By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Business name: Towne & Country Jewelers
Address: 164 Milk St. (Routes 9 and 135), Westborough
Owner: James Sinerate
Contact information: 508-366-7232
How long has Towne & Country been in business?
“I'se been here since December 1977. Prior to that, I helped manage another jewelry store for 16 years,” said Jim Sinerate, owner of Town & Country Jewelers.
“This is a great community to be a part of, and I enjoy all aspects of the jewelry industry. I am motivated to help people and consider myself fortunate to have a personal connection with customers.
“Ten years ago, I joined the Independent Jewelers Organization, an independent buying group. Membership allows me to buy from many small designers and manufacturers who only sell to independents. As a result, I have a blend of many creative and unusual pieces as well as more traditional lines.”
What services do you offer?
“I am a full service jewelry store. I do watch service and all kinds of jewelry repair.
“I restore antique jewelry, using lasers now instead of working with a torch. If you use a torch, the whole piece is heated up, including any stones. If you have an antique filigree ring and part of the filigree is broken, before, when you heated it, you had no control where the gold would flow. Now I can pinpoint exactly where I want the heat to be and the rest of the piece will stay cool.
“I gladly clean and check rings and other jewelry at no cost to the customer to assist them with preventive care.”
Who are some of the designers you feature?
“I buy from a new designer, Bastian Inverun from Germany, which presents a contemporary European look with very high-grade silver.
“Another designer, Arlee Kasselman of Arizona, crafts mostly silver with genuine stones that are hand-cut. Every spring and every fall her line changes completely.
“Another line I enjoy carrying is Galatea from California. The process used to create these pieces starts with cultured pearls, hand-drills them and inserts diamonds in the pearlsâ”without breaking them. In some pieces, the designer has inserted a turquoise bead in a pearl, cultivated it, carved around the pearl to expose the turquoise, then drilled it and inserted a diamond. It really is an amazingly creative procedure.
“Those are just a few of the unusual pieces I offer.”
What are the trends in wedding jewelry?
“Popular in men's wedding bands is a contemporary metal–cobalt chrome. Customers can buy a beautiful man's ring for $240, as opposed to white gold for $850, or a cobalt chrome ring with black diamonds for $495.
“For women, round stones are always number one, and second is princess-cut diamonds. White diamonds are still the most popular, and most girls prefer a platinum or white gold setting.”
How do your prices compare to chain jewelry stores?
“I price items to be affordable, yet fashionable. I want customers trusting that their purchases and their repairs are of the highest quality and priced fairly.”
