Why Work with an Independent Jeweler?

You could buy your jewelry anywhere. With a swipe of a key, any purchase is possible. So why work with an independent jeweler when you could buy from a multitude of big chains?

Independent jewelers provide better customer service.

Every member of our Scottsdale- based team has a personal and vested interest in the success of this business. This is more than a job for us but a craft and a vocation. We take it seriously and it shows!

Independent jewelers offer competitive prices.

When you buy at a big name chain, you’re paying extra for that name. While we do pride ourselves on our exclusive designs, you don’t pay overhead for them.

Quality control to the utmost degree.

From setting to metal to stone, every aspect is micro-managed to the most exquisite proportions. You simply won’t experience that kind of scrutiny and care in a chain store.

Independent jewelers respect budget.

As a small business, we respect and understand the importance of a budget and never push for a hard sale, like other big names do.

The purchase process is flexible and transparent.

Our small business structure means clear-cut policies and processes. We’re not bound by complicated corporate policy and ironclad rules. We bend over backward for each and every client because every client matters when you’re small.

The purchase process is intimate, creative and fun.

Custom design is special, not just a formula you plug into a computer. For three generations, we’ve honed the process so its personal and enjoyable. It adds such a critical layer to the purchase process.

Diversity and competition.

When small businesses thrive, other businesses compete. This ensures innovation and lower prices over the long run.

But shopping with an independent jeweler means more than just custom design jewelry. Supporting businesses like ours help communities thrive and contribute to our economy.

More reasons to shop small:

Small businesses make a big difference to our economy.

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA) 48 percent of all US employees work for small businesses. We account for 54% of all US sales. We’re a staple of the US economy continuing to employ, using local resources and serving the public.

Small businesses mean less environmental impact.

Local businesses like require less transportation to receive material. This means a smaller carbon footprint as well as less resource depletion and pollution.

Small businesses use other small businesses.

People who own local businesses tend to live in the area and invest in the community’s future on a daily basis.

Small businesses put taxes to good use.

Businesses like ours require less infrastructure investment and add more to the tax base as well as make more efficient use of public services.

Local businesses have character.

Every local business has a personality to it, unlike big box or chain stores. Tourism benefits when visitors notice the differences in an area, not the sameness.

1. Strengthen local economy.

When you shop at locally owned, independent businesses like Pangaea, more money is kept in the area, which strengthens our region’s tax base. Local businesses like ours purchase from other local businesses (like farms and health food vendors) which also bolsters local economy.

2. Non-profits receive greater support.

Local business owners support local non-profits substantially more than non-locally owned businesses (up to 350% more!).

3. Local businesses showcase character.

Every local business has a personality to it, unlike big box or chain stores. Tourism benefits when visitors notice the differences in an area, not the sameness.

4. Reduced environment impact.

Local businesses like ours require less transportation to receive merchandise. This means a smaller carbon footprint as well as less resource depletion and pollution.

5. More jobs, better jobs.

Local businesses employ! Small local businesses remain the largest employers nationally.

6. Customer service is better.

Local businesses hire people with a specific knowledge base. They’re not just looking to fill a position but find a right fit. This means higher quality customer service for our customers.

7. Local businesses invest locally.

People who own local businesses tend to live in the area and invest in the community’s future on a daily basis.

9. Diversity and competition.

When small businesses thrive, other businesses compete. This ensures innovation and lower prices over the long run.

The short answer? Independent jewelers craft jewelry that is truly unique, unlike anything you’ll purchase at a chain brand.

But how does buying from an independent jeweler help you?

Large brands have recognized that immersive experiences win in retail, but the intimacy and personalized care of small businesses is hard to scale. Many new business owners launch alone and fill every role in the business, including customer service. Without the layers of management and corporate policy, small business owners can make their own rules. The good ones will bend over backward for each shopper—because every customer matters when you’re small.

Every piece we create is tailored to fit you and your budget.

For a project, I would like to have a page that talks about supporting small businesses rather than the big stores and websites. I want Andres to put a link on the banner. I would say to also support local but since we do business all over the country, we'll need to just say small/independent businesses. There seems to be a movement with this due to Covid putting all of us out of business. We get a lot of people saying they want to support the small guys. Can you prepare some copy.

Sounds good on the Shop Independant. Should we load it with local/Phoenix/Scottsdale terms as well? I don't want to scare off our out of town people so maybe just talk about the small/independent business which accounts for 50% of all businesses in the US. Places like James Allen, by the way, are owned by the international company that owns Zales and Kays and Jarads. Do you think we can somehow mention this without saying names?

We, as a global community, can secure the futures of those resilient small businesses and help them shine.

Small businesses are important to the economic and social fabric of our society, and we all play a part in their survival.

We cannot stop this, but we can make a choice with our dollars to help local economies stay afloat and give small businesses a fighting chance to rebound when we emerge from our homes.

As of 2015, US small businesses employed 58 million people, or 48% of the private workforce.

Smaller businesses may have a shorter manufacturer-to-consumer journey, meaning there is more transparency in ingredients, materials, and the source of the products you buy.

Shop local.

You hear it all the time. But what does it really mean and why does it matter? The next time you visit our Manahawkin health food store, you can feel confident your purchases do the following:

1. Strengthen local economy.

When you shop at locally owned, independent businesses like Pangaea, more money is kept in the area, which strengthens our region’s tax base. Local businesses like ours purchase from other local businesses (like farms and health food vendors) which also bolsters local economy.

2. Non-profits receive greater support.

Local business owners support local non-profits substantially more than non-locally owned businesses (up to 350% more!).

3. Local businesses showcase character.

Every local business has a personality to it, unlike big box or chain stores. Tourism benefits when visitors notice the differences in an area, not the sameness.

4. Reduced environment impact.

Local businesses like ours require less transportation to receive merchandise. This means a smaller carbon footprint as well as less resource depletion and pollution.

5. More jobs, better jobs.

Local businesses employ! Small local businesses remain the largest employers nationally.

6. Customer service is better.

Local businesses hire people with a specific knowledge base. They’re not just looking to fill a position but find a right fit. This means higher quality customer service for our customers.

7. Local businesses invest locally.

People who own local businesses tend to live in the area and invest in the community’s future on a daily basis.

8. Taxes are put to good use.

Local businesses like ours require less infrastructure investment and add more to the tax base as well as make more efficient use of public services.

9. Diversity and competition.

When small businesses thrive, other businesses compete. This ensures innovation and lower prices over the long run.

10. Entrepreneurial investment.

Economic research shows that entrepreneurs are more likely to invest and settle in communities with character and one-of-a-kind businesses.