The Honora Blog
Many of you know Joel from QVC where he has explained Freshwater Pearls and brought some of the most unique pearl jewelry to the QVC audience for over 12 years. Here’s more about his history with Honora…
Joel has spent over 30 years in the jewelry industry traveling the world to buy various types of cultured pearls, diamonds and colored stones. He travels to China constantly to buy from some of the world’s largest pearl farmers. When Freshwater Pearls came onto the market over 20 years ago, Joel knew he was seeing the future of the pearl world. Shifting the focus of the company from traditional Akoya pearls and designer diamond jewelry, he began to shape Honora into the leader in Freshwater Pearls that it is today.
Joel graduated from The George Washington University in 1976 with a BA in Economics. He holds a Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and attained the title for Certified Gemologist from the American Gem Society (AGS). One of the foremost experts in pearls in the country, Joel has lectured at industry shows, jewelry store educational meetings and at GIA.
In addition to his love for Honora, Joel enjoys playing guitar, snowboarding, sailing and playing golf in his free time. He works alongside his sister, Roberta, his brother-in-law, Ralph and his son, Michael. He has proudly seen Honora into a third generation. Joel has two other sons, Daniel and Brandon and lives in New York City with his wife, Eileen.
If you have questions or comments below, feel free to leave a comment below or email us at community@honora.com.
Tags: Bio, Cultured Pearls, Freshwater Pearls, Honora Personalities, Joel Schechter
[...] soon, we will have a full pearl presention from our CEO and leading Cultured Pearl expert, Joel Schechter. We will also create smaller articles to help fans of Cultured Pearls better understand the [...]
[...] addition to educational information on Freshwater Pearls, we will also have updates from Joel and Ralph’s pearl buying trips, explanations on the latest pearl shapes as well as comparisons [...]
Hello. I recently bought a lovely strand of golden-colored pearls on QVC. Could you tell me how the pearls get that color? I was curious about the process that would imbue them with a particular shade. Thank you!
Could you please give me your address in New York?
I need to have a bracelet repaired.
Many thanks, Joan Fallon
Hi Pencraft! We are just finishing up a blog post that will address
that, it is a great video from Joel our CEO. I am going to send you a
private email answering your question, but be sure to look out for
that post very soon! Thanks for commenting!
Hi Joan!
Thanks so much for reading. I am attaching our repair guidelines, I
hope they help. If you have any additional questions, be sure to send
us an email at community@honora.com.
REPAIRS. If your HONORA item should require repair, please follow the
mailing instructions below:
1. Mail us your item through a traceable shipper, UPS, USPS Priority
Mail, etc., to the address listed below. We recommend that you insure
your package for the original purchase value in the unlikely event
that it is lost in transit. HONORA is not responsible for lost packages.
2. Enclose a check or money order in the amount of $ 15.00 to cover
processing, handling and return postage made payable to HONORA
Industries, Inc.
3. If available, kindly enclose a copy of the original sales receipt
to validate the date of purchase and a note explaining what service is
needed. Remember to include your name, return mailing address, contact
number and email.
4. DO NOT send the original pouches or packaging received at the time
of purchase along with your item as it will not be returned.
Package the item carefully, enclose the necessary documents mentioned
above and send to address below. Please allow for 3 to 4 weeks on all
repairs.
HONORA Industries, Inc.
Attn: Repair Center
18 East 48th Street
New York, NY 10017
[...] was most recently a member of QVC’s Vendor Advisory Board. Along with Honora’s CEO, Joel Schechter, Ralph travels regularly to China to buy from the world’s largest pearl farmers. He also works [...]
[...] we have made several great friends over the years, Joel and I have always had a special connection with Leslie Blodgett from Bare Escentuals. It goes way [...]
I adore the pearls used by Hagit Gorali and Barbara Bixby in their jewelry, especially Hagit's peach-tone pearls. Of course, I love the pearls right from Honora on QVC. Thank you for not bringing cheap-looking pearls to QVC. I just can't afford jewelry otherwise, even though my Mom has had an art [original] gallery for 41 (yes!) years. Even the jewelry at the American Craft Council wholesale shows are too expensive for me because of the volume required to be bought and the quick decisions needed to be made. On the Internet, I can take my time and THANK YOU SO MUCH JOEL SCHECHTER. Deb Green, Atlanta.
P.S.: I adore all pearls except for the “ringed” kind. I really dislike those.
Hi Joel! I love your pearls! I have many of your designs and multi colored strands. Lately,
some have been offered at QVC that are 18″ or 22″. The 18″ is too short and the 22″ too long.
I would like an extender to use with the oval sterling Honora clasp! I know you can do it!
Let me know.
Thank-you,
Joyce
We are actually working on this very item! We hope to have an
extenders that will offer more versatility to all of our 18″ necklaces
in late 2009/early 2010. Thanks for your comment.
[...] allowed us to create color combinations that have exceeded even our wildest expectations. While Joel and Ralph have been essential in developing the process through which we infuse our pearls with [...]
[...] Honora TV Host, Anna Swanson and Honora CEO, Joel Schechter as they help a mother and daughter find the perfect gift for one another. Joel also previews two [...]
Dear Joel:
Thank you for bringing Honora Pearls to QVC. I am a June baby and have been in love with pearls for many years. With your QVC collection, I can now afford pearls of all shapes, sizes and colors. It has been a fantastic way to shop, and I am building a very interesting collection.
One of my recent purchases was the station necklace with the white ring pearls. It is georgeous!
I was wondering if you would consider making a matching bracelet?
I look forward to many years of collecting, and hope to get to your Flagship Store for a visit.
Best regards,
Dee
Thanks so much for the kind words, we will be sure to pass the message along
to Joel! I am also going to pass your product request along as well!
We are glad to be a part of your pearl collection and hope to keep tempting
you with all of the designs to come! Hope to hear from you again soon or
better yet see you at our NY store!
Dear Joel:
Thank you for bringing Honora Pearls to QVC. I am a June baby and have been in love with pearls for many years. With your QVC collection, I can now afford pearls of all shapes, sizes and colors. It has been a fantastic way to shop, and I am building a very interesting collection.
One of my recent purchases was the station necklace with the white ring pearls. It is georgeous!
I was wondering if you would consider making a matching bracelet?
I look forward to many years of collecting, and hope to get to your Flagship Store for a visit.
Best regards,
Dee
Thanks so much for the kind words, we will be sure to pass the message along
to Joel! I am also going to pass your product request along as well!
We are glad to be a part of your pearl collection and hope to keep tempting
you with all of the designs to come! Hope to hear from you again soon or
better yet see you at our NY store!
[...] Honora CEO Joel Schechter tell you more the widest array of natural colors that Freshwater Pearls provide as well as the [...]
[...] Let us know your favorite pearl shape and why it speaks to you in the comments section. Be sure to tune in next week to Honora.TV for a brand-new episode showing you how to find that perfect pearl color for your skin tone and personality with our CEO, Joel Schechter. [...]
[...] Honora TV Host, Anna Swanson and Honora CEO, Joel Schechter as they showcase several of our latest pearl colors and combinations as well as some helpful hints [...]
[...] the contest and be sure to share the news! If we get to 3000 fans on the Honora Facebook Fan Page, Joel and Ralph are going to double the prize and offer a second necklace to members of our mailing list [...]
[...] no time like Honora time! Never miss Ralph and Joel on QVC again! The girls and I are are working to make Honora one to “watch” as the [...]
[...] to help you to learn more about Freshwater Pearls, nothing beats hearing it directly from our CEO, Joel Schechter. Joel was one of the first to see the potential in these astounding Cultured Pearls back when [...]
[...] journey” or “search for creativity”- sounds better on the expense reports Joel and Ralph have to [...]