CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
IndependentsAug 12, 2016
Two Indiana jewelers are ‘Open for Service’
Following the passage of a controversial religious freedom law, at least two Hoosier State jewelers are among the businesses that want to make their stance on discrimination known.
Passed by the state’s General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Mike Pence Thursday, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA, was designed to protect individuals or companies from being forced to doing something that conflicts with their religious beliefs, lawmakers say.
Critics allege the bill would allow business owners to discriminate against the LGBT community, to refuse service to people based on their sexual orientation.
The law caused widespread blowback across the country, with large corporations like Columbus, Ohio-based Angie’s List and San Francisco-based Salesforce.com among the first vowing to dial down business in the Hoosier State. Even the N.C.A.A., which is set to begin its men’s Final Four basketball tournament in Indianapolis this coming weekend, is expressing concern over the message the legislation sends.
Smaller businesses in Indiana also have been public about their disdain over the RFRA, so much so that they’ve propelled a simple website into a national movement.
About two weeks ago, before the RFRA even became law, a Valparaiso, Ind. native named Josh Driver put up OpenforService.org and created its $10 stickers and online badges with the idea that Indiana businesses could use them to show their support for all people, regardless of sexual orientation.
“This business serves everyone,” the sticker reads, followed by, in smaller font, “Learn more and find other companies that celebrate an open economy at OpenForService.org.”
A wide variety of businesses have embraced Open for Service, including bakeries, breweries and at least two independent jewelers, and the movement has attracted attention from business owners as far away as New York and Los Angeles, according to a story on Driver by The Indianapolis Star.
Bob Goodman, a third generation jeweler who owns and operates Robert Goodman Jewelers with his wife Rose-Marie, said he was one of the first merchants on Main Street in Zionsville, Ind. to purchase and put up his Open for Service sticker, after learning about the movement from a customer via a Facebook message.
“It fits who we are,” he said. “We are here to take care of anybody who walks in our
store … (sexual orientation) is not important. I don’t care. It has absolutely no importance, as far as we are concerned. It’s not my business. It doesn’t define the individual in any way, shape or form.”
Robert Goodman Jewelers has the Open for Service logo as its profile picture on both Twitter and Facebook, and has the actual physical sticker affixed prominently to its front door.
Goodman, who has been in the jewelry industry for 41 years, said the thought of the sticker offending potential customers never even crossed his mind. He said if they don’t like his views--if they, for example, came in and were put off when they saw him helping a same-sex couple--then so be it. He doesn’t want to help them anyway.
“This is a decision of right and wrong,” Goodman said emphatically. “This isn’t a business decision.”
In nearby Greenwood, Ind., Bob McGee, owner of McGee Jewelers and a past president of the Indiana Jewelers Association, also put up an Open for Service sticker on his store’s door. He said he heard about the movement from one of his employees, who is a member of the LGBT community.
“There was a time 40 years ago when I may have been slightly homophobic,” the 64-year-old jeweler admits.
But as he grew older and learned more about the world around him, and as many friends came out over the years, McGee changed his view.
Today, he said his store has gained a reputation among same-sex couples as the place to go for jewelry, though McGee is quick to point out that that is not the reason he put up the Open for Service sticker. “Our customer base pretty well knows us,” he said.
Like Goodman, he said he just believed it was the right thing to do.
While politicians tend to ignore barbs from the opposing party and criticism in the media, the potential loss of business certainly is one thing that gets their attention, and quickly.
The New York Times reported Monday that lawmakers in Indiana already have said they plan to amend the law to make it clear it does not allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.
McGee said if a change in wording is what is needed to satisfy everyone, then the legislature should do it. Whatever the outcome, however, he said he doesn’t think there’ll be any business owners in Indiana refusing to wait on or serve customers.
“A lot of the business owners feel like this is much ado about nothing,” he said. “I don’t know of a single merchant who even whispers in their sleep about turning anyone away who has money to spend. I love anybody who will spend money.”
More on Independents
The Latest
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
