At I. Gorman Jewelers Great Business Starts With a Great Staff

          
I. Gorman Jewelers was built on the founding premise that the key to success in any retail environment is through exemplary customer service. Naturally, the first step in providing top notch customer service is settling for nothing less than the finest sales associates available. This goes hand in hand with I. Gorman's penchant for keeping it in the family--whether their team members carry the Gorman name or have been adopted into the clan based on their exceptional service record, you can rest assured that I. Gorman Jewelers is a family business, through and through.

In a sense, I. Gorman Jewelers can be defined by their team members, and one particular sales associate has been a cornerstone of that team for more than a decade. Venita Peterson is blessed with all the natural capacities of a great sales associate, but she says the one talent that lets her rise above the pack is an extraordinary memory.

"I've always had the ability to remember a person's name, personal history and the story behind their jewelry purchase, whether it's one day, one year or more since they've been in the store. I say their name when they enter the store again and pick up right where we left..."

Whatever her secret is, Venita's devotion to her customers, as well as the I. Gorman team, has landed her in the limelight on more than one occasion. InStore magazine even tracked Venita down for an interview to be included in their coveted "Smooth Seller" feature. Here's a quote from Venita's InStore article. 

• Teamwork is very important to my success. I don't fool myself and think that I could reach this level of sales success without such an incredible group of people around me.   

• What surprises me most about working at I. Gorman's is the referral business. It's simply amazing. We send out gift baskets or thank you notes to all customers who give us a referral. It doesn't matter if the referral customer buys something or not, we just want the person who recommended us to know how much we appreciate them mentioning I. Gorman to a family member or friend.

To read the rest of the interview, visit InStoremag.com.
 

Exotic, Erotic, Exceptional: Atelier Zobel Designs at I. Gorman Jewelers

     
It takes an exceptionally creative mind to accomplish what a successful fine jewelry designer must do--conceptualizing a 3-D form in one's mind and transforming it into a beautiful piece of jewelry, that is comfortable to wear, is an extremely complicated task. It is this testing ground that separates good designers from the great, and one jewelry icon that has risen above the pack is Michael Zobel, of Atelier Zobel.

Born in Morocco, raised in Spain and trained in Germany, Zobel has been creating some of the world's most avant garde and provocative fashion jewelry designs for nearly 40 years. Well know throughout the fashion world for his innovative methods of combining precious and semi-precious metals and gemstones in strikingly fresh ways, Zobel passionately adheres to his mission of designing exotic, yet comfortable fine jewelry.

A master at the art of technical soldering, Michael Zobel utilizes his remarkable talent by fusing gold, platinum and silver into colorful patterns, finished with a variety of stimulating textures that are truly one of a kind. Unique designs, such as this flowing 18kt rose gold and platinum ring, adorned with aquamarine and flush set diamonds, are guaranteed to look stunning at a cocktail party or on the runway.

Not limiting himself to ring designs, Zobel has shown special interest in creating a spectacular collection of high-end cuff bracelets. Replicating his hallmark style of colorful patterns on a large scale, the crisscrossed design of this 18kt yellow and white gold cuff is accentuated by an impressive cubic grid of raw diamonds.
  

Alishan: The Crossroads of Gorgeously Gothic & Strikingly Sculptural at I. Gorman Jewelers

    
If you're searching for fabulous jewelry that's a little bit outside the box, look no further than I. Gorman Jewelers. With an all-star team of exceptional jewelry designers, one artist sticks out for creating jewelry with a balance of gothic and sculptural tones that is impossible to find elsewhere.

As a self-taught goldsmith with experience in drawing, sculpture and furniture design, Alishan approaches jewelry as miniature sculpture that is wearable. Armenian born, US trained, and world traveled, Alishan has taken full advantage of his unconventional background to design using an eclectic mix of textures, techniques and cultural references, in a style that is very much his own.

The artist is clear in his goal to create jewelry for the sophisticated wearer; strong and accomplished, an individual with confidence, style and taste, who appreciates graceful beauty and elegance.

But Alishan's jewelry IS for everyone, and if you're not sure the person he describes is you, don't fret--wearing a piece of fine art such as the stunning Flame Ring above is quite likely to give you the confidence boost you've been searching for. With this handcrafted, oxidized sterling silver and 18kt yellow gold fashion ring, set with white diamonds and a brilliant rhodolite garnet, you should prepare for compliments!