JCK magazine is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year! To commemorate that milestone, we’re talking to 150 veteran jewelry professionals in 2019 for a feature series meant to distill the voices of some of the industry’s most enduring and successful professionals.

We can’t print every interview in its entirety in the magazine—so we’ve been posting full interviews here on JCKonline every Thursday.

This week, we hear from Jenny Luker, U.S. president of Platinum Guild International, about her time in the industry and what JCK means to her. 

JCK: How long have you been in the jewelry industry?

Jenny Luker: I’ve been in the jewelry industry for 23 years, all of which, I am very happy to say, have been with Platinum Guild International. PGI was my first job out of college, and I was in a master’s program in sociology at the time.

My intention was to only stay two years at PGI while I finished school. However, the opportunities that PGI has provided over the years, the great work that we are able to do, and the amazing people in this industry that we’re fortunate enough to work with have made this a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I always say that once you’re in this business, it’s hard to leave!

In what major ways has the industry changed since you’ve been in it? 

The jewelry industry has seen many changes over the last 20 years, but I believe the most impact has come from technology that’s radically changed our business and our customers.

In the late ’90s, we used to do business with fax machines and desktop computers, and business (and life in general), seemed to be lived at a much slower pace. With the introduction of social media and e-commerce—with access to everything at the touch of a button—it’s now a much more complex environment in which we do business. It’s changed how we market, how we sell, how we educate, and how we shop.

What’s your experience with JCK magazine? 

PGI has been a long-term supporter of JCK magazine. We had significant print advertising programs with JCK in the late ’90s, when we were building the platinum business in the U.S.

The magazine was instrumental in featuring editorial pieces about platinum and ensuring that retailers were exposed to new platinum designs available in the market.

As JCK moved into the digital space, PGI shifted alongside the publication and continued to support those efforts with advertising and promotions. I look forward to the JCK News Daily, which keeps me up-to-date on all the latest news, and I enjoy reading the printed magazine with more in-depth articles and insights.

What was your first impression of JCK magazine, and how has it changed over the years?

JCK has always had a great team of editors and a strong editorial point of view, shaping the vision of the magazine over all of these years.

My first impression of the magazine was that it was a one-stop shop: business information, the latest in product design, and trends and industry news. Over the years, I’ve found that JCK also looks to the future, helping the industry determine what’s going to happen next, how it will affect the business, and what companies can do or need to do to stay competitive.

What do you think JCK‘s place in the industry is today?

I believe that today JCK provides a future-thinking lens for the industry and offers information, solutions, and tools that are valuable to growing the jewelry and watch business. It’s at the forefront of trends, business news, and information relevant to the trade.

Catch up on JCK’s 150th interviews:

Beth Gerstein, co-CEO of Brilliant Earth
Russell Shor, GIA senior industry analyst
Walter McTeigue, cofounder of McTeigue & McClelland
Caryl Capeci, president of Hearts On Fire
Eddie LeVian, CEO of Le Vian
Peggy Jo Donahue, freelance writer and former JCK editor-in-chief
Rebecca Moskal, jewelry marketing veteran

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