Becky Whelan of Cecil’s Fine Jewelry talks about the newest collection from designer Alex Sepkus.
Q: How do you personalize the jewelry buying experience?
A: Our customers choose to come to Cecil’s for a specific reason, as we are a destination store. As the owner, I want every customer who walks through our door to feel that we are truly interested in each and every one of them, regardless of whether they make a purchase. Face it, a watch battery doesn’t rock your world like an engagement ring, but the end result should be the same…quality and satisfaction. I want our customers to enjoy their time in the store, and I want them to want to come back.
What advice do you give jewelry customers?
Shop where you are most comfortable, at the store where you feel most confident in the jewelry selection. Over 50 percent of our business is from referrals. Our female customers are not afraid to send their men into our store because they know we will take excellent care of them. Also, really love what you purchase! If you are not going to wear it, we encourage you to bring it back and choose something that you will wear and truly enjoy.
What makes something a conversation piece?
A conversation piece can be anything that lends itself to being noticed and talked about, whether good or bad. I like to think that our jewelry at Cecil’s is appealing to men and women alike because the pieces are unique without being totally over the top. Our Alex Sepkus line demonstrates this concept perfectly. Needless to say, any one of his designs would most definitely be a great conversation piece.
What makes your partnership special?
Alex Sepkus is more than just a designer of jewelry; he is a true artist. He does not follow trends, nor does he focus on mass production. He simply creates beautiful things.
How does the collection stand apart?
In a world full of designers scrambling to turn fine jewelry into an offshoot of fashion industry trends, Alex is so focused he never feels the need to chase anything. Why should he? His vision is big, but his design detailing is so small he requires a microscope to execute it. Alex’s personal design philosophy is that jewelry is totally unnecessary. Nobody “needs” jewelry, it is meant to be fun, not serious, and should be worn and enjoyed every day.