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.
[...] 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 [...]
Dear Joel,
I bought a pair of earrings on QVC that broke the second time I wore them when taking them off (the chain broke). Did I hear you correctly say your Honora jewelry has a lifetime warranty on QVC?
We are so sorry to hear about this. Please email us at community at honora.com and we will be sure to help you get this taken care of!
[...] When gem-quality Freshwater Cultured Pearls started to emerge in the ‘90s, it lit our CEO Joel Schechter’s imagination. It provided him with a quality pearl that offered more shapes, colors and sizes than [...]
[...] Joel and Ralph were thrilled at the opportunity for Honora to team up with Bare Escentuals and thank everyone who watched and shopped on November 7th. [...]
[...] journey” or “search for creativity”- sounds better on the expense reports Joel and Ralph have to [...]
[...] 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 [...]
[...] 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 [...]
Joel, I really love my 20 in. strand of ringed white large Honora pearls I purchased from QVC a year or 2 ago. They look like they need restringing in one place. Does your company do this? Most sincerely, Pamela
Please email us at community@honora.com and we will get you everything needed in order to get your pearls restrung!
Dear Joel, This is to thank you and Michael very much for your most professional manner. I recently sent you a strand of pearls 22″ white ringed from a QVC purchase. The strand needed repair and Michael instrusted me as to what to do and it was done so quickly and now I have my lovely pearls again. “Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others; cannot keep it from themselves.” by James Barry I wanted to Thank You for your sunshine and my beautiful pearls. Truely I will think of you both each time I wear them. Warmest Regards, Pamela BeDell Carlsbad, California
We are always happy to help! Thanks for your kind follow up and please enjoy your pearls!
I am just curious about how you came up with the name Honora? I really love the jewelry because it is so beautiful. Please answer if you have the time. Thanks
This was actually the name of one of the co-founder’s wife!
First let me say how beautiful all your pearls are…but the question I have for you is more of a personal one. Quite afew years ago I was looking for 2 Marines to return a postcard to one of them that I”d picked up in a second hand store..whichever one I found first would get the card. The card was sent to a Sgt. Roger Schechter in WA state from his Marine friend stationed in Vietnam..the card was from Thanksgiving 1966. I did finally locate the sender and sent him the old postcard..he’s asked several times if I’d found anything about Roger…whenever I run across someone with the same last name, I always contact them, just in case …I dont think your last name is a real common name so hoping one of the messages I send out across the wide web will someday turn up some info about Sgt. Roger Schechter….thanking you in advance for taking a moment to read and reply to this email. God bless you and yours and continued success…Sharon Groleau
Thank you so much for your email. Unfortunately this is not a family member of Joel’s. Good luck in your search!
Joel, I love your pearls! Can you please make more 16 inch pearl necklaces and more lever back earrings. Thank you!!
Good Evening,
I purchased a set of Honora pearls from QVC, in December. The “string” came out of the clasp.
Are the pearls under warranty ? Could you tell me how I would go about getting my pearls fixed?
Thank you so very much,
Cheryl Fenton
Hi Cheryl, We can certainly help you here! Please email us at community@honora.com and we will get you all of the information or you can visit http://www.honora.com/faq to get instructions for getting your pearls restrung at no charge (as long as you still have all of the pearls).
Hi Joel I enjoy pearls and many Honora strands and earrings. I have a question regarding the colored freshwater pearls. What chemicals and/or dyes do the Chinese use to color the pearls? Thank You!
While we cannot give out the exact information, we can tell you it has been tested and is safe! Are there any other specific questions you are looking for?
Hi Joel, watching tonight on QVC, and I bought today’s special in the rose color, I am a large, but lovely lady, wow need a 22″ lengh, thanks for putting the lobster clasp on so we can put extender’s on them,please consider making more 22 inch lenghts, thanks, honey and have a great day
Thanks for the comment. We are working with QVC to bring more and more of these longer lengths to our assortment! Comments like this have gone a long way towards seeing to that!
I’ve been buying Honora pearls since they first came to QVC. I almost feel that I know Joel. My mom had a strand of gorgeous Mikimotos when I was a child. I loved them, but could never imagine wearing pearls myself till Joel began talking about pearl farming. I became enchanted by the way something so beautiful can grow from something as physically unattractive as a mollusk. And because I am a writer — the metaphor and symbolism of that drew me. Along the way, I discovered Keshi pearls — and I have four chests of them. Every time I see Joel on the Q, I learn more, and I’m grateful for his introducing me to the beauty and mystery of pearls.
Hi Michael,
I just sent you an e-mail but I had a mistake in my e-mail address. I sent you an e-mail address of montoyad672@yahoo.com,must be experiencing a brain fart, sorry for the inconvinience.
Rosanna Montoya
[...] friends at QVC UK were kind enough to put this video together featuring our CEO, Joel Schechter. They did an amazing job showing just how much the city of New York influences our latest designs [...]
I must admit I don’t own any pearls, but I just heard you and your son Michael sing on QVC, and I want you to know you brought me to tears, especailly with your song “Still”. I lost my father two days before Christmas and the words hit my very core. Beautiful, take a month off from the jewelry business, and cut a CD…I will be your first sale! God blessed you with many talents my friend.
Hi Chris, thanks so much for the kind words. We had a lot of fun shooting that and I’m with you, Still is easily Joel’s best. Hope we can get him to cut a CD!
Best,
Michael
Thanks for making my holiday alot calmer and brighter! Can you post the lyrics to Still:)? Warmest holiday wishes to Honora and QVC!
Hi Heide,
We will get these up for you as soon as we return from winter break on January 4th!
Hi Joel. I love Honora pearls. I purchased 2 boxes for myself and three boxes for my goddaughters over Christmas. It was too late to exchange, but one box of the fashion earings came with 2 gold and no red earings.
I have also lost one of my gold ones.
I have contacted qvc, about sending me one gold earing if they have any extra floating around. I haven’t had any luck. If by any chance you have one extra gold, i would appreciate getting it. also i am willing to pay for one set of red, if they can be sent individually. i know my goddaughter would love them.
please keep me posted.
Thank-you
sincerely
michelle cory
Hi Michelle,
We can certainly help here. Please email us the details at community@honora.com and we will be sure to follow up! Looking forward to getting this resolved for you.
i ordered 5 boxes of fasion and original earings around christmas time. one box had 2 gold and no cherry. i couldnt exchange them at the time, i wou;dnt have had a gift for my goddaughter. I am willing to pay for one set of cherry, but i need to buy them sepertally.
I also lost one gold earing, if you have an extra one anywhere, i’d be gratuidous if you could send me one.
thank-you Michelle Cory
My middle name is Honoria, I had always been a little embarrassed by the name because I was born and raised in Central America, when I was a child my fellow classmates teased me about my middle name. I was more than a little pleased to learn about the history of my name. Thank you.