Park Jewelers

by Kevin Fritz

Nostalgia, defined as a longing for the past, made its way back into many facets of our culture during the pandemic, from music to clothes to our outward appearance. Even in the world of jewelry, what was once old is new again – but this time with a twist.

“We stay up-to-date on all of the newest trends,” says Tony Tsirigotis, the owner of Park Jewelers, who is celebrating his 38th holiday season in the jewelry business this year. “Things have changed in the past few years, and information is now at our fingertips, particularly through social media.”

The Lake Mary-based, family-owned jeweler located in the Park Place plaza at the intersection of International Parkway and State Road 46A, is seeing a new wave of nostalgia emerge, a trend that transcends age.

“These aren’t trends that will be gone in a year or two,” says Tony’s wife Sylvie, who works alongside Tony and his kids Maria and Demetre at Park Jewelers. On-site jeweler Matt Willingham rounds out the staff. “These trends will always be around because they are simply a new take on the classics.”

Sylvie says classic jewelry like the tennis bracelet and tennis necklace has not only gained in popularity but is now being paired with other pieces at different lengths, creating a brand-new layered look.

“The multi-layered look is a spin on traditional styles,” Sylvie adds. “Yellow gold is back and being alternated with white gold and layered in stacks of bangles. Women are stacking bracelets and rings, creating their own           personal style.”

Sylvie is even noticing a nostalgic trend with engagement rings and wedding bands, mostly a return to traditional settings. But the twist she sees, especially with engagement rings, is pairing them with a diamond band on both sides. She adds that mixing and matching is another popular trend.

“Dressy with a blinged-out classic look is in,” she explains. “It’s a look that can be worn casual or dressy, such as an elegant chain with diamonds by the inch mixed with a diamond-encrusted Cuban link.”

But it’s not just the women mixing, matching, and layering pieces these days. Tony has seen a tremendous surge in the purchase of men’s jewelry, once a big part of culture decades ago.

“Men’s jewelry is coming back with yellow gold chains and bracelets,” he says. “Young men – teens, grads – want gold chains. We have sold more gold to men lately than in the past 20 years.”

One of the top vendors for Park Jewelers, Shy Creation from California, has caught the eye of both young men and women.

“Their selections are self-purchasing items,” says Tony. “They are being bought for any age group including teenagers for graduations, sweet 16 parties, or Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.”

He says both Shy Creation – featured on The Bachelorette – and Roberto Coin, a high-end Italian designer whose jewelry is exclusively available in Lake Mary at Park Jewelers, are the featured vendors at the store’s annual holiday events, scheduled for December 4 and 11 this year.

The catered events are a great opportunity to spread some holiday cheer, says Tony, and he promises that Park Jewelers has the perfect gift for that special someone this year. He says not to miss the Roberto Coin diamonds by the inch with a paper clip chain.

Customers Are Number One

Fine jewelry aside, Tony’s top priority has always been customer service. He is busy spreading that word to all of the new arrivals to the area.

“We have a lot of new clients from the northeast and as far west as California,” says Tony. “I want all newcomers to know we treat every one of our customers like family and offer the same customer service regardless             of budget.”

And if a customer doesn’t see what they are looking for in the display cases, custom pieces are Tony’s specialty.

“Custom jewelry is a huge part of our business,” he says, noting that jewelry repair and custom designs are done on-site.

“Above all, we appreciate our customers supporting us, and we love seeing all the new faces coming into the store,” says Sylvie. “We love building relationships through trust. Our ultimate goal is developing customers for life.”