In the Loupe

Michael's childhood friend, Taylor, shares his journey of designing a custom engagement ring with a lab-grown sapphire centerpiece, highlighting the collaborative decision-making process with his fiancée Jen who had a clear vision from the start. Send us Fan Mail  Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe Learn about Punchmark's website platform: punchmark.com In...

Drawing from his recent experience hosting a solo watercolor exhibition, Michael Burpoe shares marketing strategies that business owners can apply to their own store events. He explains how effective event planning, branding, goal-setting, and multi-channel promotion can enhance attendance and sales for any luxury buying experience. Send us Fan Mail  Send feedback or learn more about the podcast:...

Michelle Graff, editor-in-chief of National Jeweler, shares insights on unprecedented industry challenges including record-high gold prices and fluctuating tariffs. The jewelry industry faces a period of uncertainty that feels even more unpredictable than the pandemic era. We cover National Jeweler's impressive 120-year legacy, what stories in the jewelry industry she feels are underserved, a...

Now is the perfect time for jewelers to explore e-commerce as an additional revenue stream, especially during economic uncertainty. Having your products available for online purchase creates "another line in the water" that can catch unexpected sales with minimal effort. Download our free e-commerce strategy checklist at punchmark.com/checklist to help get started, regardless of which we...

Pearls are one of the oldest, most influential gems the world has ever known with a rich history dating back well over 5,000 years. Matt Harris shares his passion for this unique gemstone and explains how fashion trends surrounding the gem have shifted in the last 100 years, where he predicts they will head in future years, and how jewelers can ensure they are buying quality pearls that will sell....

Jordan Wentz, or Jewels of the Trade, shares her expertise on jade, one of the most misunderstood gemstones in the jewelry world, explaining its historical significance and how to identify authentic pieces. She illuminates the differences between Jadeite and Nephrite jade while providing guidance for retailers and consumers on recognizing quality jade and avoiding common pitfalls. Join the Jewels...

David Siminski, a refiner with 32 years of experience at United Precious Metals in Buffalo, shares his expertise on gold's dramatic price surge, how it might impact custom jewelry projects, and speculates on if the price will continue to climb. Send us Fan Mail  Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe Learn about Punchmark's website platform: punchmark.com Inqu...

Mike is joined by a panel of retail jewelers to talk about how they navigate the Jewelry Year. From when they schedule in their annual vacations, which jewelry shows they attend, and what jewelry styles are doing well at their respective stores.  Matt & Kim from R. Gregory Jewelers in Statesville, NC https://www.rgregoryjewelers.com/ Cole from Ware's Jewelers in Bradenton, FL https://www....

Prize indemnity insurance might sound like a dry financial topic, but Robin Lang from Tokio Marine HCC reveals it's actually one of the most exciting marketing tools available to jewelers today. We discuss how retailers can offer customers full refunds on purchases if certain events occur – like six inches of snow on New Year's Day, or a Safety during the Super Bowl – while paying just a...

For an exclusive first interview, Michael interviews Stephen Barnes, newly announced Owner and President of IJO about what the changes mean for him, IJO, and the retailers & vendors included in the group. Stephen Barnes shares his journey from longtime IJO member to President and now Owner, discusses his vision for the future of the Independent Jewelers Organization and what this transition me...

Michael speaks with Bri Black from Buzz Advertising Agency and Hope Bellair, Digital Marketing Manager at Punchmark, for a discussion on the art of creating effective marketing campaigns. Learn how to conceptualize a campaign, set goals and metrics, and execute on marketing for your next effort!  Learn more about Buzz Advertisement Agency: https://buzzadvertisingagency.com/ Send us Fan Mail  Send...

In the Loupe, is an award winning podcast for jewelers, produced by Punchmark, the Jewelry Industry’s FAVORITE website platform. In the Loupe is made for Retail Jewelers to keep them up to date with the latest and greatest taking place in the world of jewelry, both online and in-store.  Join me as I attend jewelry trade shows, educational workshops, and cover breaking news that will impact your st...

Virtual Reality (VR) is growing in popularity, and as the technology improves, so do the opportunities for use in real life. Michael has explored VR with his friends the past year and reports back on his experiences, the good, the bad, the... vertigo-inducing. Michael later speaks with three of his best friends who are avid VR users on how they've used this technology to stay in touch and kee...

Brevani, an offshoot jewelry brand of Color Merchants, owners Jordan & Allison Peck share their innovative journey in the jewelry industry, focusing on modern trends while maintaining a legacy of responsible sourcing. They discuss their dynamic collaboration as brother and sister, successful marketing strategies, what they stand to learn and gain as members of The Plumb Club, and how they keep...

Today we are taking a deep dive into the Google Workspace Suite of tools. These free tools are cloud based and able to be accessed in minutes after the creation of a Gmail account.  These tools are widely considered to be industry standard tools, as they make collaboration and asynchronous editing possible. Learn how the Punchmark team has been using these as well as how you can level up your own...

Michael sits down with Justin VanMatre of National Rarities to discuss what the last year of estate buying events looked like, what the most commonly bought items were, and announces the new Punchmark x National Rarities event page templates they recently collaborated on. If you have hosted a NR event, or plan to soon, you'll want to tune in for this! Learn more about National Rarities: https...

Meet the unsung heroes of the jewelry world as Mike speaks with Stefanie Wesdorp from Jewel-Craft, a fourth-generation family business that handles service requests for hundreds of retail jewelers around the US. Stefanie shares how Jewel-Craft has carved out a role as the hidden powerhouse behind so many jewelry stores. Tackling everything from intricate repairs to challenging customizations, Jewe...

Join Michael as he speaks with William Jones IV from Sissy's Log Cabin as we explore JewelLink, a cutting-edge recruiting tool revolutionizing how jewelry stores find the perfect candidates. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to expand or a jeweler seeking top talent, you'll gain valuable insights into refining your hiring process, focusing on skills and entrepreneurial potentia...

We are back! Mike shares e-commerce trends from Punchmark's data, focusing on average cart value and sales performance across different months and compares year to year. Take Aways: • AOV reveal fluctuations in average cart value from 2021 to 2024  • Notable months for sales performance include April, August, September, and October  • Friday emerges as the top day for e-commerce purchases  •...

It's the final episode of Season 5, which means Mike is giving you a tour of all of the best bits from this season.  This is the 50th episode from this season, and we've interviewed some impressive and distinguished members of the jewelry industry this year. We hope you'll enjoy a look back on some of our favorite moments from Season 5! We will be back January 7th with the first epi...

Mike sat down to chat with Hope Bellair, Punchmark's Digital Marketing Manager, exploring the booming resurgence of event-based marketing and the domination of short-form video content. As TikTok's fate hangs in the balance, we consider the clever strategies jewelers can adopt to pivot their marketing efforts while staying ahead in the digital game. They also dive into the art of strateg...

Unlock the secrets to creating a harmonious marketing strategy with our latest episode, "Marketing Symphony." Each channel has it's own unique language and requires a slightly different approach. Discover how to tailor video content to suit the unique quirks of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn! Send us Fan Mail  Send feedback or learn more about the podcast:...

The holiday season brings a rush of online shoppers, making it crucial for retail jewelers to ensure their e-commerce sites are in top shape. With a well-prepared website, you can enhance your customer experience, avoid technical hiccups, and maximize sales. Here’s a quick checklist to help you get your website holiday-ready, from payment setups to product data and marketing strategy. Adapted from...

Omi was founded nearly 35 years ago by Omi Nagpal and his wife, Preeti, whose family were ruby miners dating back to 19th century Burma. Later, their son, Niveet, founded Omi Privé, their finished jewelry business that specializes in one of a kind finished colored stone jewelry. From design processes to nurturing retailer relationships, Niveet sheds light on the strategic side of the jewelry vendo...

Prepare to transform your online presence into a powerhouse of holiday cheer. We discuss how to maintain an omni-channel experience that seamlessly connects your digital and physical storefronts especially around the time of year where it matters most!  Don't let outdated information be the Grinch that steals your holiday sales—tune in as we share the essential steps to ensure your business s...