Direct from New York

It all started with a 40th birthday celebration, a pair of diamond earrings, and access to New York City diamond designers and one year later it became a unique business with sales over $500,000. For Debbie Kaminer—mother, wife, professional educator, and part-time fitness diva—fine jewelry was the furthest thing on her mind and “What A Girl Wants” was simply a pop culture catch phrase. Today, Debbie is widely recognized as a fashion tastemaker, curating a sought after collection of fine and fashion jewelry from around the world. What A Girl Wants continues to be a fast growing business because it has been conceived by women for women, presents the latest fashionable jewelry at affordable prices and delivers uniquely personalized service in a fun, low-pressure environment.

The overnight success story of What A Girl Wants began in 2004 when Debbie received a pair of 14-karat white gold diamond studded earrings from her college roommate who had family connections to New York City’s Diamond District designers. Debbie decided to tap into this rarely accessible network, including the exclusive wholesale pricing, after stirring quite the interest around town. “I couldn’t go anywhere without being asked where I bought my earrings or necklace,” says Debbie. “While I was eating dinner with my husband at a popular local restaurant, I was approached by a man who admired my diamond chandelier earrings so much that he bought them right off me as a present to his wife for Mother’s Day.”

After successful small showcase parties to families and friends, it occurred to Debbie, who was already running her own tutoring and education consulting firm and teaching spinning classes part-time at two leading local fitness clubs, that there just might be a market for fine jewelry similar in style and look to the works of the hottest designers but at a fraction of the cost. It was at that point that Debbie’s diamonds went from fashion accessories to the business venture of What A Girl Wants.

“Women love to buy fine jewelry and they know What A Girl Wants offers the same jewels and designs they have seen in Vogue or Elle for half the price. They are stimulated because they’re buying diamond and gold jewelry and empowered because they feel a sense of accomplishment for nabbing a bargain on a high-quality luxury item.” Whether it is Debbie’s engaging style, visionary thoughts, or simply the demand for affordable fine jewelry, What A Girl Wants is regularly featured in St. Louis, Chicago, Longboat Key, and Louisville.