1. What is Tiffany Mann Diamonds?
I am a private Jeweler and diamond broker- Basically what I do
is offer personal service to my clients, working by appointment only. I offer
only the highest quality diamond jewelry at a substantial savings over a retail
Establishment to the fact that I have very little overhead.
2. Why did you start this business?
I started this business first and foremost because my family has
been in the jewelry business since 1912 in West Virginia, I was even named after
"the big jewelry store" in New York. Its kinda funny because growing up I
always received jewelry for birthdays, Christmas, etc..and back then I didn't
like jewelry... I wanted electronics! I went to Concord College and got my B.A.
in Psychology and went on to Graduate school and got my Master's in Community
Counseling for Radford. Well in the process of Grad school I upgraded my own
engagement ring and my grandfather set me up with a diamond dealer of his and
let me handle it myself- Well I got two loose stones in and thought it was just
the coolest thing ever. He gave me a mounting catalog and I would look at it for
HOURS!! So I picked out a mounting and went and had it set. Well I ended up
selling a diamond to a lady who set beside me in class in grad school- I would
bring her copies of lab reports in class and show them to her when I was
supposed to be paying attention...then I sold one to a Friend who was getting
engaged. Well I gradual ted and during my internship I realized counseling was
just not a good fit and I wanted to sell DIAMONDS!!! So I just started my
business and learned as I went along. Most everyone in my family are business
owners so I watched that growing up. But I knew I could be successfully with
diamonds because my family has been in it so long and its almost impossible to
get suppliers without that. But I saw it was more meaningful to get the diamond
in loose and create your ring instead of just walking in a store and buying one
out of the case I knew that's what I wanted my clients to feel because its so
much more special and meaningful.
3. What kinds of products do you offer your
clients?
Basically anything related to diamonds - I do
a lot of engagement rings, wedding bands, custom design, remounts to give
jewelry a fresh look, necklaces, earrings, pendants, pearls, watches, men's
jewelry.....It may be easier to say what I do NOT sell :low quality promotional
goods, simulants, costume jewelry, or anything I am not proud to put my name
on.
4. What about being a diamond broker
makes you different from traditional jewelery stores?
Since I do a lot of
engagement rings and sell large diamonds, I pride myself on having excellent
diamond resources who offer the highest quality as well as unique diamonds. My
clients call me with what they want and I contact several vendors to get them
the best diamond for the best price. Before I get the stones in I pre-screen
them and make sure they are excellent cuts and stones worthy of my clients,
and meticulously analyze all the specifications of the diamonds..I have my GIA
graduate diamond diploma and there is so much more to a diamond than just the
"four C's that you hear so often about. Plus I don't stock anything. I believe
jewelry is a very personal and emotional item and what I like and buy for a
store may not be what my client likes. No stock gives the client much more
freedom of choice in their purchase.
5. What can your business offer women
in the Roanoke area that they will not get anywhere else?
Personal, one-on one service, excellent prices, highest quality
diamonds and diamond jewelry and when they leave they also have another friend.
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