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Company History
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LIKE
HIS JEWELRY,
STEPHEN HERDEMIAN'S A ONE-OF-A-KIND
"I
know this jeweler." It's a phrase we've all heard a family
member, friend, acquaintance or coworker invariably say at one
time or another. And yes, while it's true that most people do
"know this jeweler," they may not know Stephen Herdemian.
That is, unless they're one of the lucky ones.
This is a website whose intention is allowing all antique jewelry
lovers the enjoyment of viewing the exquisite, one-of-a-kind
antique pieces Steve has in his collection. Others may have
similar websites, but they are not Steve, who is in a class
by himself -- and has been for the last 20 years.
Honesty is of major importance to him. The New York Daily News
felt him worthy of praise and featured him in a piece dated
6/8/99. In fact, his knowledge of antique and estate
jewelry has been passed down through generations. Not surprisingly,
so is Steve's merchandise. Other websites, where jewelers claim
their pieces are from the 1890s through the 1940s, are in actuality
reproductions. "Victorian like" and "deco style,"
is not
antique jewelry. Antique
jewelry is always handmade; reproductions are not. If Steve
says a certain piece is from the 1920s, it is. Every piece of
jewelry offered on this website is without question the age
that it is stated to be.
You may not know his name, but you certainly know the movies
and soap operas that have incorporated his jewelry
and the many actors and actresses who have his unique and reasonably
priced pieces flowing around their necks, dangling from their
ears or gracing their arms. Often, much of the jewelry he rents
to a movie set, ends up on the producers or stars body -- for
good!
Truth be told there is no one like Steve. He loves what he sells.
Steve believes in estate jewelry as art and investment. As time
marches on there will only be less antique
jewelry available, thus making what antiques we own more
sought after. Yet all can rest assured, for 20 years he has
offered a 2 week unconditional money back guarantee. Not an
exchange, not a credit. If one doesn't love what one bought,
Steve gladly will take it back. It is important to him that
whoever buys the piece treasure it.
The jewelry speaks for itself. When something is truly beautiful, it needs
no jeweler's fancy words or exaggerated histories. It is always an enjoyable
and satisfying experience to do business with Steve. Always
feel free to call or E-mail Steve with any questions about the
pieces being sold on this site or to inquire about selling anything
old and beautiful. He finds great excitement in purchasing anything
of beauty. You may also inquire about a particular piece that
may be in inventory, but not on this site. If you're looking
for authenticity at wholesale prices, honesty and straight forwardness
-- you need look no further.
As
seen in the Daily News-Issue June 8, 1999
CITY
LIFE
"Putting the sparkle back."
Antique
jewelry aficionados know that repairs are a
tricky business: many jewelers eschew the assignment
entirely. Others ruin what they have promised to
repair. Taking Grandma's rings
and things to a modern jeweler for refurbishing
is the most common mistake people make with their
old baubles, explains Steve Herdemian, an expert
expediter in the repair of old treasures.
Herdemian has a thriving business in the Diamond
District selling antique and estate
jewelry, as well as renting it out to television
and movie productions. (At the time of this interview,
the $9,500 sparkler Julia Roberts wore in "Stepmom"
glittered in his display case.) He also arranges
the resurrection of worn-out classic watches, broken
Art Deco and Victorian rings, and
all manner of old bijoux with missing stones or
mutilated settings. Prices are
reasonable, and the work is sometimes remarkably
good.
His secret is the treasure chest of experts he's
amassed over a 20-year career in the family business:
lapidary and findings houses, stonecutters and setters,
and watchmakers and polishers who understand the
importance of exactitude when working with rare
old things. "You don't expose a bloodstone
to heat," Herdemian tsk-tsks. "You don't
heat marcasites, onyx, turquoise or any opaque stone."
He also tries to get the least expensive, best qualified
expert for the task. "My primary jeweler, I'll
give him a $20,000 platinum engagement ring
to be sized, but you can give me a $50 old ring,
and I know it should go to another guy I know a
few doors down," he confides. "There's
another guy I know," Herdemian says conspiratorially.
"He's the only one in the world who can do
things like they did 100 years ago. He's a fortune,
and he takes forever," but if your lorgnette
is kaput, he's your man.
----Shella Anne Feeney Daily News 6/8/99 |
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