Randi Molofsky Unites Fine Jewelry with  Marketing Prowess

What was the piece that made you fall in love with jewelry?

My grandmother, Esther, had a diamond band with gold “X” motifs that is stretchy. I always loved the ingenuity of it and the bold yellow gold — plus, the scale of the ring was unlike other pieces she wore. My mom has the ring now, and it still appeals to me from both an innovative and an aesthetic point of view.

What was your first job in the jewelry industry?

I graduated from college with a print-journalism degree, and my goal was to move to New York City as soon as possible and work at a fashion magazine. I interviewed for many positions — most of which had job descriptions that included sitting in a closet, organizing samples, and fetching coffee — but didn’t connect with anything until I spotted a gig at National Jeweler magazine. The job title was “fashion editor,” which obviously appealed to me, but it encompassed so much more…. I was able to attend trade shows, meet designers, forecast trends, and even visit gemstone mines. It was the beginning of my love affair with the world of fine jewelry.

How would you describe your job in an elevator pitch?

While most people call it a showroom, I think of For Future Reference (FFR) as a brand-development agency with a focus on independent fine jewelers. Instead of just selling the jewelry or just doing public relations, FFR handles both, also using strategic marketing to build brands. This way, we get to create a tailored strategy for each of our designers that brings awareness to the consumer, the retailer and the editor.

Name one of the most memorable moments in your career.

Because I am so invested in my clients, my favorite moments are usually when they succeed. Watching [them] win Gem Awards [and] Couture Design Awards, or get nominated for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) or Fashion Trust never gets old, and validates the work I do. But visiting mines in Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa and Brazil isn’t bad, either!

What are the telltale signs that you have discovered a new talent?

It’s when the jewelry and the designer perfectly intersect. Yes, the jewelry on its own needs to be great, and yes, you want the designer to be a kind person. But the times I get chills are when you see that direct connection between the work and the person, and you haven’t seen it before anywhere else in the market.

What advice would you have liked to get at the beginning of your career?

Fake it till you make it. Just because you don’t have all the answers, it doesn’t mean you can’t do the job. You have to go in there guns blazing, educate yourself, meet people, form relationships, put yourself out there. A little fear of the unknown is healthy.

Image: Randi Molofsky. (Shayan Asgharnia)

This article is from the May-June 2024 issue of Rapaport Magazine. View other articles here.