Thanksgiving marks the official start of the holiday shopping season.  Although this day is an American holiday there is one thing that should be universal…giving thanks for everything that is good in our lives. We are fortunate to be in an amazing industry with opportunities to grow and prosper at every step.  Here are just a few things to be thankful for.

 

1.  We get to play with rare stuff

We work with some of the most beautiful and rarest objects on Earth.  We routinely handle things that most people may never get to see and even fewer will be able to own.  Less than 2% of the women in the world will ever possess a 2 carat diamond, yet for many in our industry it is normal inventory.  That places us into an extremely rare group of humans.

 

2.  We are surrounded by beauty

We have beauty in our lives on a daily basis.  It may be an exotic coloured gemstone, a well-cut diamond, or an example of the fine art of jewellery design.  We immerse ourselves with beautiful objects and help our customers bring them into their lives.

 

3. We can share other people’s joy

Our customers come to see us for their important and joyous occasions. We are with them through all of the stages of their lives; engagements, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations…the list goes on.  We not only share their happiness, we add to it by providing symbols of love that will stay with them for generations.

 

4. We are constantly learning

The jewellery industry requires a vast amount of knowledge.  Jewellery is an important part of history and as sales people we get to share those stories.  We need to be well versed in a variety of arts and sciences.  Gemmologists study minerology, geology, optics, and the scientific process. Bench jewellers know about metallurgy and chemistry.  Designers deal with geometry, art- and now days- computer sciences.  Every aspect of the jewellery industry requires constant learning.

 

5. We explore the world

Our industry gives us the opportunity to travel to all corners of the planet. Some suppliers are in constant motion, visiting clients throughout their territory.  Most retail jewellers will travel to out of town or out of country trade shows.  Gem dealers often travel to very remote locations in the pursuit of new gems.  For many of us, our passports are our most prized possession.

 

6.  We are multi-cultural

Our industry knows no borders. We get to meet people from all over the world.  It helps us grown as individuals, teaching us understanding and compassion.  We celebrate all holidays and can share in each other’s customs, food, and lifestyles.  While the rest of the world seems to be dividing and falling apart, we come together bound by our shared passions for gems and jewellery.

 

So why not take a few moments before we get slammed with our seasonal rush and reflect on why we are thankful to be in this business.