Everything from gold fillings to multi-million-dollar rarities
How I ended up here (and why I'm sharing it all)
Hi everyone, and a big welcome to all the new subscribers! I'm so flattered to have you here. For those just discovering my newsletter, I thought I'd reintroduce myself.
I've been in the jewelry industry for 15 years (I still can't believe it!). It all started after college and the recession, when I moved to NYC from Connecticut and took a receptionist job at a Manhattan jewelry-buying firm. It was a revelation! I'd always loved all things adornment—a passion that started in childhood with various collections—but the sheer scale of the jewelry, watch, and gemstone trade (the buying, selling, repurposing) was something I'd never even imagined. I worked my way through various roles at the company over the years, gaining invaluable experience handling everything from gold fillings to multi-million-dollar rarities. I also had access to wholesale dealers, estate dealers, and collectors, many of whom had been in the business for generations.
This industry is a close-knit community where reputation and relationships are everything. My curiosity, humility, and eagerness to learn—asking tons of questions, attending trade shows, exploring galleries—have served me well. I'm still as curious and passionate as the day I started discovering this fascinating world.
And that brings me to my privilege. My experience is a privilege. What I've been exposed to is a privilege. This niche, special world can be intimidating to outsiders, but it's home to me. That's why I started writing on Substack. Recognizing my privilege, I want to pull back the curtain on this industry and share what I've learned. My aim is to educate, yes, but even more so, to inspire. Sharing in this newsletter has brought me so much joy, and I'm excited to share more with you. I'd also love to hear from you! What can I offer you? What topics are you curious about? What would you like to learn more about?
Ah you too survived the 2008 recession. I moved to NYC around 2009 after I graduated and I won’t have to tell you how hard it was for me to find a job! I majored in design and ended up working as a junior designer at a small company. It was hard time but it did make me tough and I gained so much experience… it is true that what doesn’t kill you make you stronger.
I’m one of your new-ish subscribers, I guess. I am curious, What’s your most prized item? What makes it your favorite? Does it have a story?