John
Field III, A&E’s jewelry designer, Molly Harrington, and
Fred Alter, President of A&E Diamond & Gold, Inc. at
Pennichuck Square, Merrimack NH. It truly shows what you
can do, or for that matter what you can get get, if you
study hard in school. This spring, when Molly Harrington, 5th
grade student from Heron Pond Elementary School received her
gift of a gold claddagh ring ordered by her Mom and her
Grandmother from us at A&E and then had it sized, John
Field, our designer, told her… “If she got all A’s in school
this year ending in June, he’d put a DIAMOND in the ring for
her as her reward”. Low and behold she came in when school
was out this June with her report card showing us she got
all A’s…..subsequently, Molly got her Diamond!!! Just goes
to show you that a little good faith and some hard work
definitely pays off! Congratulations Molly, and great job
A&E for following through and promoting great studying in
our community!!!
Photo by rolanne bunker
A&E Diamond & Gold - Your
“destination jeweler”
By Amanda MacFadgen
Progress Writer
The experienced and skilled
staff at A&E Diamond & Gold in Merrimack, from left to
right, Andrew Ciminera, Jr. (Sales
Consultant), Marie DePasquale (Sales Consultant), Fred Alter
(Owner/President), Brenda Wimpenney (Manager), and John
Field III (Custom Jeweler) |
MERRIMACK NH - When you walk into A&E
Diamond & Gold in Pennichuck Square in Merrimack, it may take a
moment for you to realize it is not your average jewelry store,
it is a labor of love for everyone involved. Just ask anyone
that works there, from the sales consultants behind the counters
to the jewelry designer diligently creating at his bench, they
all love jewelry at A&E and before you leave, so will you.
Glass cases line the bright, cozy showroom filled with a variety
of fine jewelry from classic to creative - each carefully
displayed item a work of art. Whether you prefer gold or silver,
diamonds or semi-precious stones, cultured or fresh water
pearls, there is something for everyone at A&E – and you’ll get
it at a great discount. If you can’t find what you are looking
for in the case, their experienced jeweler can help you create
your dream in their on-site state-of-the-art design and repair
center. “You won’t find the type of jewelry we have everywhere”,
says A&E Diamond & Gold President Fred Alter. “Our jewelry is as
beautiful and unique as the customers who buy it”.
After more than 40 years in the business, he should know. Alter
started his career as a stock boy in Boston’s renowned Jewelers
Building at the age of fourteen. He quickly moved into sales
consultation, leaving even experienced professionals floundering
in his wake. Eventually he became a principal of Karten
Jewelers, one of the areas most well known jewelry chains until
it was sold in 1994. “I love the public. I still get a thrill
out of creating and selling jewelry even after forty years, it’s
just so much fun.”
Since 1998, Alter has brought his vast experience and skill to
A&E. A self described “destination jeweler”, A&E is a place that
people come to when they know they are in the market to buy fine
jewelry. At A&E, they carry designer lines of jewelry available
at only the finest jewelers, and they guarantee the lowest
prices in New England. They also carry an extensive selection of
certified loose diamonds available to the public at wholesale
prices, so customers can turn their glittering dreams into a
real masterpiece.
After you choose the perfect diamond or stone, head jeweler John
Field, III, can create the ultimate design and setting in A&E’s
on-site design and repair center. Field is a second generation
jeweler who brings seventeen years experience to the jeweler’s
bench at A&E. He has spent years working under Master Jewelers
to fine tune his artistic abilities. Field will be studying
under Master Engraver Sam Alfano to further hone his skills,
this summer. Field is passionate about collaborating with people
to bring their ideas and visions to life. “I try to really
listen to the customer,” says Field. “I get a real feel for what
they are looking for and then make their dream a reality.” By
creating preliminary hand carved wax designs, customers can make
changes until the design meets their exact vision, before
immortalizing it in the precious metal of their choice. An
expert at repairing and re-fabricating antique and art deco
jewelry, Field can perform all jewelry repairs on-site keeping
family heirlooms safe and secure.
Precious and semi-precious stones including rubies, emeralds and
sapphires or topaz, amethyst and tanzanite are also very popular
items. According to consultants, precious pink and rainbow
sapphires, made popular by Hollywood’s elite, like Jennifer
Lopez are all the rage. Semi-precious jewelry made out of
tanzanite is also in very high demand. Choose from an assortment
of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets on display or have them
custom create the perfect item for you. Prices start at $150 -
$200 and up, depending on stones and settings. If there is
something you particularly like at A&E, be sure to put it on a
“Wish List”, so that special someone knows exactly what you
want. “Our ‘Wish List’ is great,” “You get what you wish for and it makes the gift-giver
look like a hero – so everybody wins.”
But the thing that Alter feels really sets A&E apart from their
competitors is customer service. Besides the 40 years experience
Alter brings to the business, A&E’s new Manager Brenda Wimpenney
has spent more than a quarter century in the jewelry business.
In addition, each sales person on staff is an experienced
jewelry consultant with most having at least fifteen years in
the business. “We just love the jewelry business”. “It’s so interesting we just can’t get enough of it. It really
gets a hold on you.” Ask anyone behind a counter at A&E about
the jewelry, and it is easy to see the attraction. Each
consultant has a thorough knowledge of jewelry that makes
customers feel confident they are making an informed decision.
Asked about the lustrous fresh water and cultured pearls on
display at A&E, longtime consultant Marie DePasquale, not only
answers all questions, but gives a brief history on pearls,
dating back to the late 1800s, and Japanese pioneer Mikimoto,
who developed the first cultured pearl.
“My staff is incredibly knowledgeable,” says Alter. “Not only
that, we listen to our customers so they are happy with their
purchase. My staff and I have the same philosophy, we never make
a promise we can’t keep, and the sale is just the beginning of
the service we provide to our customers. That’s what keeps them
coming back again and again.”
To view their selection of fine jewelry or discuss creating your
own custom masterpiece, visit A&E Diamond & Gold, Rt. 101 A,
Pennichuck Square, in Merrimack, NH. |