Success in the jewelry industry requires an abundant wealth of knowledge, so get your hands on all the fine jewelry publications and jewelry trade publications you can and keep reading. As a small business owner, you need every advantage you can get to succeed. Your competition will eat you alive unless you stay one step ahead of them by possessing extensive knowledge and understanding of the jewelry industry so you can apply that knowledge to improving your product and customer service, win over new customers and retain your existing clients for a lifetime.

Changes in products and techniques occur all the time within the jewelry industry, and reading a jewelry business trade publication whenever you get the chance will ensure you always know the latest and most important information. As you research each jewelry trade publication to find the ones that will best serve your needs, consider the following sources:

1. Deepen your knowledge of the jewelry industry through gemology and jewelry books.

2. Stay current on news and trends with trade magazines for jewelers.

3. Take advantage of other jewelry business trade publications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase jewelry books for easy reference

A jewelry book makes a great reference tool and often a good choice to display on your coffee or side table.

I recommend: Add Gemmology, by Peter Read, to your bookshelf for quick reference. This paperback book explains the history and science of gemology and covers the latest methods of gem enhancement and identification. Buy Jewelry & Gems at Auction: The Definitive Guide to Buying & Selling at the Auction House & on Internet Auction Sites, by Antoinette Matlins, a gemologist and author. The book should provide you with most everything you need to know about buying or selling gems and jewelry at auction. Purchase The Complete Book of Jewelry Making, by Carles Codina, to add to your collection of books on jewelry. This how-to book comes complete with hundreds of color pictures, tons of information and seven step-by-step projects for contemporary jewelry.

Subscribe to or bookmark your favorite jewelry trade magazines

Read a jewelry trade magazine to get more creative ideas, educate yourself and gain inspiration.

I recommend: Save the Jewelers' Circular Keystone, a fine jewelry publication, to your list of favorites, or order the print version. The magazine originated more than 130 years ago, and its editors have won many awards honoring their outstanding journalism and integrity. The magazine addresses itself to retailers, manufacturers and vendors of fine jewelry. Subscribe to National Jeweler, a jewelry market publication. Published twice a month, it provides industry news and analysis on pressing industry issues and includes gemstone, fashion and watch news as well. Check out Modern Jeweler, a magazine that focuses on new products, product trends and new jewelry styles. You can subscribe to the print magazine sent out monthly or bookmark its online companion.

Search for other photography publications to get in-depth information on specific topics

Use other jewelry publications like journals and guides for detailed information pertaining to specific topics within the jewelry industry.

I recommend: Order a subscription to the MJSA Journal, put out by the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America. Published monthly, the journal provides timely articles and information to jewelry manufacturers and retailers. Place a shortcut on your desktop for the Federal Trade Commission's Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries. These quick reference guides address deception in the industry and the misuse of many words and terms, including platinum, palladium, flawless, perfect, non-corrosive, rust proof, real, gem, synthetic, ruby, stone and many more.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Besides researching topics and staying informed of industry trends and news, use jewelry market publications to get new ideas, develop new networking opportunities, potential clients and new suppliers that can help your business thrive.