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Diamond Cellar

About Diamond Cellar

Diamond Cellar didn’t start out as a retail jeweler. Founder Robert Johnson established Robert W. Johnson Incorporated as a trade shop in 1947. The original shop on North High Street above Kresge’s Five and Dime performed jewelry repairs and alterations for retailers that didn’t have their own crafts people.

The business quickly expanded and in the 1960s moved to a space beneath the Franklin Federal Savings and Loans building, thus inspiring its current name “Diamond Cellar,” as it was truly located in the basement of the bank. In the 1970s Diamond Cellar began to slowly move away from working only for other retail companies and more for private customers. They opened their first retail location and Robert’s son Andy was the director of this store. Andy is still the CEO of Diamond Cellar Holdings today.

Diamond Cellar Holdings, formed in the mid-2000s, is the parent company for both Diamond Cellar stores and the Store 5a locations in Columbus, Ohio, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Donoho’s Jewellers in The Woodlands, Texas. (See this issue for more about Bruce G. Weber and Donoho’s.) Diamond Cellar’s Columbus locations offer the largest selection of timepieces in the area. Each store, while sharing the same spirit of exemplary service and high value, exhibits a personality all its own.

Diamond Cellar moved to its current 23,000-square-foot, two- story flagship location on Sawmill Road in the 1990s and showcases a more traditional jewelry store design. In 2001 Diamond Cellar’s store at the upscale Easton Town Center opened with 9,000 square feet. The trendy Easton location was named one of America’s Coolest Stores in the national InStore Magazine Coolest Stores Contest in 2013. Store 5a in Columbus’ Short North Arts District opened in 2015 specializing in vintage jewelry, watches and handbags from many of the world’s most sought-after luxury brands. In 2016, Diamond Cellar Holdings added a second Store5a to the Columbus landscape, which also specializes in vintage jewelry, watches and handbags.

A variety of well-respected watch marques may be viewed at the three stores, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Officine Panerai, TAG Heuer and Tudor. In addition, jewelry by David Yurman, Roberto Coin, Mikimoto, Marco Bicego, Penny Preville and Ippolita are on display. All are thoughtfully featured within Diamond Cellar’s elegant environment, which is also home to a knowledgeable staff whose primary goal is to make the shopping experience a memorable one.

The family-owned Diamond Cellar, represented by the second and third generation of the Johnson family, maintains 70 employees, each of whom is well versed in the art of watchmaking, thanks to regular on-site trainings. In addition, they participate in invitation only educational events that are hosted by the brands.

“Our staff has made jewelry and watches their career and spend a good deal of time honing their knowledge,” says CEO Andy Johnson of Diamond Cellar’s employees. “This is such an advantage for our customers. We can serve them in a way that many other jewelers cannot.” He adds that their services also include custom jewelry produced at the hands of Diamond Cellar’s expert craftsmen.

A watchmaker is also on site—another distinct advantage for the store’s clientele as Johnson explains, “The biggest advantage is that we can do maintenance and repairs on watches locally, which gives the customers the comfort of knowing that their fine timepiece never leaves our store.”

The stores have well-developed e-commerce websites for those customers wishing to shop for watches and jewelry from home. In addition, a full list of Diamond Cellar services is available on the site, including watch and jewelry repair and custom jewelry design. Customers can also go online to read a digital version of Diamond Cellar’s own Accent Magazine featuring stories about jewelry and watches as well as their staff and services. Social media plays an important part in Diamond Cellar’s digital strategy. The company stays in touch with its loyal fans via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and a popular company blog.

Diamond Cellar’s reach goes beyond the walls of its three locations, thanks to its involvement in charitable initiatives, with a focus on those that benefit children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Most recently, the company held a month-long event where 5 percent of every jewelry repair was donated back to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in support of pediatric cancer research programs.

A variety of in-store annual social events are hosted by Diamond Cellar, including a bridal show, watch promotion and holiday party, as well as personal appearances by various designers. An annual watch dinner, at which representatives from various watch brands showcase their latest special pieces, is one of the hottest tickets in town.

Collections:
Baume & Mercier  •  Bell & Ross  • Corum  • David Yurman  • Hermès  • Jaeger-LeCoultre  • Luminox  • Michele  • Officine Panerai  • Patek Philippe  • Raymond Weil  • Rolex  • TAG Heuer  • Tudor  • Victorinox Swiss Army

Locations:
6280 Sawmill Rd, Dublin, OH 43017, USA
3960 New Bond St, Columbus, OH 43219, USA
765a N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
3985 Morse Crossing, Columbus, OH 43219, USA

Social:


www.diamondcellar.com

 

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A. Lange & Söhne

Chong Hing Jewelers | CH Premier Jewelers

About Chong Hing Jewelers | CH Premier Jewelers

Founded in Los Angeles in 1970 by Ronald and Ellen Lee, Chong Hing Jewelers has earned a reputation for excellence over the last 47 years as an elite purveyor of the nest Swiss timepieces. Since its founding, the company has grown to include three locations in Southern California: in San Gabriel, Los Angeles’ Chinatown and Rowland Heights; and two locations in Northern California with the name CH Premier Jewelers, the most recent of which is a brand-new store in the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto slated to open in the spring of 2017.

Across all locations, the Chong Hing Jewelers Group assists its discerning clientele as they navigate a curated selection of exquisite timepieces and exceptional jewelry. Each store exudes a gracious ambiance in which the unique personalities of the represented brands are aptly reflected. And with respect for its Asian-American heritage and international clientele, Chong Hing’s Chinatown location resides in a historic building whose exterior reflects traditional Chinese architectural design; the interior features the modern influences consistent across all company locations.

Clients are greeted within all locations by Chong Hing Jewelers’ knowledgeable associates, each well versed in the intricate and technical language of horology. They stay abreast of developments and horological innovations through monthly trainings and bi-yearly trainings with each brand. Store ambassadors also regularly travel to Switzerland and Germany to undergo trainings at the factory level where they gain greater understanding of the entire lifecycle of watchmaking. The complete Chong Hing team includes nearly 100 passionate individuals: sales associates, expertly trained watchmakers, graduate gemologists, bridal specialists and bench jewelers, representing their respective trades with great acumen. A watchmaker is onsite to provide services such as watch maintenance, strap or battery changes and general repairs.

Since the company’s founding decades ago, Ronald and Ellen Lee have instilled the values of personal service and care. Thus by forging sincere relationships with their customers, all areas of company activity are positively influenced, from inventory composition to marketing initiatives such as collector experiences, and a special events culture that includes local and international celebrities. Recent client gatherings include a VIP Tour of “Breguet: Art and Innovation in Watchmaking” at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, the Blancpain Ocean Commitment Road Show, and a VIP Hennessy Tasting with Maurice Hennessy featuring LVMH brands Hublot and Bulgari. So too, Chong Hing Jewelers helped celebrate Patek Philippe’s 40th Anniversary of the Nautilus and the 20th Anniversary of the Annual Calendar at a VIP dinner.

In this digital age, Chong Hing Jewelers has made it a point to connect with its clients via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, tailoring its outreach to the Chinese community through WeChat, Weibo and Youku. The stores promote daily or weekly announcements about new products and brand events to keep their followers abreast of all the latest happenings.

Chong Hing Jewelers’ typical customer owns multiple time- pieces—both watches for daily wear and those reserved for special occasions. It is thereforefitting that the company’s inventory includes a broad range of collections, styles and price points. Omega and Longines are admired in particular for their everyday wearability, and Chong Hing’s clients also look to a variety of manufacturers for highly collectible and uniquely complicated watches, including A. Lange & Söhne, Breguet, Chopard, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Officine Panerai, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin and more.

Serving as the perfect complement to Chong Hing’s impressive watch collections are the jewelry designs of Bulgari, Forevermark, Hearts on Fire, Memoire, Mikimoto, JB Star, Roberto Coin, A. Link, Christian Bauer, Kwiat, Bez Ambar, Jack Kelège and more. In addition, Chong Hing offers luxury goods from Montblanc, Lalique and Jay Strongwater, ensuring that each trip to Chong Hing Jewelers is a one-stop shopping experience for all of life’s important occasions.

“We treasure the friendships and trust that we have built up over the years with our customers and brand partners,” Ellen Lee shares. “From the day our first store opened, we have always focused on building our product selection and reputation, not just as a watch specialist, but as a true luxury retailer of loose diamonds, fine jewelry, and gifts and accessories.”

Comprehensive service, innovation in presentation and a pure commitment to the luxury industry have enabled Chong Hing’s extensive growth and development over the last 47 years, and this trend will certainly continue, as 2017 marks the opening of the new 2,200-square-foot location in the Stanford Shopping Center.

“It is truly an honor to be a part of this great industry,” says Ronald Lee, Chairman of the Chong Hing Jewelers Group. “The rich heritage of so many brands comes to life with each of the timepieces showcased in our stores. The passion and commitment displayed by each brand to achieve the utmost perfection is nothing short of amazing. I love the watch industry for everything it stands for: excellence, quality and beauty.”

Collections:
A. Lange & Söhne  •  Bell & Ross  • Blancpain  • Breguet  • Bulgari  • Carl F. Bucherer  • Chanel  • Chopard  • Corum  • Franck Muller  • Girard-Perregaux  • Glashütte Original  • Gucci  • Harry Winston  • Hermès  • Hublot  • IWC  • Jaeger-LeCoultre  • Jaquet Droz  • Jorg Gray  • Longines  • Montblanc  • Officine Panerai  • Omega  • Patek Philippe  • Philip Stein  • Piaget  • Rado  • Roger Dubuis  • TAG Heuer  • Vacheron Constantin  • Zenith

Locations:
140 W Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776, USA
956 N Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
18436 Colima Rd, Rowland Heights, CA 91748, USA
2855 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050, USA
180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA

Social:

www.chonghing.com

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A. Lange & Söhne

Cellini Jewelers

About Cellini Jewelers

Leon Adams, Cellini’s Founder and President, has always been passionate about haute horlogerie. In 1977, it led him to open his first showroom in the Waldorf- Astoria, where his collection of hard-to-find timepieces struck a chord with a growing group of American collectors, who were rediscovering the art of mechanical watchmaking.

As Cellini’s reputation grew through the years, so did its watch collection, which was one of the first in America to include brands like A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, De Bethune, Franck Muller, Laurent Ferrier and Richard Mille. As proof of the company’s influential standing in the watchmaking world, Cartier selected Cellini to be one of only four U.S. dealers authorized to carry Cartier’s Fine Watchmaking Collection.

A veteran of countless watch fairs in Basel and Geneva, Adams has seen trends come and go, deepening his perspective and sharpening his ability to quickly separate the timely from the timeless. That keen eye, fueled by his genuine excitement for the art of horology, is why watch collectors trust Cellini.

“We’re constantly looking for new and innovative watchmakers, but we’re extremely selective about who we represent,” Adams explains. “Finding a brand that produces unique watches isn’t enough. The watches—and the watch company—must be built to last. Quality is foremost in everything we do at Cellini.”

Today, Cellini covers the spectrum of haute horlogerie with a phenomenal collection that appeals to all types of horological enthusiasts, from budding aficionados in search of their first fine timepiece, to savvy collectors who prize the extensive selection of rare watches, the likes of which you will not find anywhere else. “The depth of our collection means you can find what you want, when you want it,” Adams says. “That selection is what sets us apart and the reason people keep coming back.”

Cellini’s Madison Avenue boutique, opened in 1987, is home to an expertly curated collection that brings luxury to a human scale and pace. Though behind glass, the jewelry and timepieces seem to erase any barriers between them and their admirers by sheer force of personality. The gems (both horological and otherwise) project an air of approachability from their eye-level perches on the wall behind the counters, coaxing even the casual shopper to consider taking a natural or mechanical marvel in his or her hands.

THE PERFECT FIT Merchandise is far from the only reason the most discerning connoisseurs opt for Cellini. A knowledgeable staff provides impeccable service before, during and after a purchase.

Cellini’s horological specialists live and breathe watches, and they draw upon this wealth of knowledge to help each watch lover find the perfect fit. For those enchanted instead by shimmering works of art, Cellini’s jewelry experts put a world of exquisite beauty at your fingertips. The experience they provide puts the emphasis on the client’s needs.

While many customers know exactly what they want, some are uncertain or hesitant. It is for them that the Cellini staff shines brightest. “Selecting a fine piece of jewelry or your first luxury watch is definitely a process; you don’t just come in and buy it. Getting to know our customers and understanding their expectations is key to assisting them in making educated decisions,” says Adams. “We take a great deal of satisfaction in helping our clients make a decision that is best for them.”

Irresistible jewels, sophisticated horology, inviting venues and dedicated staff —it’s no wonder that after 40 years Cellini continues to be one of the most respected and successful boutiques of its kind. In this wildly competitive city, where storefronts, skylines and styles change as often as the weather, Cellini’s longevity is a testament to the power of an irreplaceable experience.

Collections:
A. Lange & Söhne  •  Arnold & Son  • Audemars Piguet  • Bell & Ross  • Bulgari  • Cartier  • Chopard  • Clerc  • De Bethune  • Franck Muller  • Girard-Perregaux  • Giuliano Mazzuoli  • Greubel Forsey  • H. Moser & Cie.  • HYT  • IWC  • Jaeger-LeCoultre  • Ludovic Ballouard Maîtres du Temps  • Parmigiani Fleurier  • Piaget  • Richard Mille  • Roger Dubuis  • Ulysse Nardin  • Urwerk  • Vacheron Constantin  • Waltham  • Zenith

Locations:
509 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA

Social:


www.cellinijewelers.com

 

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Leading Watch Retailers

Carat & Co.

About Carat & Co.

Since its founding in 1988, Carat & Co. has been serving the watch and jewelry needs of its hometown of Flushing, New York—and beyond—offering exceptional service and an extensive array of well-chosen products. With Allen Mon at the helm, the store has grown from a small hotel shop selling primarily jewelry, to a full-scale boutique that carries some of the best brands available. And as the first luxury watch retailer in Flushing, it has become a destination for the local, national and inter- national clientele.

Today this family-owned and operated business includes such respected brands as Blancpain, Breguet, Omega, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin and Cartier, all engagingly displayed at the company’s recently completed boutique, which includes a variety of shop-in- shops. This new Main Street location is a four-level, 17,500-square-foot store decorated in a contemporary style, and it is the first of its kind in Flushing. The lower level includes mid-range timepieces, accessories and a service center, while the main level showcases luxury watches. The second level is designed to display haute horlogerie timepieces and jewelry, and the top level is home to the Carat & Co. jewelry boutiques and event space.

“By building a boutique-style shopping experience, each brand can showcase its products into a beautiful story,” says Allen. “My goal is to have each brand tell its own statement so customers can appreciate the history and luxury behind it.”

High-end jewelry brands like Hearts on Fire, Christopher Designs, Bulgari and Chopard, as well as accessories from Vertu, Montblanc and S. T. Dupont are all featured at Carat & Co., with each retaining its distinct personality. “It is a great way for the clients to learn and experience all that each brand has to o er under one roof,” comments Melissa, Allen’s daughter and store manager. Allen’s son and business manager Derek agrees, saying, “People don’t buy watches to tell time, people buy watches to tell stories.” He adds that, “The average watch sale at Carat & Co. is in excess of $5,000.”

Watch enthusiasts make Carat & Co. a frequent stop on their road to luxury timepieces because they know Carat & Co. will deliver the best timepieces and service. The company has built trust within the community by being a family-run business, and customers regularly stop by to converse with the family and the highly trained sales team. The store’s Chinese customers in particular love the family business aspect because in the Chinese culture family is an important value. In general, their clientele comprises Flushing residents who come in to buy a watch for themselves or as gifts. Life-long friends of the store who own many timepieces often refer their friends and family interested in purchasing a commemorative gift for occasions like graduations and anniversaries.

According to Tiffany, store manager and second daughter of Allen, “The success of our store has been the determination and relentlessness of our father, Allen,” she says. “He is a great businessman as well as salesman, and he was able to grow a small flea market shop into the biggest watch and jewelry store in Queens.”

Melissa concurs, adding that none of this would have been possible without the support and help of their late mother, Lisa. “Working together as a team, they built lasting relationships and mutual trust with their clientele, creating the customer foundation for today,” explains Tiffany. In addition, their continued growth would not have been possible without their hardworking staff, who dedicate their time and energy to maintaining client relationships and keeping up with the latest news and trends.

Philanthropy is never far from the minds and hearts of Carat & Co., and the store’s generosity is shared through such local organizations such as the Flushing BID, whose mission is to unite the leaders of the community to improve business, safety and the city’s overall success. Cycle for Survival, in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Equinox gym, is also a philanthropic commitment of Carat & Co. This cycling event held across the country, helps to raise funds and pioneer research to discover new and better treatments for rare cancers worldwide. One-hundred percent of every donation goes to funding research for these patients—many of whom have few or no treatment options. It is a charity that hits close to home for Carat & Co., with the recent loss of owner Lisa Mon, who passed away from sarcoma last year. This national fundraiser has raised over $30 million worldwide, with $105 million total to date.

Collections:
Blancpain  • Breguet  • Bulgari  • Cartier  • Chopard  • Corum  • Dior  • Franck Muller  • Glashütte Original  • Grand Seiko  • Gucci  • Hamilton  • Harry Winston  • Jaeger-LeCoultre  • Jaquet Droz  • Longines  • Mido  • Montblanc  • Movado  • Omega  • Piaget  • Rado  • Vertu  • Victorinox Swiss Army  • Zenith

Locations:
39-09 Main St, Flushing, NY 11354, USA

Social:

caratco.com

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Leading Watch Retailers

Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels

About Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels

The first twenty-five years of the Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels’ story takes as a boutique inside Miss Jackson’s, an upscale women’s specialty shop in one of the nation’s first lifestyle malls, Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Utica Square. In 2001, the jeweler moved into a new, freestanding salon that afforded twice the amount of space—3,000 square feet—and a fresh, open atmosphere. Today the store’s traditional, upscale décor is the perfect backdrop for prestigious timepieces and luxury jewelry. With more than 35 years in business, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels is regarded by many as the premier luxury jeweler in Tulsa.

Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels is proud to be an authorized dealer of some of the world’s most-celebrated Swiss timepieces including Rolex, Tudor, Baume & Mercier and David Yurman. An impressive selection of jewelry brands including Roberto Coin, David Yurman, Ippolita, Mikimoto, Penny Preville, and Kwiat, complements the store’s offerings. The jeweler also offers a bridal collection that showcases an exquisite selection of GIA-certified and Forevermark diamonds.

The store’s team of professionals insures that clients’ watch and jewelry needs are addressed with top-notch care and expertise. Employees participate in a host of brand-based training programs, and are continuously exploring brand and collector websites, in addition to a number of respected enthusiast publications. They also share feedback from industry tradeshows they attend. In addition, each team member is intent on creating positive relationships with customers, thus building trust and continuity. Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels also employs an in-house goldsmith who is at the ready for simple repairs to jewelry redesigns.

Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels has a well-developed e-commerce site at www.brucegweber.com that gives customers an opportunity to explore the world of Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels and its products from the comfort of their homes or offices. In addition to watches and jewelry, the site offers additional information about the store’s offerings, including its bridal collection, watch and jewelry repair, and gold, diamond and watch trade-ins.

Social media, including Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter, plays an important role in staying in touch with clients, as do frequent in-store events. Annual spring and holiday gatherings, as well as numerous trunk shows and designer personal appearances are held throughout the year.

Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels is dedicated not only to preserving the natural environment via its business practices, but also to improving the quality of life for its community as evidenced by the lengthy list of charities it supports. Charitable involvement is one of the foundational principles of Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels.

One of the community initiatives the store participates in is the annual Care Card program. Customers may purchase the Care Card from the jeweler for $60, entitling them to 20 percent off purchases from over 200 Tulsa merchants for a one-week period at the end of October and early November. Proceeds from the purchase of the Care Card benefit Family & Children’s Services of Tulsa. Ramping up their involvement, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels throws a kickoff party for the event each year on the night before Care Card Week which begins with several participating brands on display and their reps in attendance.

Another local initiative is the Annual Opera Ball of Tulsa, which is one of Tulsa’s longest-running society events. For participating debutantes, part of the tradition has included the gift of a special piece of keepsake jewelry, and for nearly half of the Opera Ball’s memorable history, this piece of jewelry has been a custom pearl and diamond necklace from Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels. This heirloom is a treasured memento that will last forever.

Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels is a storied landmark on Tulsa’s retail landscape. Its method for success is simple: a great selection of fine timepieces and luxury jewelry, a knowledgeable staff committed to serving their customers, and support for the community where they live.

In 2006, Bruce G. Weber Precious Jewels became part of the Diamond Cellar Holdings family, which includes Donoho’s Jewellers in The Woodlands, Texas, and Diamond Cellar in Columbus Ohio.

Collections:
Baume & Mercier  •  David Yurman  •  Rolex  •  Tudo

Locations:
1700 Utica Square, Tulsa, OK 74114, USA

Social:


www.brucegweber.com

 

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