Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
EditorsMar 10, 2017
How to Find and Keep Good People: The Day’s Method
The president of Day’s Jewelers dishes on the Maine chain’s hiring practices, social media efforts and why they let dogs in their stores.
Day Jeweler’s President David Harris speaking Sunday at the Atlanta Jewelry Show. (Photo courtesy of Edward Zeltser Photography)
After Day’s was selected as Maine’s Retailer of the Year for 2016, the lovely Cindy Chandler, who organized the education at the Atlanta Jewelry Show this year, came up with the idea of recruiting a member of the store’s management team to come to the show and talk about what the retailer is doing right.
President David Harris was the member of the Day’s team who was tapped for the job. He fled Maine’s -16 degree wind chill and headed south to be interviewed by me in a one-on-one session this past Sunday afternoon.
Here’s are a few highlights from our conversation, staring with the part that I, and hopefully you, will find the most interesting: How does Day’s get and keep good people?
Harris said that too often, retailers start the hiring process without a clear idea of what they are looking for in a new employee; they have a job title, yes, but not really a good idea of what type of person they really need to fill the position.
They also tend to pass on good people--associates who are enthusiastic and can be developed--in search of the elusive “perfect candidate.”
Harris also mentioned that as part of the evaluation process, Day’s Jewelers uses psychological testing specific to the position for which the candidate applied, tests like:
--The Reid Report, which evaluates ethics, responsibility and work habits;
--DISC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientiousness), which groups people into one of these four personality types, each of which has its own specific set of behaviors; and
--EQ, which evaluates emotional intelligence.
These are certainly not the only tests out there, and it is also worth noting that there is a debate about the use of personality tests in hiring.
But at Day’s, it’s what they do. Harris said they think it is better to test than to go off “gut feeling” when hiring people.
(Side note: I would be remiss, and in the Smith crosshairs, if I did not mention that Harris’ comments were about hiring for any position, from sales to store management to social media. There is a book for picking salespeople specifically. It’s called “Hiring Squirrels.”)
When it comes to keeping good people, Harris said the main mistake retailers make is they ignore (though not purposefully) or take their best associates for granted. It’s not hard to see how this happens, since difficult employees tend to take up more of their boss’s time.
He
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
said at Day’s, they invest in their best people, furthering employees’ education so they see their job in a jewelry as a career, not as just a retail sales job.
They pay for employees to take courses offered by the Diamond Council of America and the Gemological Institute of America as well as the certification exams offered by Jewelers of America.
Here are some other interesting points from my talk with Harris.
--I asked David what service his customers appreciate most and he said on-site goldsmiths, which the retailer has in every store. He said people in Maine do not like hearing that their jewelry is being sent elsewhere to be fixed.
--Day’s Jewelers allows dogs in their store and after they let this fact be known, “It was like we were the finest people anywhere,” Harris wrote in the notes he prepared for our session. The Day’s marketing team very astutely created a Day’s blue tennis ball with company logo in white for the pooches to play with, a Day’s mat with paw prints and a Day’s water bowl. There are also dog treats on the snack counters in each store.
Do you know who loves dogs even more than Day’s customers? Social media. People snap photos of their dogs inside Day’s stores and share them.
--Day’s Jewelers is active on all the main social media platforms, Facebook (where it pays for advertising and is targeting baby boomer customers specifically), Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Twitter. They staff them by assigning each marketing associate a specific account and making them responsible for the content there.
--The retailer also allows people to bring in cats but Harris could only recall one time when someone actually did that, as cats are not known for their traveling temperament. The cat was fine.
--Harris has a very endearing Texas accent. He was born and raised in Irving.
They pay for employees to take courses offered by the Diamond Council of America and the Gemological Institute of America as well as the certification exams offered by Jewelers of America.
Here are some other interesting points from my talk with Harris.
--I asked David what service his customers appreciate most and he said on-site goldsmiths, which the retailer has in every store. He said people in Maine do not like hearing that their jewelry is being sent elsewhere to be fixed.
--Day’s Jewelers allows dogs in their store and after they let this fact be known, “It was like we were the finest people anywhere,” Harris wrote in the notes he prepared for our session. The Day’s marketing team very astutely created a Day’s blue tennis ball with company logo in white for the pooches to play with, a Day’s mat with paw prints and a Day’s water bowl. There are also dog treats on the snack counters in each store.
Do you know who loves dogs even more than Day’s customers? Social media. People snap photos of their dogs inside Day’s stores and share them.
--Day’s Jewelers is active on all the main social media platforms, Facebook (where it pays for advertising and is targeting baby boomer customers specifically), Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Twitter. They staff them by assigning each marketing associate a specific account and making them responsible for the content there.
--The retailer also allows people to bring in cats but Harris could only recall one time when someone actually did that, as cats are not known for their traveling temperament. The cat was fine.
--Harris has a very endearing Texas accent. He was born and raised in Irving.
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to ApprovalThe retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby'sOf the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports HistoryThe museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure ProgramThe new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.
CollectionsMay 04, 2026
Melanie Georgacopoulos Turns Pearls Into Light for ‘Eclipse’ CollectionThe “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.
ColumnistsMay 04, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
CrimeMay 04, 2026
Pawn Shop Manager Shot, Killed in FloridaLazaro Rodriguez Vega was murdered inside Cash Out Gold and Silver in Fort Pierce. A 20-year-old man has been charged in the case.
IndependentsMay 04, 2026
Zadok Jewelers, Austin Parks Foundation Support Wildflower PreservationA portion of every engagement ring sold in its Austin showroom will support the care and preservation of Austin’s wildflowers and green spaces.
TechnologyMay 01, 2026
Gemist, Saban Onyx Partner on Retailer-Focused Customization OfferingTheir partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.
SurveysMay 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Inches Up in April Despite Rising Gas PricesRespondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.
CollectionsMay 01, 2026
A ‘Hidden Garden’ Emerges in Tiffany & Co.’s 2026 Blue BookOur Piece of the Week, the “Butterfly” necklace, showcases a 7.02-carat oval diamond set between diamond, platinum, and 18-karat gold wings.
ColumnistsApr 30, 2026
Peter Smith: A Sleazy Salesman and the Case for Regret Avoidance Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.
MajorsApr 30, 2026
Claire’s New Summer Campaign Is a Sensory Wonderland for Gen Alpha“A Girl SMR at Claire’s” celebrates girlhood through the five senses with stacked jewelry, slime toys, scented accessories, and ASMR.
