Magazines | Ellington Jewelers Inc. in NC,United States

(336) 993-8484

Magazines

1. A Community Gem - August 2019

Locally owned & operated for over 14 years
By Amber Mabe

Perhaps at some point in your life you have been given a family heirloom. Something that was passed down through the generations and that has become priceless because of its personal meaning and the memories attached to it. For many people, their family heirloom is a treasured piece of jewelry. Bruce and Angie Hutchins, and their staff at Ellington Jewelers, know that a piece of jewelry is much more than an accessory or fashion statement. Since 2005, they have been helping the people of Kernersville and the Triad area preserve their family heirlooms and create new memories with carefully chosen pieces for every occasion. Bruce, Angie and their staff are committed to helping customers choose pieces that are not only unique, but that will stand the test of time.

With nearly four decades of experience as a jeweler, Bruce is skilled in jewelry repair, maintenance, inspection, and appraisal. His commitment to quality not only includes his own work, but also the caliber of the jewelry that Ellington Jewelers carries. “We put thought into the merchandise,” says Angie, “we think about price, but we also think about the quality of the merchandise. My husband has been in the industry for 38 years, so he knows what is going to hold up and what is not.”
Angie says customers do not need to worry that they will purchase a chain from Ellington Jewelers just to have it break within a week. Practicality and longevity of a piece are equally important to Bruce and Angie as they choose each piece to present to customers. “We won’t sell items that won’t last,” Angie says. Their commitment to quality is evident in the faithfulness of their customers. Many government officials and city employees have trusted Ellington Jewelers for their special purchases and maintenance over the years.

In addition to stocking quality merchandise, Bruce and Angie stay on top of current trends in order to provide a relevant inventory. One of the most popular trends in jewelry is silicone rings. “We had been accustomed to selling only fine jewelry and sterling silver jewelry here at Ellington Jewelers,” says Angie, “then approximately three and a half years ago we began noticing some of our customers wearing what appeared to be a rubber wedding band.” Bruce and Angie began stocking QALO silicone bands, which were founded by Ted Baker and KC Holiday, whose active lifestyles prompted them to create a band that would stand up to rigorous physical activity without causing injury to fingers. Since then, Ellington Jewelers has expanded their collection to include Aktyvus and Groove Life brands. Groove Life specializes in durable, breathable rings in a variety of colors and patterns, and each comes with a lifetime guarantee. These silicone rings are useful to anyone who lives an active lifestyle, or those whose professions make wearing a traditional wedding band impractical, such as firefighters, police officers, mechanics, electricians, and athletes, among others. “We are to a point where almost every bridal customer ends up with the couple owning a traditional wedding band as well as a silicone one for their work or active lifestyle,” says Angie.

Other current trends include a resurgence in the popularity of yellow gold, as well as rose gold jewelry for both men and women. Their current inventory includes the Keith Jack collection of Celtic and storytelling jewelry. Each piece comes with a narrative that creates its own special memory for any occasion. Also available is an assortment of Bella Cavo jewelry that can be personalized with names, dates, gps coordinates, or even customized with collegiate colors or school names for students. Ellington Jewelers is also the only jewelry store in the Piedmont area to begin carrying the Bulova Harley Davidson Watches.

Even with all these collections to choose from, sometimes the occasion merits something truly unique. Perhaps you have inherited some diamonds or other precious stones and need them to be reset into an entirely new piece of jewelry. Or perhaps you have a vision for an engagement ring but have not been able to find someone who sells what you are looking for. Bruce’s experience goes beyond repair and adjustments. He is able to create custom pieces of jewelry that will express each customer’s individuality. Bruce does all his work on site, giving customers peace of mind and individual attention throughout the process. “Jewelry buying can be daunting,” says customer Berrick Clifton, “but Bruce and Angie bring you in and make you feel like family. They cultivate a long-term relationship and make the process not only easy, but you want to come back to them over and over.”
Whether you are shopping for a piece of fashion jewelry or for a piece that will become a treasured heirloom in your own family down the road, you can be confident that Ellington Jewelers will give you an experience that goes beyond chain jewelry stores.

Whether it be choosing a gift for a loved one or designing a piece that is totally unique to you, Bruce and Angie and their associates will make sure that you are given individual care and expert advice. When you purchase a piece from Ellington Jewelers, you can be sure that you will take home something that your family will cherish for generations. Stop by and check out their selection at 123 N Main St, Kernersville or call 336.993.8484 for more information.

2. A Trusted Team - October 2014

by Patty Jo Sawvel ~ From the baseball diamond to diamond jewelry, this trusted team has hit a home run in Kernersville… When Bruce Hutchins signed up his son, Matthew for Little League, he did not just drop him at the field, he actually joined the team himself as the assistant coach. The following year, when the coach stepped aside, Bruce stepped up. He quickly earned the trust of the players and their parents.

“The tendency,” Bruce explained, “is for coaches to advance the interests of their own child. But I did not do that. Matthew had to earn his place just like everyone else.”

Parents were quickly convinced that Bruce would put the players in the position that best served the whole team. And, indeed, in the first year under Bruce’s leadership, the team made it all the way to the championships. The following year, the team was undefeated and claimed the championship!

However, more was gained than the trophy. Bruce won the hearts of his Kernersville neighbors because they witnessed his fairness and honesty under test. So when Bruce—a jeweler by trade with 15 years of experience—decided to open his own jewelry store in Kernersville, these Little League parents were among his first customers.

Now, 14 years after Bruce’s four-year involvement with Little League, the players are visiting Ellington Jewelers. Those awkward 9-12 year olds have grown-up and are ready to claim the gem of their lives. They trust Bruce and his beautiful bride and business partner, Angie to find them the “perfect” engagement ring.

One such player, and now assistant vice-president of a bank, Neal Parnell said, “He earned my trust when I was playing ball, but he earned my trust as a jeweler when he took two days to educate me about engagement rings. Then he custom created a ring that my fiancé, Lindsey, found on the Internet. Lindsey was ecstatic!”

That was four years ago. However, in the past three months, three other ball players have come in—unbeknownst to each other—to buy engagement rings for their brides from the guy who can coach them to make their best choice.

Most people hear about Ellington Jewelers from friends and family. Mac Clement, the father of twin 17-year-olds, heard about Ellington’s from friends at church.

“I really like the personal attention that I get from Bruce and Angie. They can help me find jewelry for my daughters that is different and stands out. They also help me find gifts for my wife who is more traditional in her taste,” Mac shared.

Actually, the variety of jewelry amazes most people the first time they step into the store. Located at 123 N. Main Street in Historic Downtown Kernersville—this rather long and narrow treasure chest is home to over 21 popular collections such as; Le Vian, O.W.L., La Costa Organic Jewelry, Bulova, Gabriel & Co. of New York, and the new Endless Jewelry collection.

“Endless Jewelry,” explained Angie Hutchins “was created by Jesper Nielsen, the CEO at Pandora. Now he has launched his own brand globally and we have the exclusive rights for Kernersville, Walkertown, Colfax, and Oak Ridge.”

Kay Bare was waiting for the first shipment of Endless Jewelry at the time of this writing and said, “I call this jewelry my ‘good’ fashion jewelry. I can use it to dress up or down and it is affordable.”

Kay also loves the Kameleon collection. She claims that having three Kameleon rings is really like having 30 rings because she can quickly replace the “jewel pops” to match the color of her outfit. She recently bought her 5-year-old great-niece a Kameleon necklace for Sunday wear. Her first jewel pop sports a tiny turtle and she loves it.

Unbelievably, those four walls at Ellington Jewelers holds another treasure—estate jewelry. This has become the favorite section for Jennifer Harris.

“I saw a beautiful ruby bracelet,” whispered Jennifer. “It was stunning! I never would have dreamed that I could own it, but Angie told me I could put it on layaway. That is when my addiction began. They are making my dreams come true.”

Jennifer also said that Ellington’s shopping experience is different. “When I walk into other stores, I sometimes feel like a target. But Bruce and Angie make me feel like a neighbor and friend. I have been into a lot of jewelry stores and Ellington’s is the most wonderful place of all.”

Some people do not go to Ellington’s looking for estate jewelry, because they have their own. Such is the case with Camilla Casault. Her father passed away in 1977 and his heirloom quality gold initialed cufflinks sat in a box collecting dust until last year.

“Had I given each of my children one of their grandfather’s cufflinks,” explained Camilla, “it likely would have just sat in the bottom of their jewelry box. But instead, Bruce custom crafted a beautiful necklace for my daughter—and the ‘C’ works perfectly because her first name begins with a ‘C’—and a gorgeous ID bracelet for my son. We gave the family jewelry a new life!”

Because Bruce and Angie live in Kernersville—Bruce actually grew up in Kernersville and graduated from East Forsyth High School—they often see their clients around town. While they cannot be all places at all times, Kernersville neighbors often see traces of Ellington Jewelers even when Bruce and Angie are not there.

Charlene Caudill noted, “The first time I really met Ellington Jewelers was when I attended an auction to benefit Next Step Ministries. I won the bid on a ring they had donated. I went to Ellington’s to learn more about my ring and I have been going back ever since.”

In fact, Ellington Jewelers is known to be a trusted team player when it comes to supporting the programs that support the Kernersville community. They regularly donate jewelry or funds to The Shepherd’s Center, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, YMCA, Little League, and more.

As Angie said, “The Lord has blessed us with work we love to do and a community that supports us. I thank the Lord for continuing to pour out His blessings.”

Award-winning journalist Patty Jo Sawvel can be contacted at pjsawvel@gmail.com.

3. A Natural Fit - April 2010

by Patty Jo Sawvei

Many Americans dream of the day when they will open their own business. But that was not the case with Bruce and Angie Hutchins. When opportunity came knocking, they locked the door.

"I’m not a big risk-taker," Bruce confessed. "At the time, I had just three years left on my mortgage, my two children, Matt and Meredith, were nearly grown, and I was ready to have sonic stress lifted off my shoulders."

And yet, the opportunity to open their own jewelry store was such a natural fit for this couple that they decided to reconsider. Bruce and Angie actually met at a jewelry store when they were 16 years old.

Each of them was in DECA at school—a pro-gram that allows students to attend school for half-a-day and to work for half-a-day. Though Bruce attended East Forsyth High School in Kernersville and Angie attended Parkland, both of them were assigned to work at Brendle’s in Winston-Salem.

Bruce started out in the warehouse and Angie began in fine jewelry.

"I always loved jewelry" Angie said excitedly, "but the only thing I really knew about it was that it sparkled! At Brendle’s they taught me all about gems and the difference between jewelry that looks good and jewelry that is good."

In time, Bruce was offered an opportunity to attend jewelry repair school and returned to the company as a Bench Jeweler and soon advanced to Jewelry Manager. By this time, Angie realized that Bruce was the gem of her life, and management quickly moved her to accounting.

From there, the years sped by quickly. The couple married and to comply with the no-married-couples rule of the company, Angie took an accounting position with what is now US Airways.

Bruce continued with Brendle’s for 10 years until a major jewelry store in Winston-Salem hired him.

He’d just completed 15 years of service when Bruce’s cousin, Steve Hutchins, alerted this couple to a great op-portunity in Kernersville.

A downtown storefront—which had been a jewelry store for 30 years—was becoming available. It was a prime location because the community associated the address with jewelry and repairs. Best of all, if Bruce was ever going to open his own business, he wanted it to be in his hometown of Kemersville.

"My cousin convinced me that we could do it," Bruce admitted. "I had the experience and reputation as a jeweler and Angie loved jewelry and sales and could do the accounting."

It was a natural fit, and yet, it was not easy. The couple had to take a second mortgage on their home, find a way to open the store with limited inventory, and be prepared to outlast the two years that it typically takes for a new business to take root.

Opening day, August 28, 2005 set the pattern for what Bruce and Angie could expect for the coming years in their business. The first customer was a neighbor who wanted to enhance his wife’s wedding ring with bigger diamonds for their anniversary.

Soon, other neighbors from around town were coming in. A retired man, whose wife had recently passed away, desired to make a keepsake from their wed-ding bands. Bruce crafted the man’s ring into a square and suspended the wife’s band in the center. Now, this man wears his golden memento on a neck chain.

Another man accidentally dropped his wedding ring into his garbage disposal while it was running.

"The ring was mangled and he was sure there was nothing I could do with it," Bruce explained, "but I filled in the gold that was chopped out and straightened the stones and he was amazed when he picked it up. Someone who didn’t know it was damaged could never tell."

While Ellington Jewelers is known for its expertise in crafting, repair, and design, plenty of neighbors come in to buy fine jewelry for themselves and their loved ones. And often, it is Angie’s expertise in beauty, design, and custom quality that saves the day.

"I wanted to give my wife something really special for Christmas," explained Curtis Swisher, "but I didn’t know exactly what to buy. Angie had a great suggestion. She showed me a mother’s ring with the birth stones of our three children and my wife loved it!"

Actually, it was a little more complicated than that. The typical mother’s ring looked much too matronly for Tina Swisher. So Angie showed Curtis a wide diamond anniversary band with three larger diamonds in the center. Then she called the company reps to if they could replace the diamonds with the children’s birth-stones.

"The ring was gorgeous," Angie exclaimed, "and it had a modern flair with the wide white-gold band and the large stones! I could see that Curtis was very pleased when he saw it."

Wedding rings are also such a thrill for Bruce and Angie. Recently, Andrew Johnson came into the store after a friend suggested that a trip to Ellington’s might end his frustration in trying to find the right en-gagement ring for his girlfriend.

"I wanted something very special but I had a short time frame and a budget. Bruce ordered the stones on Friday" Andrew explained, "set them on the band on Tuesday and I was engaged the following Saturday. By far, Bruce had the highest quality and the most reasonable prices."

Bruce is also known as a jeweler that can be trusted and that is important when neighbors bring in heirloom and irreplaceable jewelry.

"My great-grandmother was an opera singer," explained Joan Weaver, "and I needed repair work done on her solid garnet bracelet, with matching earrings, ring, and broach. When Bruce was done, it looked brand new. Bruce recommended that I have it appraised due to its high value. Earlier, another jeweler told me it was junk and offered to buy it for $50. I trust Bruce."

While many neighbors do come to Ellington’s for custom work and repairs, a substantial number of people buy jewelry right off the shelf. This is because Ellington’s is small and it can not afford to waste space by stocking items that can be readily found in other jewelry stores.

"Angie does an excellent job selecting the jewelry," shared Jeanne Manuel. "rye shopped in many big cities and at the best jewelry stores and I and that Ellington’s has extraordinary jewelry—jewelry that makes a statement—and they have it at great prices."

It’s easy to see why Bruce and Angie are so happy. They spend their days helping their neighbors repair the past, create the future, and resize the present with the lasting beauty of precious metals and gemstones. Opening their own jewelry store has genuinely proved to be a natural fit.

"Now," said Bruce, "it’s our way of life. It’s what we love. It’s what we do." Angie added, "We want to thank our customers, and most of all we thank the Lord for continuing to pour out His blessings on us."

Free Jewelry Tips

Clean your diamond jewelry with rubbing alcohol and a soft brush.
Chlorine in swimming pools and cleaning products will make your gold jewelry brittle.
Dirt hastens wear. Visit a jeweler once a year to have your jewelry inspected and professionally cleaned.
Personal jewelry insurance is available to protect you from loss or theft.

More About Ellington jewelers

Bruce & Angie Hutchins, owners
Repairs done in house, remounts
Fine Jewelry for every occasion
29 years experience

Located at 123 N. Main Street Historic Downtown Kernersville
993-8484 | infoellington@aol.com

Where Exceptional Quality and Unique Designs Meet!

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