystimulation and physical touch ...

the art of decorating was taken to a whole new level.

Decorating really goes beyond the actual tangibles youmodify. It is all about your attitude in regards to change andhow often you challenge yourself against the status quo.

Sometimes I wonder if we should re-decorate ourselves bychanging some old habits and thoughts? Maybe we should allhang some new pictures in our minds or at least add somemagic dust to our thoughts.

RJO CEO

Decorating

When was the lasttime you lookedat the physicalspace of your

store or office?

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The RJO Board of Directors, Merchandise Review Committee, tenselect RJO stores, and members of RJO’s leadership team attendedthe Stuller Bridge Event in Lafayette, LA from October 15-17.Stuller’s conference for independent retail jeweler owners focuses onbecoming tomorrow’s jeweler. Attendees met with forerunners incustomization, sales merchandising and media, and collectivelyarrived at fresh approaches to excellence in service.Stuller recognizes how the jewelry industry is changing, and hasdesigned structured solutions that include new in-store sellingtechnologies, customization tools and expanded virtual inventory.

“Stores left equipped to make promising changes to how we dobusiness —to ensure growth and greater profitability,” said RJOCEO Mary Peterson. “We were all impressed with Stuller andStuller’s commitment to educating today’s jeweler for tomorrow’sconsumer.”

For members interested in attending the 2013 Stuller Bridge Eventwith the RJO group, please contact Sarah Streb atsarah@rjomembers.com.

Board of Directors leads RJO group to Stuller Bridge Event

See event photos on the bottom of page 6

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S E R V I C E S

Centralized BillingPatronage Dividend

RJO Website (rjomembers.com)Buying Shows (Fall/Spring)

RJO Chat ChannelIn the Loupe – RJO’s newsletterFree Print and Radio Ad Library

(on the RJO website)Educational Seminars (at the Buying Shows)

Member-to-Member IncentiveProgram (Recruitment Program)

Organized Buying Trips to Antwerp and Idar-Oberstein

RJO DirectoryPeer Performance ProgramTravel Vouchers at Shows (offered at varying times)

Free Hotel Room Incentive (at the Buying Shows)

RJO Informational E-mail Blasts Purchase Vouchers

(at the Buying Shows)RJO Membership Certificate

Education on the Go Podcastsand Webinars

Private Label Credit Card ServiceJewelConnect

Question: We are looking at renewing our lease. For the past 13 years we werepaying $19 per square foot (psf); now they are proposing $35 psf. I just cannotbelieve that they are serious. What is anyone else paying?

Response 1: More than 20 years ago, when we were in our mall, we paidabout $33 psf.

Response 2: Years ago I had seven stores in malls. At that time it variedbetween $40-$55 psf, plus six percent. I don't know about the rest of thecountry, but here in the Pacific Northwest I know jewelers that are on astraight five percent, or pay month-to-month at a reasonable rent in some ofthe same malls. I was paying $150,000 per year.

If $35 psf is still only five-seven percent of your gross, I would considerstaying. I've downsized to one store in a strip center about a mile from a mallthat we were in for 28 years, and my rent is about two percent of my gross.Advantages include short hours, no CAM fees, advertising costs, etc. The bigplus is we no longer sell the same merchandise that we—and most other malljewelers—sold.

I would stay if your store is profitable foryou, meaning you take well over $100,000in salary, otherwise move to a strip centeror free-standing store. You might even askthe mall for a month-to-month agreementfor a year so you can scout other locations.Good luck!

From the RJO Chat Room The Chat Room on the RJOwebsite (www.rjomembers.com) hosts a variety of interesting discussions eachmonth. Here’s an edited recent post—and responses to it—that can be found inthe RJO Jeweler Business area, under the heading “Mall Rent”

JewelConnect to launch 2.0 in PhoenixJewelConnect 2.0 is going to “really blowpeople away,” says Andrew Boundy,JewelConnect’s web developer and systemsmanager. “We are deeply integrating socialmedia, we have new great tools like the‘Gift Finder App,’ which helps peoplechoose gifts for friends, as well as somevery cool ‘Trending’ functions to show hotsellers and popular items,” he adds.

JewelConnect.com 2.0, the successful RJO-exclusive internet & mobile marketingsystem—used by more than 600 RJOretailers and many RJO vendors—is a totalredesign of the system, incorporating thebest new marketing technologies. Newsystems featured include the “JewelProfile”system, which creates and shares personaljewelry profiles, the “Trending” system,

and “fast-movers.” There’sthe retailer “Pin To” featureand a lot more—such asmobile apps!

Boundy and Thomas Roethling, Incom’sdata systems manager and developer, willbe presenting at the Phoenix Buying Showin January. Roethling says that RJOmembers can look out for the changespopping-up over the next several monthsand that they will make themselvesavailable throughout the Buying Show forany jeweler questions.

Remember to log-in to JewelConnect at:www.jewelconnect.com/for-jewelers and you canalways email any questions to:sales@jewelconnect.com.

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RJO has partnered with Global Reach, Oliant Solutions andIntegrity Data to develop a new RJO website. Work has beengoing on behind the scenes for much of this year, and migratingdata from the current site into the new one will begin shortly.

“We are so pleased with the progress and the significantimprovement this site will bring to members,” says RJO CEOMary Peterson. “Our current site was created last century, and thetechnologies available to improve the site’s usefulness are simplyamazing.”

Global Reach is finalizing the database tables and fields withIntegrity Data, and each will be making the necessary changes to

both systems. These changes will allow the new RJO site tosynchronize with the dynamics database and will support theonline billing integration effort to be completed and fullyintegrated with the new site. As an added benefit, RJO will have afully synchronized copy of the Dynamics database hosted inGlobal’s datacenter. This copy would help RJO in a disasterrecovery scenario, if ever needed.

The RJO management staff has been hard at work developing thecontent copy for the new website. Aside from putting togethertargeted content that will be used for the internal ‘members only’site, one of the primary goals of the new website is to market RJO,in a more public way. A larger focus was put towards developing agreat content framework that truly tells the RJO story and helpsperform better outreach to potential members and vendors.

Over the next few weeks, all of the content we have provided willbe pulled into the new site. Training also will be provided to theRJO staff on how to use the new content management system.Development work will also continue on integrating dynamics andonline billing system into the Global system.

“Once that is complete,”says Peterson, “we will begin to finalizeand implement all the new online forms, newsletters, and othernew tools and features that Global will be providing with the newsite.”

Testing will begin soon, and the new RJO site is scheduled to beavailable before the end of the year.

New RJO website should be “live” by end of year

As if touring Europe wasn’t specialenough,Tracey Bentley, of Bentley’s FineJewelry and Repair in Scottsbluff, NE,proposed to Katie Ewing in front of theCathedral in Antwerp; the date was October16th (photo below). Ewing had previously

picked out her own stone, thinking she wasselecting it for a good friend of hers.Reports are that it was a complete surpriseand that Katie said, “yes.”

According to trip coordinator ConnieMatsen, this year’s trip set a record, with14 first-time stores traveling. In total, thetwo RJO groups comprise about 80travelers. Both groups traveled in Germanyto the beautiful Wartburg Castle foundedin 1067AD in Eisenach, Germany, as wellas the Buchenwald Concentration Camp.

The RJO Antwerp/Idar-Oberstein family is growing Israel2013

RJO isinaugurating anew foreign trip, this time to Israeland beginning next year. The first

trip will run from Friday, October 18to Saturday, October 26 in 2013.

Members booking their trips beforeJanuary 2013 will receive an

additional two percent discount onall of their purchases while buying

on the trip.

For more information on the 2013Israel Buying Trip, please contact

the RJO office via phone 800-247-1774, or e-mail:

rjo@rjomembers.com

Save the Date: 2013Antwerp: Oct 5-10; Oct 12-17 ; Idar-Oberstein: Oct 10-14; Oct 17-21

first trip is hosted by Liz Schlauch & Jeff Horlacher; the second by Connie & Steve Matsen

Click here to see more European Trip photos

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Despite celebrating its 135th birthday this year, W.R. CobbCompany is far from showing its age. One of America’sleading manufacturers of jewelry findings, castings and

precious metals for the jewelry industry internationally, thecompany has embraced new technology and the internet to helpredefine a wide range of jewelry industry practices.

“We have never been more relevant to the industry than we havebeen the last three years,” says Roderick Lichtenfels, W.R. CobbCompany CEO. “We have incredible services and programs thathelp our retail partners affordably go to market. If retailers havenot looked at our products or services for the last few years weencourage them to look at us with new eyes and let us share what’snew and possible.”

Lichtenfels says the privately held, family-owned company got itsstart in 1877. Its global headquarters is in East Providence, RhodeIsland, with international offices in Hong Kong, Thailand, India,Vietnam and Canada. The Rhode Island headquarters features amodern 104,000-square foot, state-of-the-art manufacturingfacility.

“As a leading internet jewelry solutions company,” saysLichtenfels, “we provide regional, independent jewelers with apathway to internet success. Through W.R. Cobb Online, jewelerscan compete on the internet. Launched in 2004, W.R. Cobb’sPrecise White Gold is the industry’s only true white gold. PreciseWhite Gold has been one of the greatest innovations injewelry in the past 70 years.”

“Building on the momentum of superior products weoffer,” he continues, “W.R. Cobb introduced CobbBridal, an exclusive collection of wedding bands andengagement rings with more than 5,000 unique designoptions. Every day at W.R. Cobb, we leverage our depthof experience and the talent of our team ofmetallurgists and designers to ensure that we offer theindustry the finest line and the industry’s mostimportant innovation.”

“We have evolved over the last three years and havegrown to be a full-service marketing model that helpsretailers (independent and majors) achieve their owngo-to-market aspirations,” says Lichtenfels. “W.R. CobbOnline, our retail services division, offers programsranging from inventory management solutions, website/e-commerce software-as-a-service, diamond memoand diamond build-your-own jewelry solutions. These

solutions—white labeled as internet widgets—offer more than60,000 certified stones, social media education and managementservices, and pay-per-click advertising campaigns. Ourcompetencies and offerings to independent jewelry retailers havenot only gained tremendous recognition and traction in the jewelryindustry, but is also garnering attention as a best-in-class approachby other industries and associations.”

This past year W.R. Cobb Online received an American DesignAward by GD USA for its educational program entitled, “SocialMedia 101: How Jewelers can Engage and Interact MoreEffectively Online.”

This effort to lead industry innovations has made W.R. Cobb’srelationship with RJO that much more effective.

“RJO was founded by independent jewelers essentially looking, atthe time, to increase their buying power, which was the biggestoperating expense in their budget” says Lichtenfels. “W.R. CobbCompany also seeks to matter to independent jewelers (and theentire jewelry value chain), by bringing quality products andservices to the market. RJO Buying Shows give us anotheropportunity to have a fabulous touch point to understand the needsand desires of the independent jeweler.”

W.R. Cobb Company is located at 800 Waterman Avenue, East Providence, RI.Phone: 401-467-7400. Website: www.wrcobb.com

VENDOR spotlight W.R. Cobb Company: A Union of Tradition and Technology

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Stuller Bridge: Be Tomorrow’s JewelerOctober 15-17 • Lafayette, LA

By Laura Cave, The Knot Wedding Network

Editor’s Note: RJO welcomes The Knot as a new vendor. We arepleased to offer this article; it is an example of the quality ofinformation found on their popular web network.

Today’s brides and grooms are millennials, which means they’remore educated, busier, and more tech savvy than any generation ofcustomers before them. Are you still doing business as usual? Youmight be buying into common myths that are holding your bridalbusiness back!

Myth #1: The Groom Picks out the RingActually two-thirds of brides are involved in the ring selectionprocess. They research rings on the internet and 20 percent evenvisit a jeweler* without their fiancé to try on styles.

Myth #2: Women on Bridal Sites Already Have EngagementRingsThis one simply isn’t true. In a survey of more than 10,000women who used The Knot to plan their weddings, 40 percent toldus they first came to the site before they had a ring. With dozensof designers marketing in The Knot Engagement Ring Tool,consider listing your business** so that when a bride falls in lovewith a particular design she can come try it on in person in yourstore.

Myth #3: Couples only Care about PriceGuess again! Our survey revealed that the bride’s number oneconcern is the style and setting of the ring, whereas the groomcares most about stone quality. Address these concerns to make asale that delights both your customers and your bottom line!

Myth #4: Couples only Consider a Few RingsCouples told us they consider an average of 27 rings at 4 retailers,so it’s important to carry inventory in order to keep them in store.

Myth #5: The Bridal Customer Opportunity is in the EngagementRingIf you’re only selling them the engagement ring, you could bemissing an additional $2,500 in average spending per couple onwedding bands, wedding day gifts and bridal party gifts. Keep intouch with the couple after the sale in order to earn their loyalty,and compete for that additional business.

*All data in this article is from The Knot Market Research 2011 Jewelry andEngagement Study

**Our Jewelry Store Referral Program allows brides to discover whichjewelers in their area carry the designs in our Engagement Ring Tool. Werefer hundreds of hot leads to jewelry stores every day! Contact our jewelryspecialists Nikole Spangler at nspangler@theknot.com or ChristinaDonnally at cdonnally@theknot.com for more information.

Five Myths Holding your Bridal Business Back!

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Rock & Restock: free rooms, vouchers, discounts and more ...

RJO Members Stay Free RJO will pay for up to three consecutive nights’ lodging for all qualifying stores. Reservations must be madedirectly through the hotel or www.rjohotel.com.

Get a $250 Travel VoucherRegister by December 28 to receive a $250 Travel Voucher. Only dues-paying members with accounts in good standingwill receive a voucher. Phoenix Buying Show Travel Vouchers are provided through the generosity of RJO vendors.

American Airlines Group & Meeting Travel SpecialsRJO has partnered with American Airlines to provide show attendees a 5 percent discount for the 2013 RJO SpringBuying Show. Valid travel dates for this discount are Jan. 21-Feb.1, 2013. Access American’s fares online, and apply thisdiscount at: www.aa.com to book your flight. Place the Promotion Code 5513BW in the promotion code box, and yourdiscount will be calculated automatically.

More: Purchase Vouchers, Sunday Lunch Coupons, Cash-Giveaways, Meet-A-VendorChallenge, and “Rock the Night Away” evening gala

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RJO Spring Buying Show – Rock & Restock • January 26 - 28, 2013 • Phoenix, AZ

Two years ago, more than 250 RJO jewelers made the Spring Buying Show inPhoenix a record-breaker. We’re returning to the same venue in January, this time to “Rock and Restock.”

Phoenix is renowned for it’s sun, sand, saguaros and spas, but we’ll add to thatwith three days of camaraderie, learning, and buying. Plans are already set forpopular training sessions, greatkeynotes, receptions, roundtables,and, of course, an evening gala.Whether you take advantage of thewarm temperatures, hot food orcold drinks, Phoenix offers just theright touch for a working weekendaway.

In addition to the great dealsyou’ll find on the Buying Showfloor, RJO has set up a number ofmembership benefits as well,highlighted below.

Additionally, members are beingoffered a broad selection of full-day and half-day tours, describedfurther in the box to the right.

Hyatt Regency Phoenix

RJO has partnered with Southwest DiscoveryTours to offer Spring Buying Show attendeesexclusive Arizona tours. The slate includesexciting full-day and half-day tours (Fridayand Tuesday only), including several newones. Ordering instructions, costs, and in-depth tour descriptions will be included inthe Registration Packet due in November.

FULL-DAY TOURS

THE GRAND CANYON and the NavajoIndian Reservation

SEDONA and a visit to JEROME

TUCSON [ New! ]

HALF-DAY LOCAL TOURS

Made in Hollywood – EXPERIENCESCOTTSDALE [ New! ]

An exclusive VIP tour to the Jeweler of therich and famous. [ New! ]

DIAMONDS AND DENIM

Ilove going to the grocery store. My wifeSue is not a big fan of it, so I havepretty much picked up those duties at

the house. What I have found though—some of it through my experience and mostof it through Sue’s constructive criticism—is that if I go to the store hungry or withouta detailed list, I will come back with muchmore than I needed, and I am likely to bemissing some of the key items that I wentto purchase initially.

I see advertisers in the market strugglewith this same concept everyday. Theydon’t have a list (marketing plan) so whenthey go shopping (buying media) it isdifficult to be as focused and effective asthey need to be. Often they plan month-to-month, going, from media “opportunity” to“opportunity,” yet never gaining anytraction.

To have the best chance of success withyour marketing and advertising next year(you are planning already for next yeararen’t you?) here are a few tips that I haveseen work for a variety of retailers over theyears.

• Have a plan for the year. Plan to be very visible during your peakperiods and less-so during those timeswhen you are not busy. In the old days thiswas referred to as “making hay while thesun shines.” Revisit your plan eachquarter, and make adjustments if you haveto, but don’t be too quick to change it.

Also, don’t be too anxious to change thesubstance of your creative message. A wellthought-out and produced campaign shouldbe capable of running for at least threeyears.

• Identify your best customers andprospects, and decide what your messageneeds to be to influence their purchasingdecision. Every store will have its own “niche,”whether that be price, quality, volume,etc. Just remember that the service andprofessionalism that you offer has to bepart of any message. Customers these daysdon’t expect it, they demand it.

• Determine your budget, but leave a fewdollars (as much as 10 percent) set asidefor “opportunities.” If your entire budget is spent early, you willnot have a chance to take care of trulyspecial buying opportunities. One thingthat we know for sure with media reps isthat they will bring you truly specialopportunities from time-to-time.

• Once your message is clear, choose themedia that will best convey that messageto your best customers and prospects. A media mix is always the best option, buttight budgets might make that lessfeasible. Remember that you are in thejewelry business, and visuals are key. Useprint and television to carry the “sizzle,”and utilize radio to help drive traffic toyour store.

• Look for, ask for—insist upon—opportunities to set yourself apart fromyour competition, increase youreffectiveness and/or save yourself somemoney.Purchase as much media as you can up-front, even now if you can. You will paylower rates, and you have a better chance ofnot being bumped if you are signed up onan annual plan.

• Implement strategies that will furtheryour chances of success.Don’t spread your budget too thin, don’tbuy because you like the rep, and don’t buytoo many stations, thus diluting youreffectiveness. Be strong where you feelyour best impact is. Skip a week or two toallow your “on” weeks to be moreimpactful.

These and many other concepts will helpyou get the most out of your advertisingdollars and move you closer to a verysuccessful 2013.

Start your plantoday!

Marketing Matters:Key to a successful 2013: Focus, focus, focus

Michael C. Woody is President and Chief IdeaOfficer of Capital Ideas. He has nearly 30 years

of experience in television advertising andloyalty marketing. Phone: 515-556-5373.

E-mail: MichaelC@ideas2burn.comWebsite: www.ideas2burn.com

I n T h e L o u p eI n T h e L o u p e

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Want to hear more from Mike Woody? There’s a podcast for thatEpisode 1 (April 2011): Getting That Marketing Edge

RJO CEO Mary Peterson talks with Michael Woody from Capital Ideas about ideas for improving your marketing.

http://rjojeweler.com/wordpress/

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PAGE 9

To make our contacts with you more efficient and timely, RJO is increasing the use of e-mail as a contact medium.

From regular electronic newsletters to buying show announcements, our e-mail notifications are getting more common and more important.

If you’ve changed your e-mail address lately or would prefer to receive RJOcommunications at a new or different address, please let us know.

Address updates and changes can be directed to Mary Harger in the RJO office at:mary@rjomembers.com or call the RJO office at: (800) 247-1774.

Make Sure RJO

Has Your Most Up-to-Date

E-mail Address

Episode 1:Getting That Marketing Edge

Episode 2:The Art of Gold Selling

Episode 3: Becoming Tomorrow’s Jeweler

Episode 4:Family + Fun = Success

Episode 5: Vendor Relationship Tidbits

Episode 6: How Evaluations Can Help

RJO CEO Mary Petersonspeaks to Amy, Brian, andJennifer from Beeghly andCompany Jewelers about

“EmployeeEmpowerment…..HowEvaluations CAN Help.”

Learn how to implement anevaluation program into your

store with first-handknowledge from one of our

own RJO members andstaff.

Episode 7: Jewelry Security 101: Protecting

Your Customers

RJO CEO Mary Peterson talksto Tammy Ross from Windle’s

Jewelry about how you can helpyour customers protect their

jewelry.

Latest RJO Podcast looks at Customer ProtectionOne of RJO's new initiatives

last year was the launch ofEducation-on-the-Go

podcasts, entertaining andeducational discussions,

ranging from building yourcustomer database to

ensuring you maintain yourfocus on customer service.

These podcasts are about ahalf-hour in length, and are

aimed at helping you withyour overall marketing plan.Episode 7 was released at

the end of September.

http://rjojeweler.com/wordpress

For more than 25 years, Connie Miller has been the moneyperson at RJO. Starting in 1986 as a data entry clerk, Connie’sability to negotiate the world of accounting software, taxes

and billing, has earned her the role of RJO’s financial manager.Unless you’re a paper pusher or tech-head, Miller’s job may sounda bit overwhelming.

“I reconcile, balance and processfinancial statements, reports andjeweler/vendor accounts,” saysMiller. “I also maintaininvestments and checkbooks,process 1099s for the IRS, payoffice bills, setup and build newEDI vendors, process EDI, andassist in payroll.”

Miller also serves as computerliaison and audit liaison, and shehelps with the setup ofmember/vendor accounts.

She grew up around Newton Iowa, where RJO is headquartered.An Iowa farm girl at heart, Miller says she has raised cattle, hogs,fields of corn and beans; I “have baled my share of hay.”

“I now live in the small town of Searsboro,” says Miller. “It’s a 30-minute commute to Newton to work, but you can’t beat small townliving! It’s very peaceful and worth it to have the kids in smalltown schools!”

Miller is mother to two girls in college, and her free time revolvesaround football and motocross races.

“We find ourselves running to games every weekend,” she says,“when we aren’t flagging at motocross races.” Her racing interestisn’t just limited to watching.

“You can catch me putting an engine in a car now and then.”

She also helps setup and clerk at estate sales. “It’s my cousin’sbusiness, and it’s amazing some of the treasures we can find,” saysMiller.

Connie Miller can be reached at: connie@rjomembers.com

Meet the RJO Staff: Connie Miller

To place your FREE classified advertisement in the next issue of In the Loupe, send your items by December 1, 2012, to Christopher Green via fax: 800-597-2107; via e-mail: sheridanavenuedesign@earthlink.net; or via mail: RJO, P.O. Box 1045, Newton, IA 50208.

PAGE 10

CALENDAR OF events November 4Daylight Savings Time ends.

November 6Election Day

November 10All payments must be received in RJOOffice.

November 11Veterans Day

November 20All invoices due in RJO Office.

November 22Thanksgiving - RJO Office closed.

November 23Holiday - RJO Office closed.

December 10All payments must be received in RJOOffice.

December 17Vendor Show Registration deadline.

December 20All invoices must be received in the RJOoffice to count towards your patronagedividend.

December 28Jeweler Show Registration Deadline (lastchance to receive $250 travel voucher)

Wanted: The Gem Gallery, Bozeman’s premiere custom jewelrystore, is looking for an experienced goldsmith to work full-time inour very busy, state-of-the-art shop. Position requires experiencewith general jewelry repair, ring sizing, wax carving and casting,all levels of stone setting, engraving, laser repairs, custom jewelrybuilding and general knowledge of the jewelry industry. CAD-camwork is a plus. Salary is based on full-time piecework using theGellar book with PTO, health insurance and simple IRA available.Continuing education is provided on a contractual basis. Bozeman,Montana provides a wealth of outdoor opportunities in hiking,

fishing, hunting and world-class skiing in a beautiful mountainsetting. Please email resume with three references toinfo@gemgallery.com with “GOLDSMITH Position” in thesubject line. Be sure to include a phone number where you can becontacted.

For Sale: Jewelry Showcases. We are ready to retire and havejewelry showcases & related items for sale. Click here to see aphoto gallery of items available. Call Wayne at: 301-845-2200; e-mail: Wstarkey666@aol.com

FREE classifieds

Bill’s Jewelry ShopBill Hammen, Jeanne Hammen

Grinnell, IAReferred by Mike Doland, Doland Jeweler,

Dubuque, IA & Joe Koester, Herzog Jewelers, FortMitchell, KY

Buchkosky JewelersPaul BuchkoskyRoseville, MN

Referred by Pinny Rubin, Leslie’s, Greenwich, CT

Diamonds and Gold International, Inc.David Dumas

St. Louis Park, MN

Faye’s Diamond MineFaye RodgersClinton, AR

Referred by Arthur Back, Leslie’s, Greenwich, CT

Hager Jewelry Inc.Mark A. CormierHutchinson, MN

Referred by JB Kaiser Jeweler, Jeffery Kaiser,Grand Rapids, MN

Jems Jewels & GoldScott & Karen Kelly

North Wales, PA

Kiefer Village JewelsDavid & Wendy Hevia

Lutz, FLReferred by Connie Thurmond, Connie & V. Cross

Jewelers, Bossier City, LA

Pineforest JewelryJames Mills, Linda Mills

Houston, TXReferred by Greg Grefin, 24 Karat Rose Co.,

Wayzata, MN

Smith JewelersKenneth Brown

Jackson, ALReferred by Joe Koester, Herzog Jewelers, Fort

Mitchell, KY

Sterling Jewelers of Connecticut, Inc.Donald Unwin, Carla Unwin

Wethersfield, CTReferred by Joe Koester, Herzog Jewelers, Fort

Mitchell, KY

NEW members

Thank you to the jewelers referring new members to our group. These jewelers will receive a $1,000 finder’s fee for their referral, payable after a new member has been in good standing for six months.