I. Gorman Jewelers

Mar 5

WASHINGTON D.C.

In their own words

“I came into the business about 25 years ago. We’re in our second location, and it all started with my parents’ idea of wanting to own something special, more boutique-like. We designed and built the second store about ten years ago. We wanted an urban, fresh environment that, when you walk in the door, is welcoming. We have a contemporary gallery with a lot of feeling within the walls.”

-Adam Gorman

Jason’s Interview with Adam

Jason

Today we're talking to Adam Gorman from I. Gorman Jewelers in Washington D.C. How did you get into the jewelry industry?

Adam

My sister and I are third-generation jewelers. Our grandfather started a single jewelry store from selling timepieces on the railroads back in the 1940s. He started by selling stopwatches and pocket watches to the railroad employees. And that started the entire process of realizing that he had something there and he opened up a jewelry store in Washington D.C. At their largest, they grew to about 27 stores in the Washington area. So, I really grew up in the business.

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Jason
How many stores are there now?

Adam
They are no longer in business. They sold the business back in the early `90s after my grandfather and his business partner passed away. It got passed down through the family, but it wasn't quite the same and the business eventually ended up selling to a larger chain.

Jason
What was it like being able to open I. Gorman?

Adam
My sister and I have been so fortunate to have had I. Gorman Jewelers since 1981. We're going on about 40 years and the business was started by our parents Ivan and Bonnie Gorman. I came in the business about 25 years ago and the business has since grown many times over. We're in our second location and it really all started from my parent’s idea of wanting to own something special.

Jason
Why do you think you have so many five-star reviews?

Adam
I think it goes back to taking excellent care of people and providing them with an experience that stands out. This is a long-term business for us. And we're so lucky that we've had the ability to work with our clients from many years ago, and now with their children and sometimes even grandkids. That’s the most memorable thing. I believe that if we can have the right type of environment and carry the right type of product and, above all, service people and take care of people in a way that stands out to them, then we can maintain that relationship for a lifetime.

Jason
How do you like to make your customers feel when they walk into your store?

Adam
We designed and built the store about 10 years ago. And one of our missions with the architects was to create a fresh, unique environment that has warmth. We did not want an open-space cold store. We wanted to have a level of comfortability right when you walk in and we wanted people to really feel that. We have a contemporary gallery. However, there's a lot of warmth and feeling within the walls.

Jason
Tell us about some top designers. What are some that are coming top of your mind?

Adam
We've been so lucky to work with absolutely amazing artists. We go to different shows around the world. We work with a designer from Rio de Janeiro named Antonio Bernardo who is an incredible master of jewelry design. We've been carrying his work for a number of years and it just continues to elevate and grow. We work with designers in the bridal business as well. We do a lot of engagement rings and wedding bands. We have a unique set of customers as well. We work with an incredible designer who specializes in a lot of vintage stones. They go by the name Single Stone based out of Los Angeles. They've risen and helped solidify the vintage mark in the jewelry industry over the past several years.

Jason
Tell us about the causes and things you do for your community.

Adam
Being in the Washington area for three generations, the city is so important to us. The ability to be able to give back is a big part of what we do, and we partner with lots of different types of charities. We love to work directly with some of our customers and the important charities that are meaningful to them. We had an event here in the store a couple years ago for underprivileged kids that don't have opportunities in Cuba. Different partnerships, different organizations, we try to not focus all on one.

Jason
Why do you think people trust you?

Adam
It starts with the notion that my grandfather told me: a person isn't looking for jewelry. They're looking for a jeweler. They're in search of a relationship. And of course, there's a product attached to that. But the trust gets built when they enter the store and they're able to have an experience that is no pressure. It's really about getting to know who they are, what their wishes are, how they envision wearing their jewelry, and what it means to them. It doesn't happen the first time you meet someone, or sometimes even the second time. But after enough of taking care of people in the same way over and over again, it starts to solidify, and the trust gets built.

Jason
In terms of proposals, I'm sure you've heard a lot of them. What's one or two that stand out to you?

Adam
I'm always blown away by the amount of thought and creative energy people put into their proposals. I mean, it goes so far beyond just the purchasing of the ring and the presentation. I just had an experience recently that was really fun. It was a couple that was extremely into crossword puzzles and part of how they spend their weekends was, Sunday mornings with The New York Times doing a crossword puzzle together. In preparation for the ring proposal, he had a crossword puzzle custom-made that appeared to be within a magazine. And while they were doing the crossword on Sunday, it spelled out her name and “Will You Marry Me?” He was standing there with a ring in his hand, waiting for her to kind of get the hint. When she was explaining this to us, she broke down in tears.

Jason
Here's your chance to say whatever you like to Meet the Jewelers. Go for it.

Adam
I’d love to invite anyone in the Washington area or outside of D.C. to come visit our store. We provide a really unique experience. We just recently built a bar in our store. We call it the Wedding Band Bar. And the Wedding Band Bar is there for couples that come in to shop for a wedding band and we're able to toast a couple glasses of champagne. We have an incredible bourbon selection. People have had so much fun in our store. It's about them and it's about the special times in their lives. And we are here to help them have fun doing it.