In the Loupe

Lenny from The EDGE's First Podcast Interview // LIVE!

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

What You Learn in Your First Year as a Jewelry Retailer ft. Cole from Ware's Jewelers // LIVE!

28 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 fr...

Why Those Engagement Ring Ads Keep Finding You ft. Hope Bellair

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We break down retargeting as clienteling at scale and explain why it feels like ads “follow you” after you browse jewelry online. Hope Bellair sh...

Breaking Down the Best - Group Communication (Slack, Teams, Discord, Gmail)

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Mike breaks down the real differences between Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Discord so you can choose a communication platform that fits your team size,...

What Stephen Barnes Learned from His First Year as Owner of IJO

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Steven Barnes shares what his first year as owner of IJO really looked like, from decision-making and show strategy to staying grounded when gold pric...

How Jewelry Can Help Us Remember a Loved One

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Mike talks through the loss of hi grandmother and the unexpected way her jewelry becomes a bridge between grief, family history, and love. He shares ...

How to Secure the Same Day Yes ft. Caratwise

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Michael talks with David Berdugo, CEO of Caratwise, about why custom jewelry sales break down when momentum stalls and how better UX helps independent...

Proactive by Design: How Punchmark Is Reshaping Online Jewelry Retail

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Four Stories That Reframe Jewelry & Luxury Business

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 inte...

Exclusive First Interview with Edge Retail Academy's New CEO ft. Becka Johnson Kibby

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Mike sits down with Becka Johnson Kibby, the new CEO of Edge Retail Academy, to unpack real jewelry retail benchmarks, smarter inventory moves, and t...

Physical Retail, The Beginning or the End? ft. Peter Smith

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if brick‑and‑mortar isn’t dying, but splitting into winners and roadkill? We sit down with Peter Smith, former Hearts On Fire president, co...

Gold, Growth, And Getting Better ft. Ostbye

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We talk with Ostbye president Craig MacBean about leading through volatility, integrating a business acquisition without losing its soul, and why stay...

Gold At $5,000... Let's Talk About It ft. David Siminski

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss gold’s leap past $5,000 (and back) and unpack why refiners are pausing intake even as demand soars. David Siminski explains the credit an...

Charming Commerce ft. Rembrandt Charms

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We talk with Eric Lux, President of Rembrandt Charms, about why charms convert so well online, how vertical integration keeps shelves stocked, and wha...

Unpacking 2025 Engagement Ring Trends & Data ft. StoneAlgo

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We bring back StoneAlgo's CEO, Devin Jones, to share how a human concierge turns website visitors into verified, high-intent appointments. We als...

Season 7 Kickoff: What I'm Thinking About for 2026

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We set the tone for Season 7 with a focus on substance: vendor stories without the pitch, real data that guides decisions, and platform upgrades that ...

Wrapping Up 2025 - The Best Bits

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We close the season by revisiting ten standout moments that shaped a year of change, from AI pricing and buying group leadership to gold’s surge, fa...

2025 Jewelry E‑Commerce Performance Explained

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We chart the rebound of jewelry e‑commerce in 2025, why average order value climbed, and how Cyber Monday pulled ahead of Black Friday online. We sh...

Agentic Marketing, Explained

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We unpack how agentic AI shifts marketing from reactive prompts to proactive systems that watch behavior, answer real questions, and stretch budgets. ...

5 Tips to Prep Your Store for Black Friday

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mike shares five practical fundamental tips to prepare your jewelry store for Black Friday and the holidays. Quick wins stack up: show energy, make ho...

The AWS Outage and Why It Matters

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We break down how a small DNS error inside AWS rippled into a global outage, and why it affected everything from uploads to streaming to... beds? Andy...

Retailer Roundtable: Doing Things Differently This Holiday Season

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael is joined by three independent jewelers who share how they protect margins, create memorable offers, and keep teams sharp during the busiest w...

How A Family Pearl Farm Went Viral ft. Kamoka Pearls

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mike talks with Komoka’s Josh Humbert about his family pearl farm in Tahiti rebuilt its methods around eco-farming and sustainable handling of oyste...

A Woven Vision ft. Malo Bands

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We trace Malo Bands’ journey from handwoven artistry to a tech-enabled, service-first business, and how listening to retailers turned beautiful show...

From Zero to One, Let's Talk About Vendor Data

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mike shares how he's helping rebuild Punchmark’s Premium Vendor Program from a one-way data pipe into a two-way system that gives vendors and r...

The Balancing Act Every CEO Must Manage ft. Ross Cockerham

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mike sits down with his boss Ross Cockerham, Punchmark Co-Founder & CEO, about how he balances attending trade shows and events vs. being present ...

What Shoppers Plan to Buy This Year ft. Podium

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Melisa Monroe from Podium shares exclusive insights from a recent consumer survey of nearly 1000 prospective shoppers about projected holiday spending...

Marketing Through Q4 and Beyond ft. Hope Bellair

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Digital marketing expert Hope Bellair shares insights from HubSpot's Inbound 25 conference and tailored Q4 marketing strategies for different typ...

5 Jewelry Industry Topics You Should Be Paying Attention To

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The jewelry industry is evolving with significant technological, market, and policy developments that are reshaping how businesses operate and connect...

Let's Talk with Ring Buyers (Part 5): A Custom Engagement Ring Journey

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael interviews his eldest brother, Joseph, about his custom engagement ring process with Vincent from Arezzo Jewelers, revealing that custom proje...

Listen First, Lead Second: 1 Year of Leading AGS ft. President Alexis Padis

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Alexis Padis, President of AGS, shares insights from her first year of leadership and discusses her vision for the organization's future after be...

Everything You Need to Know About the NEW ChatGPT-5

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

GPT-5 has arrived with meaningful improvements in logical reasoning, processing speed, and the ability to dynamically switch between models based on t...

Analyzing 10 Jewelry E-Commerce Stats from H2 2025

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael dives into data pulled directly from the Punchmark E-Commerce platform for Q1 & Q2 of 2025. Punchmark services only the Jewelry industry, ...

Steering the Ship: Exclusive First Interview with RJO's New President, Bill Becker

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the Loupe EXCLUSIVEBill Becker, new President of the Retail Jewelers Organization (RJO), shares his perspective on the organization's growth f...

An AI-Powered Ring Designer That Actually Works ft. StoneAlgo

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

StoneAlgo's new Jeweler OS product is revolutionizing how jewelers convert website traffic into sales by generating real, manufacturable CAD file...

Beating the Summer Slump: Services to Drive In-Store Traffic

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s no secret that summer can be a slower season for retail, and the jewelry industry is no exception. After the excitement of spring engagements a...

I Went to the Biggest Jewelry Show in the World!

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael recounts his journey through the JCK Las Vegas jewelry show, discusses notable jewelry trends, and the value of in-person industry relationshi...

Maximizing Client Retention ft. John Liebler of Clientbook

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

John Liebler, formerly of Signet and currently VP of Operations at Clientbook, shares how independent jewelers can maximize sales through client reten...

The King's Diamond Dealer ft. Gems by Pancis

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kyle Pancis from Gems by Pancis shares the fascinating world of fancy colored diamonds, revealing how a royal connection in Belgium launched his famil...

Breaking Down the Best - Atlassian (Trello, Jira, Confluence)

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Atlassian is a suite of products including Jira, Confluence, and Trello.The Atlassian suite offers powerful tools for business organization and knowle...

I Went to the FOURTH Punchmark Client Workshop and All I Got Was This Podcast Episode

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Mike for a behind the scenes look at Punchmark's annual Client Workshop in Charlotte, NC, offering a glimpse into what makes this educationa...

Retailer Roundtable: Hosting Events and Predicting Trends in Retail

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Marketing professionals Lisa-Marie Delgado from Gary J. Long Jewelers &Aurora Simpson from Holliday Jewelry share insights on retail strategies, e...

Vendor Roundtable: Gold Prices, Tariffs, and JCK Prep ft. Ostbye & Brevani

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael hosts a LIVE Vendor Roundtable at the 2025 Punchmark Client Workshop, featuring Jordan Peck from Brevani and Craig MacBean from Ostbye jewelry...

Let's Talk with Ring Buyers (Part 4)

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael's childhood friend, Taylor, shares his journey of designing a custom engagement ring with a lab-grown sapphire centerpiece, highlighting ...

What I Learned About Business Marketing from Hosting a Solo Art Exhibition

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Drawing from his recent experience hosting a solo watercolor exhibition, Michael Burpoe shares marketing strategies that business owners can apply to ...

What the Heck Is Happening In the Jewelry World ft. Michelle Graff, Editor-in-Chief at National Jeweler

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michelle Graff, editor-in-chief of National Jeweler, shares insights on unprecedented industry challenges including record-high gold prices and fluctu...

Why Now is the Best Time to Try E-commerce

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Now is the perfect time for jewelers to explore e-commerce as an additional revenue stream, especially during economic uncertainty. Having your produc...

Pearls, Pearls, Pearls ft. Matt Harris

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pearls are one of the oldest, most influential gems the world has ever known with a rich history dating back well over 5,000 years. Matt Harris shares...

Jade, and Why It's so Misunderstood ft. Jewels of the Trade

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jordan Wentz, or Jewels of the Trade, shares her expertise on jade, one of the most misunderstood gemstones in the jewelry world, explaining its histo...

Why Is the Price of Gold so Darn High?? ft. David Siminski

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

David Siminski, a refiner with 32 years of experience at United Precious Metals in Buffalo, shares his expertise on gold's dramatic price surge, ...

Retailer Roundtable: Navigating the Jewelry Year

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mike is joined by a panel of retail jewelers to talk about how they navigate the Jewelry Year. From when they schedule in their annual vacations, whic...

When It Snows, You Win: Inside the World of Prize Indemnity Insurance ft. Tokio Marine HCC

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Prize indemnity insurance might sound like a dry financial topic, but Robin Lang from Tokio Marine HCC reveals it's actually one of the most exci...

From President to Owner: an Interview with Stephen Barnes of IJO

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For an exclusive first interview, Michael interviews Stephen Barnes, newly announced Owner and President of IJO about what the changes mean for him, I...

The Art of the Campaign ft. Buzz Advertising Agency

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael speaks with Bri Black from Buzz Advertising Agency and Hope Bellair, Digital Marketing Manager at Punchmark, for a discussion on the art of cr...

We Are In the Loupe!

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the Loupe, is an award winning podcast for jewelers, produced by Punchmark, the Jewelry Industry’s FAVORITE website platform. In the Loupe is mad...

I Tried Virtual Reality (VR) So You Don't Have To

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Virtual Reality (VR) is growing in popularity, and as the technology improves, so do the opportunities for use in real life. Michael has explored VR w...

Sustainable Practices & Sibling Business Partnerships ft. Brevani

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Brevani, an offshoot jewelry brand of Color Merchants, owners Jordan & Allison Peck share their innovative journey in the jewelry industry, focusi...

Breaking Down the Best - Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms, & Slides)

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are taking a deep dive into the Google Workspace Suite of tools. These free tools are cloud based and able to be accessed in minutes after th...

Jewelry Buying Events Are Having a Moment ft. National Rarities

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael sits down with Justin VanMatre of National Rarities to discuss what the last year of estate buying events looked like, what the most commonly ...

The Jeweler's Ace Up Their Sleeve ft. Jewel-Craft

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Meet the unsung heroes of the jewelry world as Mike speaks with Stefanie Wesdorp from Jewel-Craft, a fourth-generation family business that handles se...

Streamlining Jewelry Recruitment: Transform Your Hiring Process with JewelLink ft. William Jones IV

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Michael as he speaks with William Jones IV from Sissy's Log Cabin as we explore JewelLink, a cutting-edge recruiting tool revolutionizing ho...

By the Numbers: A Look Back at 2024's Metrics & More

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We are back! Mike shares e-commerce trends from Punchmark's data, focusing on average cart value and sales performance across different months an...

Wrapping Up 2024 - The Best Bits

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the final episode of Season 5, which means Mike is giving you a tour of all of the best bits from this season. This is the 50th episode fro...

Marketing & Jewelry Trends for 2025 ft. Hope Bellair

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mike sat down to chat with Hope Bellair, Punchmark's Digital Marketing Manager, exploring the booming resurgence of event-based marketing and the...

Crafting a Marketing Symphony: Social Media Strategies for Every Platform

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Unlock the secrets to creating a harmonious marketing strategy with our latest episode, "Marketing Symphony." Each channel has it's own...

8 To-Dos for Your Administrative Checklist to Manage Your E-Commerce Website Better

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The holiday season brings a rush of online shoppers, making it crucial for retail jewelers to ensure their e-commerce sites are in top shape. With a w...

One of a Kind Jewelry with Omi Privé ft. Niveet Nagpal

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Omi was founded nearly 35 years ago by Omi Nagpal and his wife, Preeti, whose family were ruby miners dating back to 19th century Burma. Later, their ...

Mastering Black Friday: Elevate Your Store's Success ft. Hope Bellair

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Prepare to transform your online presence into a powerhouse of holiday cheer. We discuss how to maintain an omni-channel experience that seamlessly co...

How to Use Email Marketing to Market Smarter ft. Hope Bellair & Sarah Weekes

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Email marketing has the power to elevate your traffic to new heights. Mike sits down with Hope Bellair, Punchmark's Digital Marketing Manager, an...

Prepping for the Busy Season ft. Ray Lantz of The Diamond Center

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you open every day between Black Friday and Christmas Eve? Do you close between Boxing Day and New Years? Do you have VIP events or "Guys Nig...

The Holiday Website Tune-Up ft. Jason Adams

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Michael is joined by Jason Adams, Director of Education at Punchmark, to discuss how to get your website ready for the busiest time of the year, and e...

ChatGPT in Daily Life: Tips and Tales

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

AI has been the buzzword of the last few years, but its accessibility for everyday people can feel limited as some use cases require extra downloads a...

The Story Behind Bad Art Nice Watch ft. Bryan Braddy

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bryan Braddy, the talented artist behind Bad Art Nice Watch, shares how he has created a business out of helping tell the captivating tales of luxury ...

Building a Lasting Brand ft. Constance Polamalu from Birthright Foundry

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mike sits down with Constance Polamalu , the founder of Birthright Foundry to talk about the latest updates to her jewelry line since they last spoke ...

In the Loupe Episode 200: Transforming the Jewelry Industry Through Podcasting

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cheers to Episode 200 of In the Loupe! Whether you've been with us since the beginning, or this is your first episode, thanks for joining us!Join...

The 2024 EDGE Workshop: Recapped ft. Ross Cockerham

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Michael sits down with Ross Cockerham, CEO & Co-Founder of Punchmark, who recently got back from The EDGE Workshop in Connecticut. They discuss wh...

Get a Head Start on Holiday Promotions with Hope Bellair

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's time to start thinking about your holiday marketing and begin planning for this year's busy season! Mike speaks with Hope Bellair, Punc...

Expectations & Ease of Use: Breaking Down the Best with Moo.com

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Mike talks through his favorite website to order from, and the consistency that has made them stand out to him for nearly 8 years. Moo.com ...

After the Trade Shows but Before the Holidays: Retailer Roundtable ft. Lee Elgin & Vincent Spilotro

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mike sits down with Lee Elgin from Elgin Fine Jewelry and Vincent Spilotro from Arezzo Jewelers for a Retailer Roundtable to talk about how the trade ...

Exciting News: In the (Gem)Loupe!

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Announcing the first In the Loupe giveaway of 2024, powered by Picup Media! Join Michael and Marius as they unbox and demo a new GemLoupe, and the man...

A Year of Leading IJO with President Stephen Barnes

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as Stephen Barnes, President of IJO, shares the journey of his first year in leadership. Stephen recounts his experiences leading IJO, highlig...

Revolutionizing Wedding Bands ft. Tailored Rings

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Could a simple hinge revolutionize the way you wear your wedding band? Join Michael as he speaks with Hunter Taylor, the mind behind Tailored Rings, a...

Leading Sissy's Log Cabin to New Heights: An Interview with President William Jones IV

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Curious about what it takes to lead a family jewelry business to new heights? Mike sits down with William Jones IV, the newly appointed President of S...

The Latest In Digital Marketing ft. Hope Bellair

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mike meets with Hope Bellair, who leads the Punchmark Digital Marketing team, about her recent presentation at IJO: Chicago, as well as to tease her u...

An Inside Look at Ostbye’s Acquisition of Victor Corporation with Craig MacBean

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mike sits down with Craig MacBean, President and fourth generation owner of jewelry powerhouse Ostbye to learn more their recent acquisition of Victor...

Innovation and Family Balance: A Conversation with Punchmark's Ross Cockerham

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mike is joined by CEO of Punchmark, Ross Cockerham, to have a conversation about the latest season of jewelry trade shows, innovations at Punchmark, a...

From Vendor to Retailer: Cole Rowland's Journey in the Jewelry Industry

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you carry INOX Men's Jewelry, you've probably met Cole Rowland at a jewelry show, as he traveled to almost every jewelry show imaginable ...

Omni-Channel Examples In Every Day Life

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Omni-Channel is a term used in ecommerce and retail to describe a business strategy that aims to provide a seamless shopping experience across all cha...

Transforming Business with AI: From Tire Shops to Jewelry ft. Podium Co-Founder Dennis Steele

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered how to turn a small local business into an industry giant? Join Mike as he speaks with Dennis Steele, the Co-Founder of Podium, who shar...

Exclusive First Interview with AGS President, Alexis Padis

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What does it take to lead one of the most respected organizations in the jewelry industry? Mike sits down with Alexis Padis, the newly appointed Presi...

AI's Impact on Jewelry Design: Insights from Jewelers Advantage ft. Richard McCarthy & Jesse Korby

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Michael sits down with the two minds behind Jeweler's Advantage, the AI Powered tool designed to help elevate  jewelry stores to new heights. Th...

Shaping the Future of Jewelry: an Interview with RJO's Leadership Team

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The winds of change are blowing through the corridors of family-owned jewelry businesses. Mike spoke with 3 members of the RJO Board about where RJO i...

LIVE: Next Generation Jewelry Retailer Roundtable ft. Fall's Jewelers & Kiefer Jewelers

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was recorded LIVE from the 3rd Annual Punchmark Client Workshop in Charlotte, NC!Mike was join by Alex Schlindwein (also known as Diamond...

I Went to the THIRD Punchmark Client Workshop and All I Got Was This Podcast Episode

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Mike for an exciting vlog-style podcast episode as he takes you behind the scenes of the THIRD annual Punchmark Client Workshop, in Charlotte, NC...

Coming Soon on In the Loupe!

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mike is away at the 3rd Annual Punchmark Client Workshop and teases a few upcoming episodes he is excited about! See you next week!Send us a text Sen...

Mastering Instagram and Digital Presence with Savannah Kell

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mike meets with Savannah Kell, Junior Designer at Punchmark, to talk about everything she's done to renovate the Punchmark Instagram account, wha...

The Jeweler's Touch: Custom Jewelry Design and Content Creation ft. Jack Custom Jewelry

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Jack, the creator behind Jack Custom Jewelry on social media, is known for his mesmerizing time-lapse social media showcases. From snowflake rin...

The AI Digital Sorting Hat ft. Daniel Sirois

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Prepare to be amazed as we uncover the transformative impact of AI on your business's online strategy. This episode, featuring the insightful Dan...

Telling Time: The Art of Luxury Watch Photography ft. Coe Group

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Unlock the secrets of luxury watch photography with photographers and fellow RIT alumnus, Chris Coe and Adam Antalek of Coe Group.  We cover the dema...

The Art of Storytelling // Breaking Down the Best - Huckberry

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you are selling luxury jewelry or luxury jackets, the art of storytelling is an important one that helps a shopper make the leap of faith that...