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Thread: "Bling" Is "In" Among The Senior Set?

  1. #1
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    "Bling" Is "In" Among The Senior Set?

    I've noticed lately that gemstones on stems, etc... seem to be gaining popularity among seniors (65+ by American terms [generally defined by the age one qualifies for Medicare]).

    Has anyone else noticed this?

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    Yep, can confirm this is the case. Jimmy Choo seems to be taking this tack with their designs as well, and that's our "premier" seniors line.

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    did you just call temples "stems"? And yes, I would say most pt's who like the bling are a little older, but I love them and have loved them and I'm no where close to elderly

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    Master OptiBoarder optical24/7's Avatar
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    I've never stopped selling bling;


    This is a recent one I did as readers for a client.
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    She liked it so much ,she came back to order these (Both done in NOS Swarovski)


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    One of my Opticians came up with this design. After I made it we started to get requests for it, so I made a sample.
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    I did these for Valentine's Day.
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    I made these about 2 years ago for a Santinelli contest. They are faceted arrowheads, made of trivex with edge tinting for highlighting.
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    Though not something I sell everyday, we do sell quite a bit through the year. It helps us stand out. We're about the only Optical around here offering one of a kind custom design eye wear.

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    Master OptiBoarder optical24/7's Avatar
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    Not jeweled, but I had a very sweet 9 year old want a minecraft creeper put on her lenses (+4.00 +4.00 x) She loves them!

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    Master OptiBoarder AngeHamm's Avatar
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    "Stems"??? I think this is a consumer posting on Lelarep's account! ;-)
    I'm Andrew Hamm and I approve this message.

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    Quote Originally Posted by optical24/7 View Post
    Not jeweled, but I had a very sweet 9 year old want a minecraft creeper put on her lenses (+4.00 +4.00 x) She loves them!

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    omg my kids would love it!!

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    Sorry, slipped into "dealing with consumers" mode. The colloquial around here is "stems" and if I don't use that word, even after telling them the correct phrasing, they get all confused. Brain glitch.

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    Master OptiBoarder AngeHamm's Avatar
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    I used to sell the heck out of Vera Wang with senior ladies. Lovely bling on the temples.
    I'm Andrew Hamm and I approve this message.

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    Master OptiBoarder rbaker's Avatar
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    Bling, whatever that is, has always had a market among those consumers who want something a little different, a little more classy, above the commonplace. Its not a big market but it is a lucrative market and one available from only a very few retailers, certainly not the online or the big box mall retailers.

    An independent optician with some real lab skills and the proper tooling can set himself apart from the herd by offering these special eyewear creations to the discriminating buyer. Nothing is more valuable in this market than the word of mouth referrals from your satisfied clientele.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Lelarep View Post
    Sorry, slipped into "dealing with consumers" mode. The colloquial around here is "stems" and if I don't use that word, even after telling them the correct phrasing, they get all confused. Brain glitch.
    What side of town are you talking about stems?!?!?
    No seeds no stems no sticks! (See 3:56)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7yPhExdj3E

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    I think what we're seeing is older gen-Xers reverting to what was popular in their youth. Bling hit a high point in the 80s and 90s with the rise of rap culture. I remember reading once in sociology class too many years ago that there's an observable phenomenon that as people age, they tend to gravitate back towards styles and trends that were popular during a period of their lives that held a great amount of meaning, usually their teens or twenties. The teens and twenty-somethings of the 80s and 90s are today's emerging seniors, so I think there may be something to it.

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    Ghost in the OptiMachine Quince's Avatar
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    Divas are big here with our older ladies. The Bvlgaris do well but with a slightly younger crowd.

    ^ Speaking of 80s- We rock Cazals
    Have I told you today how much I hate poly?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Quince View Post
    Divas are big here with our older ladies. The Bvlgaris do well but with a slightly younger crowd.

    ^ Speaking of 80s- We rock Cazals
    Oh, jealous! Have always wanted a pair. They're on my bucket list.

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    Ophthalmic Optician
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    Bling is big with all the females in my market! We've even go Amish girls lining up to but stones!
    Ophthalmic Optician, Society to Advance Opticianry

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    Master OptiBoarder optical24/7's Avatar
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    We've had some misery from Harvey, but also some joy. I just completed these lenses only for a patient of mine. CZ's w/blue edge tint set up for Chemistrie clips w/clear stones cemented to the sun lens' magnets. I hope she likes them!




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  17. #17
    Ghost in the OptiMachine Quince's Avatar
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    Very cool incorporation of the magnets!
    Have I told you today how much I hate poly?

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