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We’re thrilled to talk with Beth Bernstein who is a jewelry designer, jewelry historian, author, editor of Bejeweled Magazine, and President of Plan B consulting.
Beth shares her insights on a wide range of topics from advice to emerging designers, to her new online magazine to the latest trends.
She has a romance going on with the legend, language, and sentiment behind the pieces. Her love for the story has inspired Beth to pen three books, with a fourth one in the works, and to spend the past twenty years as an editor and writer on the subject of jewels-old and new.
She is a die-hard jewelry fan, so much so that she has designed her own collection throughout the 90s and continues to create bespoke jewels.
Beth Bernstein is a jewelry historian, jewelry expert and collector of the period and modern jewels—a purveyor of all things sparkly.
She owns a comprehensive consulting agency Plan B which provides a roster of services in multiple facets of the jewelry industry. These include building, launching, and evolving designer brands and retail brick & mortar/online shops and curating designer shows and private collections.
Clickable Show Notes
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Question #1 Beth, clearly you have a deep love of jewelry. When did jewelry first capture your imagination and when did you realize it would become your career? Timestamp: [3:48]
Question #2 So Beth, since jewelry has become your life, what’s your favorite part about jewelry? Timestamp: [6:14]
Question #3 Well, you’ve certainly made good use of your English Literature degree from Boston University. You’ve been an editor and journalist in the field of jewelry for almost 20 years, and prior to that, you’ve covered fashion, beauty, and style for various magazines. With all that you’re doing now, do you still find time to write for other magazines, and did you tell me you were a wardrobe stylist for TV as well? Timestamp: [7:46]
Question #4 Beth, no one could debate the breadth and depth of your body of literary work. Even the term, “Prolific” doesn’t seem to do you justice. In fact, I’m convinced you’re probably dictating a new article or book while you’re sleeping. You’ve already written and published: “If These Jewels Could Talk: The Legends Behind Celebrity’s Gems,” “Jewelry’s Shining Stars,” and your memoir titled, “My Charmed Life: Rocky Romances, Precious Family Connections And Searching For A Band of Gold.” Can you give us a few sentences on each book and perhaps whet our appetites for your upcoming fourth book? Timestamp: [8:35]
Question #5 In June 2016, you launched a full-scale magazine titled “Bejeweled Magazine at “BejeweledMag.com.” I was reading it the other day and was impressed to find that it’s rich with advice, trends, profile stories, and personal collectors sharing their experiences with jewelry. What was the inspiration for the magazine, and how do you see it shaping the narrative today on jewelry? Timestamp: [11:20]
Question #6 You know Beth, to say that you’ve done it all in the jewelry trade, that’s a bit of an understatement. Let’s see you started out writing about jewelry, which led you to design your own Bethany B collection which eventually led you to start your own jewelry consulting firm called Plan B. Obviously there are a lot of dots to connect here so can you unpack that transition a bit for us. Timestamp: [14:29]
Question #7 Even with a completely full day planner, you still find time to be actively involved in both the A.S.J.H. – American Society of Jewelry Historians, and the W.J.O. – Women’s Jewelry Association. Why do you think these two organizations are important, and why should others in the industry consider joining them? Timestamp: [17:29]
Question #8 From your unique vantage point you’ve got a tremendous insight into the inner workings of the jewelry industry where do you think the American jewelry trade is headed as a whole in the next few years? What changes do you see on the horizon? Timestamp: [19:01]
Question #9 Beth, we have covered a lot of ground today but is there one question that I should have asked you but didn’t? Timestamp: [20:38]
Connect With Beth Bernstein:
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Plan B Consulting Bejeweled Magazine
WRITING
- A Skilled writer/editor, she freelances for consumer and trade magazines with experience in both print and online publications.
Her three books include:
- “If These Jewels Could Talk: The Legends behind Celebrity Gems” (ACC Art Books, 2015) A historical/coffee table style book which provides an inside peek into the legends as well as heartfelt narratives and humorous anecdotes behind the famous jewels Hollywood Royalty, Aristocracy Icons and jewelers of the 20th-21st Century. Michel Aliaga Associate Director of Cartier Paris says, “The book is aspirational and magical. I’m sure it will be beyond the expectations of the aficionados of jewels and glamour!”
- “My Charmed Life: Rocky Romances, Precious Family Connections And Searching For A Band of Gold” (Penguin, 2012). —A memoir, which links her life, losses, family, and loves with her most significant pieces of jewelry.
- “Jewelry’ Shining Stars: Shaping Today’s Collectibles and Tomorrow’s Heirlooms” (Fine Points Publishing, 2013)—A coffee table book, featuring 38 talent’s shaping jewelry’s future, with a foreword by Stephen Webster.
Beth possesses multifaceted capabilities, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to conceptualize, launch, and successfully take projects from beginning to end. She has built and continues to maintain strong relationships with designers, retailers, press offices, and industry professionals, and her many clients. She is revered in her field for her experience and knowledge and for her exuberance and sheer joy in the way she approaches each aspect of her career.
Beth Bernstein is a member of
She has lectured and created panel discussions for various organizations and trade show events and sat on numerous panels as a judge for new talent in the jewelry industry.
Our “Inside the Jewelry Trade” Radio Show Episodes
The host of “Inside the Jewelry Trade” Radio Show – Jewelry Business Strategist – President of Four Grainer LLC. Author of the business books “A Reason To Chant,” and “A Reason to Chant – Jewelry Trade Edition.” Rod lives in Atlanta with his wife and two almost-human cats.