The Day I Became a Ten-Year-Old Jewelry Mogul. Because some lessons are shinier than others

If you’ve been here a while, you already know I grew up in a family of jewelers. Gold dust, polishing cloths, and tiny diamonds were just part of the household décor. But when I was ten, our family hit a rough patch—a robbery. Unfortunately, it’s not that uncommon in the jewelry world. For about a month, my parents had to regroup, rebuild, and figure out how to move forward.

Meanwhile, my two older brothers and I decided to “help.” (You know, because nothing says stability like three kids launching a start-up.) The boys, who had learned to make jewelry at an early age, got to work crafting kid-friendly silver pieces—hearts, stars, and shiny little things ten-year-olds go wild for. My role? Sales and marketing, obviously.

My mom, ever the businesswoman, coached me on inventory management, pricing, and how to write down orders. I had a notebook, a pencil, and the unearned confidence of a child who thought she was about to take over “Tiffany & Co.”

Then came launch day. I walked into school, nervous and sweaty-palmed, with my little box of treasures. By lunchtime, there was a line—a literal line—of classmates wanting to touch, try, and buy. Teachers included. I sold out that first day and even came home with pre-orders for the next week. Move over lemonade stands, the jewelry hustle had arrived.

After a few weeks, our family got back on its feet, and the kid-run operation gracefully shut down. (Turns out, school, homework, and running a business don’t mix well when you’re ten.)

But I still remember that day—not because of the money, but because of what it taught me. I started out nervous and unsure, but by the end, I had learned that with effort and a little courage, anything I set my mind to was possible.

And another thing: everyone loves jewelry. Old, young, teacher, or ten-year-old. I still remember some friends asking, “Is this real? How do I know it’s not fake?” Thankfully, my family had already drilled into me how to tell the difference between real silver and the imposters—and more importantly, why the real thing always matters.

Because fashion fades, but value doesn’t.

So the next time you’re tempted by that shiny (but overpriced) fashion jewelry, do yourself a favor and ask:
“Will this have any value a year from now?”
If the answer is no, maybe rethink the purchase and invest in something that will.

After all, a little sparkle never hurt—especially when it grows in value. ✨

Love, Mom Investor - Gemma & Jules