Az Business magazine sat down with Alfredo J. Molina, owner of Molina Fine Jewelers, to talk about trends he is seeing and suggestions he has for holiday gift-giving this season. Here is what he has to say:
Question: Are you seeing any trends regarding holiday gift giving this year?
Alfredo J. Molina: The major trends that reaches across major gift giving is quality, value and capital preservation. The current depreciation of worldwide currencies is motivating consumers to invest in hard assets as a form of investment. Jewelry represents a vehicle that meets many of the criteria of todays investor. It represents international currency, has great mobility, it can be held, meaning that they can see it, hold it and touch it and its appreciation is not taxable. Precious gemstones and precious metals have been the foundation of every monarcy and were used as the guarantors of all paper currency. The most emotionally charged gift a woman can receive is fine jewelry, especially the one’s containing large gemstones!
Q: What options do you suggest for gifts for female executives this year?
AM: Opinions vary as to the proper use of jewelry for women executives. One opinion is that less is more. The other opinion is the one I agree with and that is jewelry transmits a message of success. Imagine the financial advisor that transports himself to your office in a old dirty automobile. We are all in the people business and studies have shown that within the first 30 seconds people decide whether they are going to do business with you, trust you or believe you. The clothes you wear and the way you accessorize your wardrobe defines who you are and sends a strong message to the subconscious mind of the person you are delaing with.
The staples of a jewelry wardrobe for a professional woman are diamond stud earrings, cufflinks, a fine jewelry brooch, a fine timepiece and o fcourse a diamond ring that is appropriate for daywear. A pearl necklace has great versatility as does a diamond solitaire necklace.
Q: What options do you suggest for gifts for male executives this year?
AM: The rules of engagement for men are the same as for women. They are dealing with people and trust is the most important aspect in developing a mutally beneficial business relationship. My mentor John Teets, past CEO of Dial Corp., used to say ‘A man without cufflinks is improperly dressed.”. Cufflinks are a great opportunity for men to express their tastes and can break the monotony of a mans wardrobe. My grandfather used to say that you could judge a man by the quality of his shoes and his belt. Today, I believe that men are judged by the quality of their timepiece. The more complications a watch posseses the greater the culture and refinment of the man. A wedding ring with diamonds sends a message that a man is comfortable with who he is. A larger diamond transmits a connoisseurship of style. I would caution pinky rings due to their historic association with gamblers.
