Diamond, Newsletter

GCAL Newsletter 6/1/20: Read, Listen & Stay Focused

Welcome again to GCAL’s weekly installment of links to articles, webinars, and podcasts aimed at helping us all continue to cope with this pandemic crisis. And what a week it has been!

The US opened a new era of space travel with the premier launch of SpaceX. Tragic threshholds were reached with over 100,000 deaths to Covid-19, and over 40 million people unemployed. And the tragic death of George Floyd, followed by nationwide protests, that left many of our cities in flames. And of course we can’t forget the pandemic continues. This most definitely was the week that was!

We need to be compassionate yet vigilant… safe yet active… and focused. We all have businesses to run in this, the new normal. It may be challenging, but we need to do right by our family and friends, while developing plans to do right by our customers. Like you, GCAL isn’t sitting back and waiting for opportunities (or at least you shouldn’t be). We’re reimagining what can be done… and doing it! We’re a visual company, understanding that a picture is not just worth 1000 words, but the ultimate sale. Using the science of light and motion, along with proprietary technology and the promise of accuracy and consistency, we’re creating an experience intended to help salespeople close more sales at the point-of-purchase. And by your response, we know it’s working.

Our guaranteed certs (not reports) include links to compelling 360° videos, plus brand new fire and sparkle videos, that will help convince consumers that diamond under consideration truly is special. We’ve developed a new sales training presentation to help salespeople in this effort. And as we’ve mentioned before, the certs also include actual diamond photography (not generic images), light performance, to-scale diagrams, Hearts & Arrows, and of course Gemprint®. Never underestimate the power and influence of the world’s leading diamond identification technology. No other labs come close to providing all these features. None. Including GIA!

The choice is yours – a simple document that does little more than list the 4 Cs, or a guaranteed certificate that provides so much more. One final, but extremely valuable GCAL advantage. All these added features and benefits of the GCAL guaranteed cert add significantly to OUR cost… but NOT YOURS. Our prices remain competitive, as does our turnaround time. If this sounds too good to be true, check us out. Test us by sending in stones or jewelry to certify. Call us with questions. Your store will benefit, as will your customers. And please start by following the links below:

For all the reasons above, we’re asking for a favor: REQUEST GCAL! Your bottom line sales and profits, your margins, your store brand, your reputation, and your customers will benefit… in a very big way.

Thank goodness so many of you are back to work. Like many others, GCAL expects to reopen very soon. All of us at GCAL are beyond ready, and enthusiastically prepared to help our retail, manufacturing and wholesale partners bring your businesses back to where they should be.

With continuing heartfelt sympathy to any of you who have lost a loved one… with hope for a speedy recovery to those who are ill… please stay safe and be well. We look forward to seeing you and working with you all again soon.

Sincerely,

Don, Pam, & Angelo Palmieri, Steve Feldman, & The GCAL Team


See an example of the GCAL Certificate with Hearts & Arrows and 360 Video (Link)
See an example of the GCAL Lab Grown Certificate with Hearts & Arrows and 360 Video (Link)


YOUR BUSINESS
CHECK OUT THESE ARTICLES…

US Economy Showing Signs of Life: Displayed in 5 Charts
-CNBC
 

The Toughest Leadership Test
-McKinsey & Co.


House approves PPP Bill – 24 weeks for repayment and 60/40 split – Senate takes up the Legislation Next
-Market Watch
 

Return to Work Amid COVID-19: A Guide for Retailers
-Cleveland Clinic


This Is How Deeply the Coronavirus Changed Our Behavior: Displayed in 20 Charts
-Bloomberg


Sam’s Club’s New Concierge Shopping Service For Seniors Sets A High Bar For Retail Innovation
-Forbes

THE INDUSTRY
CHECK OUT THESE ARTICLES…

US Jewelry Stores Begin Reopening
– Rapaport


Designers Say E-Commerce, Instagram Sales Provide a COVID-19 Bright Spot
– National Jeweler by Ashley Davis


DelGatto Launches First Ever Online Finance Platform, on IDEX Online
– IDEX


How Often Should Jewelers Be Posting On Social Media?
– Jewelry Ecomm by Mike Hauben


Three-Quarters of Jewelers Surveyed Asking Staff To Wear Masks
– InStore by Eileen McClelland


Jewelers Report Mixed Feelings on Price Promotions Now
– InStore by Eileen McClelland

WEBINARS
CHECK OUT THESE SEMINARS…

June 4 at 12 Noon EST
The Rapaport Breakfast: State of the Diamond Industry
– hosted by Rapaport
Coronavirus or not! JCK Show or not! Martin Rapaoport presents his annual State of the Diamond Industry update.


June 4 at 1 pm EST
Creating Strong Bonds with Customers Online
– hosted by MJSA
Managing cash flow, finding new revenue streams, accessing credit and balancing investments versus cutbacks..Right now, businesses across the country are In the era of COVID-19, it seems that everything and everyone has moved online But connecting virtually goes beyond just the occasional Zoom meeting or a new website. This session will explore both the psychology of online communication and the technologies expanding our digital reach, enabling you to connect with customers in a way that’s both virtual and personal.


June 4 at 2 pm EST
Digital Marketing Must-Do’s For the “New Normal”
– hosted by AGS
With some stores still closed, and others slowly reopening, many wonder what this new retail environment will look like, and question what they’ll need. Join Emmanuel Raheb, CEO of Smart Age Solutions, and get advice on the latest and most successful trends smart retailers and brands are doing now, and the top things you can implement immediately to not only get through these tough times, but come out a winner on the other side.

PODCASTS
CHECK OUT THESE LISTENS…

Innovation In The COVID-19 Era Of Retail
-Retail Touch Points
Innovation was top-of-mind for savvy retailers prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, but the impact of the virus has truly pushed it to the forefront. In his role at Target, Chris Walton helped bring “the store of the future” into the cultural zeitgeist, and he uses those experiences and lessons learned to fuel his Omni Talk blogs and podcasts…even his columns for Forbes.

Interview with De Beers Group CEO, Bruce Cleaver
-JCK
In this edition of The Jewelry District you’ll hear JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky and news director Rob Bates conduct their first intercontinental podcast as they interview Bruce Cleaver, chief executive officer of the De Beers Group. You’ll hear them discuss what’s going on in the diamond industry, including production, supply and demand, and sustainability.

TRAINING
CHECK OUT OUR EDUCATION…

Selling with GCAL
-GCAL Team
Energize your staff to close more sales with the help of GCAL’s many exclusive, differentiating features. Turn prospects into buyers by skillfully answering questions and explaining the Zero Tolerance, Money-Backed Guaranteed Certs. Email us to schedule a time.


Gemprint – Protection and Profit Center
– Gemprint Team
Gemprint’s rapid and secure fingerprinting system for diamonds is used by every level of our industry to protect diamond assets. Learn how Gemprint technology can be implemented in your business to do everything from streamlining inventory control… to identifying returned diamonds… to earning discounts on jewelers block insurance… to providing a true profit center.