Understanding The Ring Resizing Process

Nine out of ten times, the ring a customer tries on at a jewelry store isn't going to fit their finger. Rings must be just the right size so it can easily slide on the finger without falling off. An oversized ring will likely fall off the finger and become lost, while an undersized ring won't be able to comfortable slide on the finger. Thankfully, most jewelers offer ring sizing services. In this post, we're going to take a closer look at how ring sizing is accomplished.

Metals Suitable For Resizing

First and foremost, it's important to note that not all metals are suitable for resizing. Gold (white and yellow), platinum and silver are all perfectly fine; however, some of the tougher metals like titanium, stainless steel and tungsten are far more difficult to resize. This doesn't necessary mean that it can't be done, but only jewelers with the skill and confidence in resizing tough metals will offer this service.

Rings with precious gemstones may also increase the difficulty of resizing. If the gemstones are exposed to excessive heat, which is common in resizing, they may crack and break open. To avoid such a disaster, jewelers tend to avoid resizing rings featuring gemstones.

How Rings Are Resized

There are several different techniques used by jewelers to resize a ring, but the most common involves heating the ring to shape it accordingly. The jeweler first heats a weaker strand of metal at the bottom of the ring known as the shank. After removing the shank, the ring is placed around a form to hold its shape. The jeweler then uses a soldering iron or similar device to heat the metal so it's easier to work with. If the ring size is increasing, the jeweler will expand it out while adding additional metal into the band. If the ring size is decreasing, however, the jeweler will simply remove some of the metal.

Sizing a ring up typically costs more than downsizing due to the increased materials required. Because the jeweler is forced to add more metal, the cost of sizing a ring up is increased. The exact amount will depend on the type of metal, labor and prices set by the jeweler.

Once the metal is appropriately sized, metal is added back to the shank and the ring is closed. Most jewelers will clean and shine the newly resized ring before handing it over to the customer.

The Importance of Lighting In a Retail Jewerly Store

Lighting is a critical element that's necessary to run a successful jewelry store. Without the right lighting, customers won't be able to fully see each and every detail in the jewelry you offer. As a result of this poor visibility, you'll end up making less sales. The bottom line is that jewelry stores must have appropriate lighting so customers can easily see their inventory. To learn more about the importance of lighting in a retail jewelry store and ways to improve it, keep reading.

The most obvious benefit of lighting in a jewelry store is that it makes the product easier for customers to see. Jewelry is typically small in size, making it difficult to see. Details such as engravings, diamond accents, platinum coating, etc. may go unnoticed in stores with poor lighting. If customers aren't able to identify the incredible details on your store's jewelry, they will be less likely to make a purchase. This is why it's important to maintain adequate lighting throughout your store at all times.

Being that jewelry is typically made from precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum, strong lighting will create a shimmering effect as it hits the surface. The shiny, sparkling appearance of jewelry encourages customers to make a purchase. Customers associate a strong shimmer with high quality; therefore, creating more shine and shimmer in your jewelry will send the impression that it's made well.

There are several different ways for owners to improve their store's lighting. First and foremost, check the overhead fixtures to ensure they are emitting ample lighting. If the fixtures are small, broken or simply not emitting enough light, you may want to replace them with a better model. Choose fixtures with multiple bulbs for optimal lighting ability. In addition to overhead fixtures, you can install floor and table lamps for even more lighting. As long as they are used in the right areas, these supplemental forms of lighting are perfect for a jewelry store.

Also, you should consider using display cases with lights installed. These cases have bulbs built into the tops and sides which shine line directly down onto the jewelry. It's a highly effective way to provide more illumination and ultimately visibility to your product. Replacing your old glass display cases with new models featuring lights is a smart investment that's sure to pay off in the long run.

Customer Service Tips For Jewelry Store Owners

The retail jewelry industry is built around strong customer relationships. By maintaining a strong customer-oriented business, you'll naturally encourage visitors to keep coming back. Instead of making just a single sale off a customer, your store will likely generate several more in the future. Overlooking this critical fact could essentially spell disaster for your jewelry business. To learn more about ways to improve customer service in the retail jewelry industry, keep reading.

Tip #1 - Smile

Ever walk into a store only to see the owner or attendant glaring you down? You probably don't feel like spending your money in a store such as this. Try to get into the habit of maintaining a smile at all times while you are working. I know this difficult to do, especially when you are having a bad day, but you must put on your best face; otherwise, customers will get the wrong impression about your jewelry store business. Maintaining a smile will essentially set the mood for your store, encouraging customers to keep an upbeat, happy attitude as well.

Tip #2 - Train Your Staff

Let's face it, all it takes to send a retail business spiraling downwards is one wrong employee.  When you aren't there to watch over the jewelry store, you need employees who are knowledgeable not only with the inventory, but with customer service as well. Train your employees the key fundamentals of good customer service, such as maintaining a smile, greeting customers with a "hello" and "goodbye," staying friendly, etc. The additional time it takes to train your staff the elements of good customer service will prove to be well worth it in the long run.

Tip #3 - Return Policy

One of the worst mistakes you can make when running a retail jewelry store is having a "ALL SALES FINAL" policy. The truth is that no store owners enjoys doing returns, but it's necessary to keep customers happy. Turning your customers away when they accidentally purchased the wrong type of ring or necklace will only put a bad taste in their mouth in regards to your store. As a result, it's doubtful they will come back to shop at your store again. If you want customers to keep coming back for all of their future jewelry purchases, you must allow returns. Whether it's 7, 14 or 30 days, you must have some sort of return policy in place.

3 Ways Local Businesses Benefit From Having an Online Presence

It's a common mistake for retail store owners to neglect launching a website. Since they rely on local sales rather than online transactions, some owners believe there's no real benefit in having an online presence. The truth, however, is that a website for your retail store could offer several different benefits. To learn more about how local businesses can benefit from having an online presence, keep reading.

#1 - Increased Brand Exposure

The first benefit we're going to talk about here is increased brand exposure. By having a website up and running for your retail business, more people will inevitably see the brand name. This is a huge benefit that gives your store more authority in its respective industry. Whether your store sells electronics, jewelry, antiques, groceries or practically anything else, you want people to know and recognize its name. The only way you are going to be able to accomplish this is through brand exposure. Launching a website for your retail store is a small step in the right direction towards increasing your brand's exposure.

#2 - Customers Can Find You More Easily

Another benefit of having an online presence is the simple fact that it makes it easier for customers to locate your store. Let's face it, the days of scanning through hundreds of pages in the phone book are long gone. In today's fast-paced world, people use the internet to find addresses and phone numbers of businesses. Typing a business's name into Google will instantly yield relevant results containing this information. If your store doesn't have an online presence, however, potential customers won't be able to find you using this technique. This is why it's important for each and every retail business to take the time to set up a website.

#3 - Social Media Networking

A third benefit comes from the power of social media networking. Once you've launched a website for your retail business, customers and clients will likely begin to share it on their social media accounts; thus, offering even more brand exposure and customers. Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram have become increasingly popular. You can use this to your advantage by setting up social media accounts on all of these sites. All of the major social media networking sites are completely free, so don't worry about the cost. After setting up your accounts, spread the word to customers and clients so they'll connect and share your information with others.

What You Should Know About Opening a Smoke Shop

Are you thinking about opening a smoke shop in the near future? Although tobacco use has declined in the past few years, smoke shops are still thriving in terms of business and profits. Opening one in a strategic location could prove to be a smart, financially rewarding business venture that leads you on the path to success. Of course, there are some things you need to know before jumping into this unique industry.

What Are Smoke Shops?

If this is your first time hearing about smoke shops, let me explain what they are -- basically, they are shops that sell cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, cigarette rolling papers, smoking pipes and a variety of other smoking-related accessories. While anyone can run down to the nearest gas station to pick up a pack of cigarettes, it's doubtful they will find smoking pipes and other accessories, and this is where smoke shops come into play. These stores are catered specifically for smokers by showcasing a variety of pipes and products.

Choosing a Location For Your Smoke Shop

Just like practically any other retail store, location can either make or break your smoke shop business. Far too many new store owners try to save money on lease and utilities by choosing a location that's far away from main roads and highways. Although you can initially save some money on your lease this way, you'll lose far too much business to make it worth the savings. A better approach is to choose a location for your smoke shop that's around the "smoking" demographic. Don't be afraid to drive around various locations to scout out how many people are smoking. You can look at statistics and number data all you want, but sometimes there's nothing that compares to actually seeing the area for yourself.

Business License

In order to legally run a smoke shop, you'll need to acquire all of the necessary licenses and permits for the respective location. This varies from city to city, so check with the local zoning and planning office to determine what's required. Some areas may only require a traditional business license, while others may require a special permit for selling tobacco products. Running a smoke shop without the necessary licenses and permits places you at risk for fines and/or getting shut down. To prevent this from happening, get all of your ducks in order beforehand to ensure you are legally abiding by all federal and local laws.