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.com every Thursday.
This week we hear from Andrea Hansen, founder of Luxe Intelligence.
JCK: How long have you been in the jewelry industry, and how has it changed since you joined?
Andrea Hansen: I have now been in the industry for over 33 years. So much has changed that sometimes the only way I recognize what we do is by looking at the actual gems—they’ve changed the least. Despite the challenges created by fundamental changes in consumer behavior and how we market ourselves, I find the changes exciting and the process of adapting to “new normals” rewarding. I have long thought of myself as a jewelry anthropologist, as my passion lies in understanding the why, how, what, and when of making our industry relevant to the consumers. This has been the most rewarding and challenging exercise of the past couple of decades in the biz.
What’s your experience with JCK magazine?
I have relied on JCK for years to help me become a “rounded” professional. Excelling in the business requires understanding issues affecting the pipeline as well as the reality on the retail floor. JCK has helped me connect the dots for two decades!
What has JCK magazine meant to you?
Knowledge, clarity, unity. Our industry is small, but spread across continents. JCK has brought it to my doorstep (well, in-box).
I first approached JCK as a marketing tool. At the time I was on the marketing/PR side of the industry, and JCK was the channel through which I professionally spoke to and with the industry. Over time, JCK became a more personal tool of education, self-improvement, and growth for me and in my roles in support of clients and brands.
Top: Andrea Hansen and husband Christopher (image via: @andreahansen92)
Catch up on all of JCK‘s 150th interviews:
Stephanie Gottlieb, jewelry designer
Barbara Palumbo, watch and jewelry industry writer
Roger Dery, gem cutter and cofounder of Gem Legacy
Joanne Teichman, managing director of Ylang 23
Todd Reed, founder and designer of Todd Reed
Jonathan Goldman, CEO of Frederick Goldman
Brian Gavin, diamond cutter and diamond jewelry retailer
Cecilia Gardner, former president and CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee and general counsel and director of the United States Kimberley Process Authority
Sarin Bachmann, event vice president of the JCK, Luxury, and Swiss Watch shows for Reed Jewelry Group
Dave Bonaparte, president and CEO of Jewelers of America
Ettagale Blauer, former JCK New York editor
Lee Siegelson, rare and collectible jewelry dealer and expert
Tamara and Amir Goldfiner, cofounders of Rahaminov Diamonds
Dallas Prince, founder of Dallas Prince Designs
Esther Fortunoff, president of Fortunoff Fine Jewelry
Terry Burman, former Signet chairman
Brandee Dallow, president and founder of Fine Girl Luxury Brand Building & Communications
Tom Chatham, CEO of Chatham Created Gems & Diamonds
Tom Heyman, partner, Oscar Heyman & Brothers
Duvall O’Steen, jewelry publicist, Luxury Brand Group
Pat Henneberry, founder and president of the Jewelry Coach
Marty Hurwitz, CEO of MVI Marketing
Hank B. Siegel, president of Hamilton Jewelers
Erica Courtney, jewelry designer
Robert Weldon, director of GIA’s Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center
Stuart Robertson, vice president of Gemworld
Bill Furman, longtime JCK magazine ad sales manager
Kathryn Kimmel, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of GIA
Katie Kinsella Murphy, owner of Kinney + Kinsella
Frank Dallahan, publisher, The Retailer Jeweler
Jen Cullen Williams, managing director of Luxury Brand Group
Sally Morrison, chief marketing officer of Lightbox
Susan M. Jacques, president and CEO of GIA
Marie Helene Morrow, president of Reinhold Jewelers
Jenny Luker, U.S. president of Platinum Guild International
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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