We buy and sell diamonds and engagement rings in Baltimore, Maryland, Washington DC, Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia!

In early October, Ron Samuelson of Samuelson’s Diamonds created a cartoon video that went viral on YouTube using “cookie cutter” video technology from Xtranormal. He wrote the script, selected voices, and plugged them into two cartoon characters that play out a typical retail diamond-buying experience and voila!, “Blue Nile vs. Local Jeweler” was born.

Although a good percentage of views could be attributed to interest within the industry, there has been a noticeable interest from outside the trade. Regardless of where the number of unique views has come from, this video shows the potential and ease of using a video platform such as Xtranormal for retailers looking to add to or break in to video marketing. See what industry video marketing guru Nick Failla says about Samuelson’s “Blue Nile vs Local Jeweler” video:

“’Blue Nile vs Local jeweler’ is a knockout example of a video that was created using Xtranormal, one of the many powerful creative tools that is accessible to budding video producers online…

Click here for the full article titled Viral Spiral: Samuelson’s Diamonds.

More exciting videos and other fun stuff on the way!

I was asked to give my opinion on what guys should do when buying an engagement ring. The guy before me says to “Man Up” – I’m ok with that, we’ve said that around here as well. I put it a little more gently so take a look at about 5.09 minutes in and you ‘ll see! This video was shot at the Lieberfarb booth, one of our best bridal lines:

Snowed - but open!

Boy did we get snowed this week! As soon as we had gotten ourselves out from under the first blast, Tuesday comes and hits us again. We even had to close on Wednesday and last Saturday! The Baltimore Business Journal was not above noticing the adverse effect this may have on businesses, including ourselves:

Ron Samuelson, owner of Samuelson’s Diamonds in Baltimore, said shoppers are maxed out after Christmas shopping already, and doesn’t expect to gain a lot of Valentine’s Day business. Samuelson recalled the weekend in December before Christmas Day, when snow hurt retailers looking to gain from the last-minute shopper.

“Now it’s a double whammy, and downtown is pretty bad,” Samuelson said. His West Baltimore Street store was closed Wednesday.

Last Saturday was the first day Samuelson had ever closed the store, he said.

Undaunted, though, we’re back! And our Fans on Facebook may have heard:

we’re open for business. the main roads are fine so come on down and say hi, free beer and MAJOR discounts if you do!

We’re just sayin’ – if you’re in the ‘hood, don’t be shy. And if you’re not in the neighborhood, there’s really not much else to do once you’re done digging out.

All of this is to let you know that our own Ron Samuelson will be speaking at the Monday Pre-Show Conference in an exciting session called “Social Media – Myth or Miracle?“.  Smart Jewelry Show is scheduled for four days from the 23rd of April to the 26th, and Ron will be speaking the morning of the 26th.

More details to come!

Ron Samuelson may be the most unromantic jeweler in America.

“We don’t sell strictly on romance,” he says. “[Samuelson's Diamonds] gives you good values. We’re real guys and we talk and educate people about diamonds.”

For Samuelson, buying a rock is a sensible decision. “Diamonds are a commodity, and that’s what [consumers] should be taught. Getting engaged is a special time in someone’s life, but diamonds are also a product and have value in the marketplace, and that’s what we should be telling people. Consumers are getting over fancy-schmancy brands; people are over the blue box and want to get a good deal. I think that most guys who are buying a diamond engagement ring are not as concerned with romance as they are with getting an honest deal.”

Check out these unromantic videos if you want some ideas…

Even the French don’t buy into that romance stuff!

If you have done these things with your wife or girlfriend, give us a call – you’ll need to get her some diamonds to get you out of the doghouse!

… Samuelson’s Diamonds Downtown … a Baltimore institution for almost ninety years, has been very busy lately. In addition to relocating and renovating its own store, the family-owned company has invested in several properties on the 400 block of West Baltimore Street …

Ron Samuelson, the scion of the diamond dynasty, promises a PNC Bank, a Five Guys, and a Panera. Reputed to be somewhat excitable, but endearing, Mr. Samuelson also promises to play the video of your favorite song when you come visit the new store, which the family hopes to open later this year.

Samuelson’s Diamonds maintains its commitment to the redevelopment and reinvigorating of the downtown business district.

The original article is located here, “Urban Discoveries Blog – Development Spotlight: 400 West Baltimore”

Editor’s note: The new address is 419 West Baltimore Street.

Ron Samuelson, 35
Jewelry Entrepreneur
When Ron Samuelson took over the 72-year-old family pawn business in the mid-1990s, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to explore new opportunities for the operation. In 1997, after studying the jewelry business, he launched the website samuelsonsdiamonds.com to drum up interest in the store.

The site brings diamond buyers and sellers to the downtown location from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, and has been a major driver of sales traffic—especially from young men looking for engagement rings, Samuelson says. Now he’s a developer, too: As part of the Westside renaissance, the Samuelson family—which includes his father and brother-in-law, also in the jewelry business—is redeveloping the 400 block of W. Baltimore Street in partnership with David S. Brown and A&R developers. Samuelson says he is proud that he has been able to maintain the business his grandfather started, and at the same time move it in a new direction.

“I love diamonds,” he says. “I love selling jewelry, and I’ve seen how the Internet drives everything that we do here.”

Samuelson’s Diamonds continues its commitment to being a leader in the field of local online retail.

The original article is available here: ‘Baltimore Magazine – 40 Under 40‘