A Community Gem
BY AMBER MABE
Perhaps at some point in your life you have been given a family heirloom. Something that was passed down through the generations and that has become priceless because of its personal meaning and the memories attached to it. For many people, their family heirloom is a treasured piece of jewelry. Bruce and Angie Hutchins, and their staff at Ellington Jewelers, know that a piece of jewelry is much more than an accessory or fashion statement. Since 2005, they have been helping the people of Kernersville and the Triad area preserve their family heirlooms and create new memories with carefully chosen pieces for every occasion. Bruce, Angie and their staff are committed to helping customers choose pieces that are not only unique, but that will stand the test of time.
With nearly four decades of experience as a jeweler, Bruce is skilled in jewelry repair, maintenance, inspection, and appraisal. His commitment to quality not only includes his own work, but also the caliber of the jewelry that Ellington Jewelers carries. “We put thought into the merchandise,” says Angie, “we think about price, but we also think about the quality of the merchandise. My husband has been in the industry for 38 years, so he knows what is going to hold up and what is not.”
Angie says customers do not need to worry that they will purchase a chain from Ellington Jewelers just to have it break within a week. Practicality and longevity of a piece are equally important to Bruce and Angie as they choose each piece to present to customers. “We won’t sell items that won’t last,” Angie says. Their commitment to quality is evident in the faithfulness of their customers. Many government officials and city employees have trusted Ellington Jewelers for their special purchases and maintenance over the years.
In addition to stocking quality merchandise, Bruce and Angie stay on top of current trends in order to provide a relevant inventory. One of the most popular trends in jewelry is silicone rings. “We had been accustomed to selling only fine jewelry and sterling silver jewelry here at Ellington Jewelers,” says Angie, “then approximately three and a half years ago we began noticing some of our customers wearing what appeared to be a rubber wedding band.” Bruce and Angie began stocking QALO silicone bands, which were founded by Ted Baker and KC Holiday, whose active lifestyles prompted them to create a band that would stand up to rigorous physical activity without causing injury to fingers. Since then, Ellington Jewelers has expanded their collection to include Aktyvus and Groove Life brands. Groove Life specializes in durable, breathable rings in a variety of colors and patterns, and each comes with a lifetime guarantee. These silicone rings are useful to anyone who lives an active lifestyle, or those whose professions make wearing a traditional wedding band impractical, such as firefighters, police officers, mechanics, electricians, and athletes, among others. “We are to a point where almost every bridal customer ends up with the couple owning a traditional wedding band as well as a silicone one for their work or active lifestyle,” says Angie.
Other current trends include a resurgence in the popularity of yellow gold, as well as rose gold jewelry for both men and women. Their current inventory includes the Keith Jack collection of Celtic and storytelling jewelry. Each piece comes with a narrative that creates its own special memory for any occasion. Also available is an assortment of Bella Cavo jewelry that can be personalized with names, dates, gps coordinates, or even customized with collegiate colors or school names for students. Ellington Jewelers is also the only jewelry store in the Piedmont area to begin carrying the Bulova Harley Davidson Watches.
Even with all these collections to choose from, sometimes the occasion merits something truly unique. Perhaps you have inherited some diamonds or other precious stones and need them to be reset into an entirely new piece of jewelry. Or perhaps you have a vision for an engagement ring but have not been able to find someone who sells what you are looking for. Bruce’s experience goes beyond repair and adjustments. He is able to create custom pieces of jewelry that will express each customer’s individuality. Bruce does all his work on site, giving customers peace of mind and individual attention throughout the process. “Jewelry buying can be daunting,” says customer Berrick Clifton, “but Bruce and Angie bring you in and make you feel like family. They cultivate a long-term relationship and make the process not only easy, but you want to come back to them over and over.” Whether you are shopping for a piece of fashion jewelry or for a piece that will become a treasured heirloom in your own family down the road, you can be confident that Ellington Jewelers will give you an experience that goes beyond chain jewelry stores.
Whether it be choosing a gift for a loved one or designing a piece that is totally unique to you, Bruce and Angie and their associates will make sure that you are given individual care and expert advice. When you purchase a piece from Ellington Jewelers, you can be sure that you will take home something that your family will cherish for generations. Stop by and check out their selection at 123 N Main St, Kernersville or call 336.993.8484 for more information.