National Rarities’ November Employee Spotlight
November is the time to appreciate the people in our lives and celebrate the magic that the holidays bring.
While this year may look a little different compared to previous years, it doesn’t change the fact that we can still be grateful for the people in our lives.
At National Rarities, we are grateful for our staff 24/7, but this time of the year makes us incredibly nostalgic for the incredible people we work with.
This month, we are grateful for our Team Supervisor/Estate Specialist GIA AJP, John Hartman. We want to showcase our gratitude for John by naming him our November Employee Spotlight! Join us in learning more about our incredible team supervisor:
Q1: Describe a brief history of yourself and your relevant training.
So far, I’ve enjoyed over 30 years in the jewelry industry, with time spent in several different
aspects of the industry. Starting in wholesale manufacturing, we made and sold many types of different gold products to major area department stores and over 1,200 accounts in the surrounding seven states.
Following that, I moved into the retail side for almost two decades and had the opportunity to
work at some of our area’s premier independent jewelers as well as having my own shop for
several years.
Q2: What does a typical day look like for you at NR on and off the road?
While I’m in the office, my day usually consists of preparing fine jewelry items that we have
purchased on the road for photography and sales by polishing, cleaning, and rhodium plating as
necessary.
I also quality-check items that may require repair before getting ready for
sale. As a team leader, I’m involved in training new employees, helping my teammates with any
questions they may have and keep things flowing. When I am on the road, my days are filled with assisting clients in identifying and evaluating their precious items and making an offer if we can purchase.
Q3: What is your favorite thing about working at National Rarities?
Not only do we have an incredible team, but nearly every day, we see something we’ve never seen before, and the possibility to learn never stops! Our travels take us all over the country, so we get to meet people from all walks of life.
Q4: What is your favorite piece that you have purchased or sold? Do you have a story behind it?
I have always been fascinated by things that are more rare and unique. One of the coolest items I was able to purchase from an estate was a set of five Dankner Living Charms.
These charms were produced in minimal quantities back in the ’60s, and each one had a small watch movement in the base that you could wind up and make the charms come to life!
Since these charms were primarily made to be worn on charm bracelets, many were damaged over the years and did not survive. The set I purchased had been sitting in a safety deposit box for decades and thankfully had retained all their beautiful enamel work, and all the set stones remained intact. Every once in awhile, one will pop up on the global auction site, so be sure to keep an eye out for these unique treasures!
We want to thank our loyal team member, John, for all of his hard work and dedication to National Rarities. As the season of gratefulness comes to fruition, we are truly grateful to have outstanding employees! We are beyond lucky to have John and our team of “rarities” for the upcoming holiday season.
Stay tuned for our next National Rarities Employee Spotlight in December! As the year slowly comes to an end, we are reminded of our accomplishments this year and the team that helped us reach our goals.