WILLIAMSBURG— Williamsburg Jewelers will mark a combined 100 years in the jewelry industry among two craftsmen May 9 with a customer appreciation event at the store.
Michael Fagan, owner of Williamsburg Jewelers, has been in the jewelry industry for 40 years and joined forces with retired Colonial Williamsburg Master Silversmith, James Curtis, who has 60 years in the jewelry world. Together, the two came up with the idea to celebrate both their milestones together.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the store will offer discounts of 30% to 50%, refreshments and prize drawings.
According to Williamsburg Jewelers, Curtis began his craft as a silversmith in 1965 at Colonial Williamsburg. In 1980, he was named Master Silversmith for the Foundation. For over 60 years, Curtis has specialized in creating handcrafted cuffs and other fine silver pieces, continuing a 3,000-year-old tradition of silversmithing. His work has been gifted to dignitaries around the world, including four U.S. Presidents, Queen Elizabeth, King Charles, John Wayne and many others.
As a juried member of the Society of American Silversmiths, Curtis has lectured internationally on the art of silversmithing and the journey to becoming a master.
“I had to do all these talks when I was working at Colonial Williamsburg at various universities. But what I found was, I liked being at the bench. I liked creating the bracelets and the larger projects that I would make,” Curtis recalls.
Today, he continues to create each piece by hand exclusively for guests of Williamsburg Jewelers, preserving the timeless craft he has spent a lifetime perfecting.
“I was so glad once I met Michael. I’m still pleased about doing what I do. It’s not for the money, it’s all about the people that you meet and the people that you talk to,” Curtis said about his partnership with Fagan.
Fagan’s introduction to the jewelry business came after an early career move, where he managed the books for a jewelry store. On one busy day, the sales team needed help and he was encouraged by the manager to try his hand at selling jewelry. Fagan obliged and found that he loved the entire experience.
“It was such an exhilarating experience. I remember selling a $1500 ring to this couple and everything about the purchase was happy. At the end of the day, my boss came and put a $50 bill in my hand and said congregations on making a big sale,” Fagan recalled.
It was after that when Fagan realized that all sides of his brain could be used in the jewelry business. Fagan said that his analytical brain could be used in the bookkeeping aspects of the job and his scientific mind could be satisfied through the features of the gems.
“I found it to be a great way to meet my social needs as well. I could create conversations, make friends, and build relationships,” Fagan added.
Both Fagan and Curtis agreed that being able to be part of people’s happy moments is what being in this industry is all about.
“Ninety-eight percent of the time, we’re celebrating something happy with our guests and that appeals to me because I get to celebrate people’s most wonderful moments in their lives. People buy jewelry gifts for births, engagements, weddings, anniversary, Mother’s Day, and Christmas and generally speaking, it’s almost always a happy occasion,” they shared.
Fagan says that he is proud of the business he has built, but added that it is truly because the community supported him that it has all been possible.
“During our set-up process, before we’d even officially opened for business in January of 2019, I saw my friend Robby Wiley, of Virginia Beer Company, walking past my store toward a networking meeting at a neighboring restaurant. On his way out, he saw me working and knocked on my door. I invited him in and he excitedly told me that he was going to propose to Lindsay soon – and he asked me about engagement rings,” Fagan explained. “Over the course of a few days, Robby and I discussed all the details of the perfect ring for his bride-to-be, and on my very first day officially open, Robby purchased Lindsay’s custom-designed engagement ring! I took that as a very positive omen, as most new jewelry stores are not so fortunate to start their business by helping with such a meaningful customer experience. I took it as a sign that I needed to commit to supporting the local community – after all, how wonderful it was that Robby, another local business owner, could’ve shopped anywhere for his engagement ring…but he waited for me to officially open.”
To learn more, visit williamsburgjewelers.com.