My first “jewelry job” that I ever had was when I was a Freshman in college at a local jewelry store in Sales. I was terrible at this job in every way, but I loved being around jewelry and that’s all that mattered (at least to me, not my boss haha). Every month I ranked dead last in total sales and I couldn’t care less. I had a very sales-driven male co-worker who would constantly step over boundaries and steal any leads or customers that came my way…and again, I couldn’t care less. I was happy to be there and would “ooo and awe” when we would get a new shipment of jewelry – excitedly volunteering to be the one to put it out in the cases while I missed opportunities to sell to customers. When I wasn’t admiring the jewelry and making obnoxious wish lists in my head, I was in the back with the jeweler, learning and watching.
Being a monetarily poor Freshman in college working at a fine jewelry store was rough, but I did buy ONE item while I worked there – a dainty ID bracelet from the children’s section. I LOVED that bracelet and wore it nonstop. I sadly never got it engraved and it still remains blank to this day, however the amount of patina and scratches it now has is my medal of honor for the years of joy it brought me. The clasp broke years ago, which is why I stopped wearing it and somehow after 18 years in the industry I have not gotten the chance to get it repaired.
When I decided to launch an e-commerce website, I took all my years of collecting and curating to create my inventory line-up. Each item was intentionally added and many pieces are directly from my own collection. An ID bracelet was something I definitely HAD to include and I borrowed many aspects of the bracelet that is offered from my personal piece that I bought from my first jewelry job. For example, the mini Figaro bracelet links are exactly the same, down to the same width.
Since introducing this item a few years ago, so many people have purchased an ID bracelet and I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on it. I personally own two of them, one with each of my sons’ names on them. And I have worn at least one of them every single day without taking it off since I got it – so I’ve truly been testing the durability. I’m pleased with how it has held up and have not had any problems. I think it makes the perfect gift and I’ve included some engraving ideas on the listing over on shopGemGossip.com
