Wheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
50 Jewelers/50 States: South Dakota
In Brookings, the customers at Wink’s Fine Jewelry love their diamonds but have recently soured on the halo.
Jerry Miller purchased Wink’s Fine Jewelry in Brookings, South Dakota in 1981.
Miller has become a go-to in the area for diamonds, including loose stones he sources personally in Antwerp, Belgium. It’s a good thing, as the local population includes a university with many young people at the engagement stage of their lives.
Miller talked to National Jeweler about what they’re buying and his future plans for the business.
Wink’s Fine Jewelry was incorporated in Brookings, South Dakota in 1968. Today, Jerry Miller is the owner of the 1,800-square-foot store, which has six employees, one of which is Miller’s granddaughter, who hopes to take over the business one day.
National Jeweler: What’s the biggest challenge your store is facing today?
Jerry Miller: Millennials and competing with online shopping.
NJ: What’s the top-selling category at your store?
JM: Diamonds. Diamond engagement rings--we’re in a college town, South Dakota State University is here--as well as other diamond jewelry: diamond earrings, bracelets and necklaces.
NJ: What’s your top-selling brand?
JM: That’s easy, Wink’s Fine Jewelry.
NJ: Describe your regional customer.
JM: Our bridal customer is in their 20s. For the larger diamond purchases we have clients in their 40s to 70s. I couldn’t say if it’s more men or women but typically the young girls and women come in first to look, then bring the guy with them later, and maybe he comes back to make a purchase.
We have a big city to the south (Sioux Falls), but we serve about a 35- to 40-mile radius going west and east and north. We’re on the border of Minnesota and serve some of that population too.
NJ: What’s the most popular style of engagement ring with your clientele now?
JM: It’s going toward a more simple solitaire; halos aren’t too popular anymore.
Cushion-cut diamonds are popular, as are round brilliants. Fourteen karat to 18-karat white gold are our most popular metals, with some yellow too and a little bit of rose.
NJ: Which social media accounts are important to your business?
JM: We just built a new website, which is getting a lot of great comments from people.
For social media we have Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest. We’re also on The Knot. Facebook is our biggest (social media platform).
The perfect pear ⯑⯑ #winksjewelry #downtownbrookings #pearobsessed #engagingbrookings
A post shared by Wink's Jewelry (@winksjewelry) on Jul 27, 2017 at 9:30am PDT
NJ: Do you have e-commerce?
JM: We don’t, but it’s something we’re looking into for the future.
NJ: What’s the best piece of advice you’d offer to a fellow independent jeweler?
JM: Stay out of debt.
Pay your accounts on time and live modestly today so you can live greatly tomorrow. And join buying groups like the RJO so you can get discounts, and join groups like the American Gem Society so you keep learning.
NJ: What’s a fun fact about you we can share with our readers?
JM: I’m handsome (laughs). Just kidding, I’m not. What’s a fun fact about me?
My 23-year-old granddaughter, Samantha Tupper, joined the business three years ago and she’s better at this than I ever was. I’m looking forward to retirement. She’ll buy me out of the business and that will give me a chance to see my other 30-plus grandkids and great-grandkids and travel.
The Latest
PGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
Nicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Karina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
The men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
The brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
Tim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Sales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
The retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.