In the Loupe
In the Loupe is a weekly podcast hosted by Punchmark, the Jewelry Industry's favorite website provider. Each week's episode is focused around the explanation and advocacy of important E-Commerce topics and why every jeweler needs to be focused on their online presence now more than ever.
Episodes
We sit down with Steven Lerche, President of Goldstar and the Plumb Club, to unpack how a supplier-led group builds real connection across the jewelry and watch supply chain. We talk JCK, innovation, responsible sourcing, and why a shared mindset can beat a zero-sum approach in a fast-changing market.
Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe
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Mike is solo this week while everyone’s at RJO and IJO, so he's running through five jewelry industry topics that have been on his mind. I talk about faster fulfillment through dropshipping, the real-world ripple effects of tariffs, and why seemingly small website choices can make or break sales.
Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe
Learn about Punchmark's websi...
Mike sits down with outgoing AGS president Alexis Padis and incoming president Bryan Moeller to talk about what a smooth leadership handoff really takes and why education, ethics, and consumer protection keep the organization aligned.
We also discuss the upcoming AGS Conclave, the pressures reshaping jewelry retail, and how independent jewelers can earn trust with today’s hyper-informed customers.
Mike talks with Peter Smith about why selling stays “Essentially Human” even as AI and short-form content reshape how people pay attention. Along the way, we pull practical lessons from stories about music, used cars, pricing, and resilience that help you sell with more clarity and less anxiety.
Learn more about Stratus Estate Buyers: stratusestatebuyers.com
The marketing world moves FAST, which is why Michael checked-in with Digital Marketing Manager at Punchmark, Hope Bellair, to ask if these 10 Digital Marketing techniques still matter. Hope gets candid with us about everything from hashtags and following counts to AEO and Podcasts. You won't wanna miss this one!
Learn more about Stratus Estate Buyers: stratusestatebuyers.com
Mike sits down with retail jeweler and podcaster Andy Koehn to talk about why many men feel lost in jewelry stores and what actually helps them buy an engagement ring with confidence. We get into meaning over metrics, why the story matters more than the 4 Cs, and how a simple book became an unexpectedly powerful tool for earning trust and closing sales.
Learn more about Stratus Estate Buyers: stratusestatebuyers.com
Mike discusses a surprisingly great purchasing experience he recently had at a... Lumber Mill. This had him thinking deeper about ways retailers can pull out practical omnichannel lessons jewelry stores can use right away.
He focuses on what made the experience feel premium and stress free, then translate those moves into ways to rebuild trust, delight, and loyalty in modern jewelry retail.
Learn more about Stratus Estate Buyer...
Mike sits down with Yoav Singer from UNI Diamonds to unpack what their real-time marketplace data reveals about diamond pricing, buyer behavior, and where demand is actually moving. We also talk through how tariffs, gold prices, memo, and better education are reshaping how retailers source stones and build trust with shoppers.
Learn more about Stratus Estate Buyers: stratusestatebuyers.com
Mike goes solo and shares five real-life ways jewelry shows up in our world, from a family brooch tradition to the surprising value hidden in old coins. Along the way, we unpack what “worth it” really means when selling an old piece of jewelry.
Learn more about Stratus Estate Buyers: stratusestatebuyers.com
Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe
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Mike sits down with Justin VanMatre from Stratus Estate Buyers to unpack how in-store estate buying events work and why they can feel like a limited-time “carnival” that brings new energy into a jewelry store. They discuss the economics, the trust factor, and the real-world mix of items people bring when they need cash or clarity.
Learn more: stratusestatebuyers.com
Mike sits down with Andre Woons from Nivoda on what it takes to help jewelers sell from global inventory while keeping fulfillment fast, reliable, and margin-friendly. We also dig into why gemstones are harder to sell online, how in-store tools change the customer journey, and what comes next with finished jewelry and flexible credit.
Learn More about Nivoda: https://nivoda.com/
Recorded LIVE from the 2026 Punchmark Client Workshop in Charlotte, NC!
Mike sits down with Lenny Prion, the voice and educator so many jewelers know as “Lenny from The Edge,” to talk about the early days of The EDGE Point of Sale system and what he learned from working for many years in a retail jewelry store. We dig into how reporting, reorders, inventory aging, and smart automation can make a store run calmer, faster,...
Recorded LIVE from the 2026 Punchmark Client Workshop in Charlotte, NC!
Mike sat down with Cole Rowland from Ware's Jewelers to unpack his jump from jewelry vendor to first-generation store owner at Ware's Jewelers. He transparent about what it takes to buy a jewelry store after running a going out of business sale, rebuild inventory and credit, and earn the trust of a community that already has sky-high expectations.
We break down retargeting as clienteling at scale and explain why it feels like ads “follow you” after you browse jewelry online.
Hope Bellair shares practical ways to segment audiences, choose platforms, set budgets, and measure success beyond last-click sales.
Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe
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Mike breaks down the real differences between Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Discord so you can choose a communication platform that fits your team size, tools, and day-to-day work.
We also call out why group Gmail threads, group texts, and WhatsApp usually create noise instead of clarity and how to build a single source of truth.
Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe
Stephen Barnes shares what his first year as owner of IJO really looked like, from decision-making and show strategy to staying grounded when gold prices swing. We talk through how independent jewelers can win with stronger vendor partnerships, smarter education, and a practical approach to tech and e-commerce.
Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe
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Mike talks through the loss of his grandmother and the unexpected way her jewelry becomes a bridge between grief, family history, and love.
He shares the story of how an immigrant life, a box of jewelry on a bed, and one garnet brooch shape his view of what jewelry is really for.
Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe
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Michael talks with David Berdugo, CEO of Caratwise, about why custom jewelry sales break down when momentum stalls and how better UX helps independent jewelers give confident answers fast. We dig into transparency, real-time design, and the ring builder choices that turn “imagine it” into “see it now.”
https://www.caratwise.com/
Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: pun...
We check in with Ross Cockerham about Punchmark’s sprint into faster payments, a rebuilt Vendor Marketing Library, and a shift to a proactive client strategy. Along the way we talk AEO, rising AoVs, and why human support still drives the biggest wins.
Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe
Learn about Punchmark's website platform: punchmark.com
Inquire about spo...
Mike talks through four topics not about jewelry that he has been paying attention to that can help reframe the jewelry conversation in a new and interesting way.
The crashing of the rare plant market, an Olympian who capitalized on the spotlight, how publishing Instagram Reels helps with reach in 2026, and a book release event.
Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe
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