Summertime is the Best Time

Ahh, the leisurely sun-soaked days of summer are here on Marco Island. Quiet roads, empty restaurants, and no line at CVS put a smile on this little shopgirl’s face! One of the best parts of summer for me is the opportunity to really connect with my clientele. I have a bit more time to talk and brainstorm on ideas at the counter. This is really my favorite part of my job. Jewelry is so personal, and people always have such interesting stories on where and how they got their favorite pieces. My favorite is when they show me some beloved piece my dad made for them years ago. Sometimes I recognize his designs and sometimes I am surprised about what he came up with. One thing they all have in common is how well-made they all are. My father has been creating custom designs on Marco Island for his discerning customers for 30 years, and these creations have stood the test of time. His craftsmanship is superior to the whisper-thin designs being mass-produced currently.

We have several shop policies that we swear by to stand behind our product. Micro bands are a no-no. In our experience, these tiny bands are nothing but problems. Two millimeters minimum to withstand wear and tear is recommended. We always recommend six-prong heads for a half-carat size diamond or larger. This way, should you lose a prong, you won’t lose your diamond. The current trend of diamond pave prongs holding a giant diamond is of concern to me as well. If the prongs are chunky enough it’s okay, but whisper-thin prongs with tiny diamonds is a recipe for disaster. There’s just not enough metal to both secure the tiny diamonds properly during wear and to steadfastly anchor your center stone. My question is why? Yes, it’s pretty, but it may end up in the shop for repair constantly, and that’s no fun. While this style may be very in now, you will find your diamond is very out (of the setting).

There’s something special being on this little island and hearing from people that they love our little shop and how much they enjoy my father and my articles. I love getting all the positive feedback, and I’ve accumulated quite the following. So much so, when I don’t write for a while my customers mention they miss my writing! It feels like I have hundreds of English teachers telling me to apply myself! The pressure is no joke, but I really enjoy it. As far as whose writing they prefer, it tends to be 50/50. Many enjoy my father’s dry sarcastic wit and tell it like it is approach. He earned his right to be a bit salty, 50 years in retail can do that to a man! But in all honesty, the day-to-day vibe of our shop is pretty laid back. Our staff has zero turnover. We have all dedicated decades of our lives to beautifying the island one piece of jewelry at a time.

The art of gift giving is all about sharing happiness. Seeing people smile when they try on that perfect piece gives me so much joy. The relief I see in a husband’s eye when I help him pick out the perfect bauble to present his lady is unmatched! Allow me to help you look good. You can take all the credit; it’s no matter to me! If you have been the lucky recipient of something special, pop in and tell me what you love about it. This gives me valuable information I need when I am restocking the store. Also, it makes me happy to know we nailed it! All the girls up front celebrate a little bit when a gift hits right; we hate to see a return because it means we can improve our listening skills to serve you better. It’s all about communication and relationship building and trust. My father’s 30 years as an established goldsmith are so valuable currently. Faceless internet sales just don’t have the same romance and personal service.

Here’s your regular reminder to pop in the shop for a complimentary cleaning and inspection of your precious jewelry. Prongs need to be maintained, catches need adjustment, tiny little parts like O-rings and bails may be wearing thin. All these things are easy fixes and reasonably priced. Prevention is key. Replacing things after we’ve lost them due to not maintaining them properly is always going to be more expensive. Especially our daily wear pieces - if made well and maintained properly they will last for decades. Take advantage of our 10% off repairs for June, July, and August. Keep in mind, we will be closed all of September this year.