Solomon Pond Mall jewelers can add sparkle to Valentine’s Day
Photo/Nancy Brumback
By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Marlborough—If your Valentine’s Day plans are a cut above roses and chocolate, or if you plan to pop “the question” on this romantic holiday, Hannoush Jewelers and Goldstein Swank & Gordon present a wide variety of jewelry gifts and bridal jewelry at their stores in the center of the Solomon Pond Mall.
Hannoush is a family-owned jeweler, based in Springfield, which started in the jewelry business in 1980 and currently operates about 55 stores. Hannoush purchased Goldstein Swank & Gordon, a Worcester jeweler since 1899, over 20 years ago, keeping that jeweler’s exclusive lines and the historic name on two stores, in the Solomon Pond and Auburn malls.
Tony Bitar, manager of the Hannoush store, noted the store has doubled its selection of engagement rings and wedding bands over the past year and a half, and the experienced staff can advise couples on this momentous purchase.
The trend now is halo style engagement rings, a central diamond surrounded by smaller stones, and, while white gold continues to dominate, yellow gold settings are also becoming popular again. Men’s wedding bands tend to the traditional white or yellow gold, though less expensive non-precious metals such as tungsten carbide also find favor with grooms.
Hannoush does a great deal of custom design. “We have a designer in Springfield who can take a couple’s sketch and create a unique piece of jewelry for them,” Bitar said.
For that special Valentine’s gift, Bitar noted that necklaces with hearts, diamonds or colored gemstones are always popular, and “promise rings” with a small diamond or other stones can mark a special relationship.
Goldstein Swank & Gordon is showcasing Alor, a line of contemporary fashion jewelry including pieces in stainless steel with gold accents, that make special gifts, noted Freddy Beshara, manager of the Goldstein Swank & Gordon store.
“The pavé look in necklaces and bracelets is also popular,” he said. Pavé describes a method of setting small diamonds or other gemstones close together to cover the piece of jewelry.
For more casual looks, both stores offer jewelry from Pandora and pieces with magnetic closures from Petra Azar. Hannoush also carries Alex and Ani designs and a popular line of Les Georgettes bracelets in different metals with interchangeable colored leather inserts.
Goldstein Swank & Gordon places a greater emphasis on its watch business, including high-end brands Rolex, Tag Heuer and Michele. “Rolex watches are very popular,” Beshara said. “Watches for both men and women are more a piece of jewelry than a timepiece.”
Hannoush features men’s and women’s watches from Movado, Seiko and Citizen.
Both men emphasized the value of buying fine jewelry from an experienced retailer rather than online.
“Our prices are very competitive, and we offer personal service. If there is ever an issue, we will address it,” said Bitar.
“An engagement ring can look very different when it is on the hand. It’s important to try on rings. And when someone is ordering a ring with stones on the side, we prefer to make the ring in the right size so the stones fit well.”
“We can size rings up or down, and replace any lost stones. It’s service you can’t get online,” Bitar added.
Beshara warned that the brands of fine watches Goldstein Swank & Gordon sells are not available online, and people who think they are getting those brands online risk buying reconditioned pieces or counterfeit watches.
The two stores are located in the Solomon Pond Mall in Marlborough. For additional information, call Hannoush at 508-303-6595 and Goldstein Swank & Gordon at 508-624-9994.
