Dahlkemper’s Jewelry Connection

Apr 20

In their own words

“Our store is all windows—light and bright. We have about 3,000 square feet. We have lots of merchandise, but we focus on diamonds and bridal jewelry. When you come in, you’re welcomed. We are not on commission, and that is something we decided at the very beginning.”

-Christine Dahlkemper

Jason’s Interview with Christine

Jason

Come with me to Meet the Jewelers. Today, we get to talk to Christine from Dahlkemper’s Jewelry Connection. How'd you get into the Industry?

Christine

My first job out of college was for a catalog showroom company owned by my future in-laws, unbeknownst to me. I worked in the corporate headquarters. They started the business in 1956. They started in a tiny wholesale store which grew into the catalog showroom. They were one of the founding members nationally with some other big retailers. They sold everything from sporting goods to electronics to housewares to jewelry to baby goods—fourteen stores in three states.

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I worked there for many years, met my husband, and we got married. That segment of the company closed down in 1994. And so, my husband and I, being home without a job and five children to feed said, “What are we going to do?” So, he and I opened Dahlkemper’s Jewelry Connection in 1995 and we're celebrating twenty-five years this year.

Jason
What was it about jewelry that made you and your husband decide to open?

Christine
I love jewelry. That segment of the business in the catalog showroom industry was very strong. Loyal customers. Through our personal love for it, as well as the good business results, we put together a business plan and decided that's where we wanted to focus our efforts.

Jason
What is it like to be inside your store?

Christine
We strive to make everybody feel very welcome. Our store is all windows, very light, very bright. We have about 3,000 square feet. We have lots of merchandise, but we focus on diamonds and bridal jewelry, engagement rings, wedding bands, anniversary gifts. That's our priority. We consider what we do a mission to make people happy, find what they need, and hopefully make their day better than it was when they first walked in.

Jason
What's different about your store that drives people there?

Christine
Well, there's no pressure. We are very good at what we do. We are highly educated. Everyone who works in our store has to go through GIA at some level. They know what they're talking about. We do customs, we do appraisals, we take care of estates. We care about all of those things.

Jason
If you're going to describe your brand in three words, what would they be?

Christine
Friendly, professional, and caring.

Jason
Can you talk about two or three standout pieces in your showcase?

Christine
It changes all the time. But currently, we're working on an absolutely stunning surprise gift. A good customer of ours is ready to make the leap into a major piece of jewelry. We're sourcing a specific center diamond for him. We're very excited to be working on such a high-end piece. We're in Erie, Pennsylvania, and we don't do a lot of that level, but we enjoy it.

Jason
You've had a chance to be part of a lot of proposal experiences. What are some amazing ways you've seen it done?

Christine
We've heard so many great stories, from the exotic to the private proposals. There's so much pressure out there for these guys to put on a major production. We're finding a return now to more private.

Jason
Are there any cool trends that you see in your store?

Christine
Everything that goes around comes around. We're starting to get back into the yellow gold craze now, which I personally have always loved. We're doing a lot of solitaires now. I think people want clean and simple. The single stone seems to be where the trends are going. It feels like we're going back to the classics.

Jason
What do you think differentiates you?

Christine
Number one, we're family and independently owned. We care about our customers. We are very competitive. We don't just expect to be successful. We know everybody wants to get the best deal and they also want to be treated in the very best way. We work hard to know what is fair. We stand behind everything we sell. We give excellent service and so many of our customers become friends. We've seen several generations now. Two out of our five children work in the store as well, so we actually have the third generation in our store.

Jason
You do a lot for the community. Are there any top charities that you want to tell us about?

Christine
We do so many donations in a year, it’s hard to keep track. Even if it's a small little fundraiser to help somebody with medical expenses, we always try to give something. We participate with Shriners Home for Children, Mercy Center for Women. We partner with some of the larger organizations, the American Heart Association, the Cancer Society. We contribute to over one hundred organizations every year.

Jason
Here's your opportunity to say whatever you like to Meet the Jewelers.

Christine
We are excited to meet you. We are excited to help you find whatever it is you might be looking for. You can trust and know that we care about you and what happens after the sale. We are always going to be here for you. We take very good care of all of our friends.