Fast Times at The Harbor Goldsmith

Our little shop has gained a lot of momentum since reopening on September 22nd. Our repair coupon has brought in a lot of fresh faces and loyal clientele to enjoy the savings. Our shop employs three goldsmiths, which is unheard of locally. These artisans are few and far between, and their skills are worth their weight in gold. With their expertise, our shop has been offering expert restorations on vintage and much-loved and much-worn jewelry, small stone replacements, and gorgeous custom designed works of art. I am busy gearing up for an outstanding season and stocking the store with fresh and fun designs.

Some recent restorations include a bangle that arrived in the store in three pieces. Fortunately, it was made well enough many years ago that all it needed were fresh moving parts. A new hinge, tongue, and figure eight’s put it back on this nice lady’s wrist. It had a beautiful one carat diamond set in the middle of it and was well worth the cost to restore. Another recent project I was tasked with was sourcing matching opals for a beautiful opal tennis bracelet. This bracelet was also well-made but had been dropped on a tile floor. Three opals were in need of replacement. After a three-month search, the perfect match was found, and she wore her restored bracelet out of the store happily. Another client who is notoriously rough on her jewelry brought me a sentimental ring that had a catastrophic failure. Unfortunately, it was beyond repair. We remade an identical ring for her using her diamonds, and she will wear that ring proudly for many more decades. These projects bring me the most satisfaction upon completion. They tend to take a lot longer to do, but the wait is well worth the outcome. I do not like rushing expert restoration work. This is a meticulous undertaking, and all we ask for is some patience for us to get it right. Most people understand, and those who do not hear the phrase “This isn’t a drive-thru jewelry shop!” from me. That always elicits a giggle and some understanding.

Every day spent at the counter presents new and challenging puzzles to solve. I hate passing on any projects. This is a very sentimental community and I do understand the feelings behind our favorite pieces of jewelry. What I don’t enjoy is accepting a project that I can fix but know is not a permanent solution. If I know you are going to have further problems down the road, I truly hesitate to accept your money. Some things just need to be replaced or retired altogether. (I’m looking at you, invisible set diamonds and hollow rope chains!) While they can be mended, they’re just never going to be problem-free. When I source new items for the store, I am very discerning. I inspect the design and decide if this is a piece of jewelry our shop can stand behind for years to come. If I feel it is too delicate to be able to repair in the future, I set it aside. My customers appreciate well-made designs and are willing to pay a little more for jewelry that will endure the test of time. This has been proven to be more challenging due to the sharp increase in the value of gold. But fear not, I am up to the challenge. In the past two weeks, I have sorted through thousands of pieces of jewelry to offer for sale. It can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out what the future trends will be, but I love every minute of it. Also, I especially enjoy spending my father’s money, so it’s beneficial for everyone.

Stop in now to see our latest offerings, including our beautiful new Marco Island pendant. The reception has been overwhelmingly positive, and they are moving briskly out the door. I love hearing the people on the sidewalk notice the display and say how pretty they are! Marco Island is truly a happy place, and it’s the perfect piece of paradise to commemorate such a wonderful place! All of you are what make Marco Island so special. Our community has the happiest and healthiest population, and it’s no wonder. Beautiful blue skies and lush green landscaping surrounded by crystalline waters, is it no wonder people strive to call Marco Island their home?