Jonathan Goldberg: Fresh Take On Buying Custom Engagement Rings and Diamond Jewelry

Kimberfire is a fresh take on buying custom engagement rings and diamond jewelry. We have created a process that is transparent and client-focused, so we can best serve our clients in Toronto, Canada and across North America.

Tell us about yourself?

My first job after university was in the diamond industry, first overseas in Belgium and the Middle East to learn the trade, and then back in Canada focusing on the wholesale market. I then attended graduate business school and worked in investment banking for a number of years.

While in banking, friends and colleagues would always ask me for advice about purchasing their engagement ring. Learning about their experiences with retailers, I saw a gap in the market and the need for a new business model. These were the building blocks that started Kimberfire.

If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

Two years ago was a terrifying time, for all of us, for so many reasons. I think we are all still trying to process how this pandemic has affected us personally, professionally and on a societal level. I would tell myself to focus on what’s important.

What problem does your business solve?

Kimberfire fills a gap in the market by allowing clients to work one-on-one with a diamond jewelry expert to create a custom piece of jewelry that meets the quality standards of a high-end store, but with pricing that is competitive to online brands.

Kimberfire also makes the process of buying an engagement ring, and other diamond jewelry, easy and enjoyable. Our clients end up with the largest and best quality diamond possible within their budget and a stunning piece of high-quality custom jewelry that is meaningful to them.

What is the inspiration behind your business?

Prior to starting Kimberfire, friends and colleagues always mentioned to me how they didn’t feel comfortable buying a diamond sight unseen from a website.

They also knew how much more they would be paying at a traditional high-street retail store to get the quality and experience they were looking for. Kimberfire fills this gap.

Our model is the best of both options as our clients receive a personalized experience, a high-quality product, and pricing that is very competitive to online retailers.

What is your magic sauce?

Our clients meet virtually with a dedicated and expert member of our team for a personal and completely customized consultation.

Using our proprietary software, we work together with our clients to select the best diamond possible within their budget and design the perfect setting for it. The consultant also acts as project manager all the way through to final delivery, following the piece along the way.

With our process, competitive pricing and discerning attention to quality, we truly believe there is no one else like us.

What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?

With our proven sales and production processes in place, we look forward to continuing to grow our client base and develop new product lines. In 5 years, we’d love to be the first thought for engagement rings across Canada.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

Our biggest challenge was the design and development of our sales technology. Overall, the project went smoothly, and we were extremely satisfied with the result we achieved – but any project that large is very stressful and time consuming.

Fortunately, before the pandemic we were set up pretty well to shift to a virtual-first model (thanks in a large part to our software).

So while we had the expected pandemic challenges due to various shut downs and delays, we were able to make the pivot to virtual without negatively affecting our brand experience.

On the contrary, the virtual-first model has proven to work very well for both the business and our clients, so we have decided to make it a permanent part of the Kimberfire experience.

How do people get involved/buy into your vision?

Our consultants are ready and excited to help you create the most stunning and high-quality engagement ring or piece of diamond jewelry. Reach out to us any time, and we’ll get back to you ASAP with everything you need to know.