Just as no two snowflakes are exactly alike, the same is true of the exquisite original designs created by Mark A. Young Jewelers, now entering its sixth year in downtown Oxford.
When searching for that perfect combination of gem stone and precious metal to express how you feel about a loved one, do you really want to buy it from a place that calls itself a ‘factory? or has showcases full of identical pieces produced by an assembly line full of third-rate jewelers?
Why express your unique feelings with a piece of standard jewelry that thousands of other people are wearing?
You and the person you’re shopping for deserve better than that. You both deserve the personalized service, attention to detail and cutting-edge, creative flare that can only come from a master jeweler like Mark A. Young.
‘We walk them through each step from the design process to the fabrication of the finished piece,? said Young, who is backed by three decades of experience. ‘It’s all tailored to them.?
‘What’s most important is the ability to read what the customer wants and understand what they’re ultimately trying to achieve with their piece,? he noted.
Young constantly strives to offer his cliental pieces that are both fresh, yet timeless.
That’s why in January he started selling The Lucere Diamond ? a square-cut diamond that’s actually shaped like an octagon, but with the ‘maximum brilliance of a round-cut diamond.?
‘It’s a newer cut that still has a classic look to it ? something that will still look good 35 years from now,? said Young, noting each Lucere Diamond is precision (or gauge) cut in the United States to perfectly reflect the light.
For those with engagement rings on their minds, Young said The Lucere Diamond offers a ‘nice alternative? to the standard Princess cut diamond (another square-cut), which has been a popular choice for many years.
‘Everybody’s got one,? he said. ‘It’s saturated the market.?
While the customer can choose whatever setting they want for their Lucere Diamond, Young noted that yellow gold is making a resurgence in popularity. ‘The Europeans have been working in yellow for the last two or three years now,? he explained. ‘The U.S. is typically behind the trends by about three years.?
‘I’ve had a lot of people come in who want their yellow gold ring turned into white gold,? Young noted. ‘I tell them in reality they’re on the cutting edge because yellow is coming back.?
For those looking for a piece of jewelry that makes a statement and is functional, Young invites customers to consider the Cyma line of watches.
Each time piece is ‘well-crafted? from the perfectly machined case to strap or bracelet, according to Young.
As one of the last Swiss manufacturers who is both privately and family owned, the 100-year-old Cyma firm is ‘very particular? about who carries its time pieces noted for their precise mechanical and quartz (battery) movements.
Only about 500 jewelers nationwide are entrusted with Cyma products. Young, who chairs the Oxford Downtown Development Authority, has carried them for 3? years.
Cyma watches range in price from $250 to $25,000, but all possess the exact same quality and are backed by a two-year warranty. Young stands behind the product so much he personally offers a third year on the warranty.
If by some chance, Young is not at the store to personally serve you ? which is a very rare occasion ? he has a wonderful, knowledgable staff ready to step in on his behalf.
Jeweler David Bullinger has eight years experience and coincidentally apprenticed under the very same master jeweler as Young, ensuring a continuity in the quality of each piece that’s created or repaired.
Sales representative Michelle Corcoran is there to offer clients her expert opinion as a graduate gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America, the foremost authority on gem stones and the most respected organization in the trade.
‘Dealing with them is the same as dealing with me,? Young said. ‘They’re both easy going and quality conscious.?
As always Young is willing to take antique or unwanted jewelry on trade toward a new piece from his shop.
‘It keeps things affordable for people and allows them to get something new,? he said.
Mark A. Young Jewelers is located at 31 N. Washington St. in the heart of downtown Oxford. For store hours or more information call (248) 969-3211.