Quality Gold Shows Its Quality
By Anthony DeMarco
Quality Gold has been a longtime supporter of Jewelers for Children, so becoming part of the charity’s Heroes for Hope campaign was just a natural thing for the 30-year-old company to do.
Based in Fairfield, Ohio, just north of the “Queen City,” Cincinnati, the jewelry manufacturer and wholesale distribution company has been involved with Heroes for Hope since April of 2004. So far, employees have contributed $7,916, and they can make their donations through payroll deductions. In 2008, 10 percent of the company’s approximately 200 employees contributed $2,332.
The program is 100 percent voluntary. During orientation, new employees are made aware of the program and given an opportunity to contribute. All employees may choose to contribute and may opt out of the program at any time.
Michael Langhammer, chief executive officer of Quality Gold, said that it’s important to allow his staff the opportunity to help make a difference when it comes to children in need-particularly when the need is as great as it is today.
“By offering staff at Quality Gold the opportunity to participate in the Heroes for Hope campaign, we collectively are able to contribute positively to the lives of children,” Langhammer said. “Every dollar does make a difference.”
It isn’t always easy for the busy company and its employees to be involved with JFC. Langhammer started Quality Gold in 1979 as a one-man operation and has supervised its growth to the point where it now actively serves approximately 24,000 independent jewelers across the United States and in Puerto Rico. The company also serves as a special orders source for several nationwide and regional chain stores. But Quality Gold is fully committed to JFC and Langhammer and his employees believe that helping children is well worth the time they put in and the money they contribute.
Quality Gold has more than 139,000 jewelry and gift items in stock and available to ship the same day and more than 100,000 items available as special order. The company offers one of the largest catalog assortments in the business-more than 5,000 catalog pages. Its range of products, purchased from all parts of the world for sale to retailers throughout the United States, including everything from the Playboy Jewelry Collection to the Kids and Cuddles jewelry Collection.
In addition, Quality Gold designs and manufactures flat and three-dimensional charms and jewelry in yellow gold, white gold, sterling silver, or a combination of metals.
Besides its participation in Heroes for Hope, the company has worked with Sterling Jewelers Inc. for many years and in several ways to assist JFC. Its most important contribution may be its support of the annual Facets of Hope Dinner, held annually during The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas. During the past two years, the company has provided lapel pins for all dinner guests, one of the many ways it supports the event.
Anthony DeMarco is a senior editor at JCK magazine.