26
thePeorian.com
F
or decades, perhaps even
centuries, men have
known there is one gift
item with which they can never
go wrong: jewelry.
With few exceptions, the gift
of jewelry equates to love and
happiness, local jewelers said.
“
We are selling happiness,
no question about it,” said Bob
Woolsey, co-owner of Jones
Bros. Jewelers in Peoria. “We are
holding a person’s hand through
a very important time in their life.
When you’re in this business you
can’t help but love what you do.”
Curt Stubbs, co-owner of Potter
&
Anderson Jewelry, said trends
and styles may change and prices
may vary piece to piece, but
one thing remains constant: the
sentimental value it brings to the
giver and recipient.
“
Things of value have value.
I mean, what is the one thing
people will run back into a
burning house to get? Their
jewelry. So it is not as frivolous as
some may seem to think,” Stubbs
said.
“
But it’s more than that, the
value it brings to a person’s heart,
to their life,” he added.
To illustrate the point, Stubbs
said many are surprised to learn
that the jewelry industry doesn’t
suffer badly in a down economy.
Even his grandfather, who
founded Potter & Anderson and
guided it through the depression,
learned that men would put off
buying small items so they could
save their money to buy their
wives a nice piece of jewelry for
an anniversary or Christmas. “It
meant so much more to them
because it was so unexpected.
You just can’t really put a price
tag on that,” he said.
Woolsey said Americans are
“
very much a consumption
society in that we like to spend
money on nice things. And if
you’re in love, what better time to
spend it on jewelry?”
He noted there are plenty of
opportunities to do that, usually
starting with an engagement
ring, then anniversary gifts and,
of course, Valentine’s Day. The
latter two, Woolsey said, “are
consistent gift-giving events. Any
piece is popular; whatever she
wants works best.”
Men are usually the buyer
if it’s a gift that signifies love.
But that’s only because of their
nature, Woolsey said. “Women
would love to buy their men
jewelry, but as a rule men don’t
want much more than their
wedding ring and a watch.
Maybe cuff links for men who
still like to dress up for work or
special occasions,” he said.
SELLING LOVE: JEWELRY
Whether It’s Flashy or Sedate,
Jewelry Equals Love
by Paul Gordon
The Present
This necklace and the pieces on the following two pages show some
of the jewelry one can find at Potter & Anderson Jewelry in Peoria.
