Business of the Week: D’Errico Jewelry, Scarsdale

If you’ve passed by the pretty log cabin set back at 509 Central Park Avenue in Scarsdale and wondered what it might hold, would you be surprised to find out it is a “jewelry box?”

That is what brothers Richard and Salvatore D’Errico intended when they built the wood edifice about 18years ago. They wanted something beautiful as a backdrop for their classic jewelry designs – and they wanted a warm and inviting environment for their customers.

In business since 1988, the brothers offer a unique experience in gem and jewelry shopping as well as custom jewelry design set in a framework of classic art form and manufacturing techniques enhanced by advanced technology.

Richie, the elder of the brothers, made his first attempt at jewelry making during a shop class in high school in the Bronx. His first piece was a ring made from a fork and fitted with a diamond. The design was so rare, yet worked so well, Richie discovered he had a talent.

Richie later acquired manufacturing skills as an apprentice while working for Harold Freeman Jewelry Manufacturing Co. from 1980 to 1988. He learned European jewelry techniques working in classical styles and using old-school techniques to create pieces of the highest quality. “The training was tough,” he said.

Sal later joined Richie at the same company and learned the business side of working with gems and precious metals.

Most of the items for sale at D’Errico Jewelry are made from gold – rose, yellow, white and platinum. As experienced gemologists, they will purchase gemstones at a customer’s request; work with items brought into the store for redesign; and design and manufacture custom items made to a customer’s specific request.

In 1986 the brothers set up a small manufacturing facility in a Bronx garage on the same block where they had grown up and near the bakery where their father worked – Artuso’s Pastry. To this day, they offer pastry from the Bronx shop to customers in honor of their father. There is a quiet nook set aside in the Scarsdale store for the sipping of coffee and eating of fresh cannoli.

In 1988, the brothers established D’Errico’s Platinum Corp. and opened a store on Williamsbridge Road in 1989. They have become an establishment at the Scarsdale location for over 18 years and opened a showroom in Mt. Kisco seven years ago.

The Scarsdale location houses the primary design and manufacturing facility.

The D’Erricos are well known for their wedding jewelry as they work with the bride and groom at the time of engagement to select the perfect diamond and accompanying setting.

“Many couples are not sure what they want,” explained Sal. “They come in to look at different rings and I ask them to give me five minutes to explain the subtleties of diamond shopping.”

Sal calls these the four C’s: cut, color, clarity and carat. Once a customer has seen the different elements that make up diamond quality, they relax Sal said. When they know how a diamond is valued, they can then make the best choice on size and cut to suit their budget.

The wedding designs don’t stop there. D’Errico offers wedding rings, jewelry gifts for the wedding party, and unique items for the bride to wear on her special day.

There is a $100,000 platinum and pearl necklace on display that won first place in an international bridal design contest.

D’Errico Jewelry offers much sought after brands including Anna Beck, Colore, Dora, Faber Castell, Hearts on Fire, Hot Diamonds, I. Reiss, Pandora, and Judith Ripka, among others. They also offer quality watches by House of Horology, Swiss Army, Philip Stein, CAT (Caterpillar), and Vintage Watches.

It is the custom jewelry, however, that has made D’Errico designs coveted items.

“Many of our customers know what they want when they come into the store,” Sal explained. “Sometimes they have a drawing with them, but most often, it is an idea in their head that they describe to us.”

When this happens the customer is introduced to a jewelry designer – Jordan Judd was working the day we did the interview.

Judd, who has a particular interest in classic design, was educated in the Fine Arts at Pratt Institute. He also has an amazing aptitude for computer technology and creates many designs with advanced computer imaging that enables him to use a 3-D printer to show customers exactly what their piece of jewelry will look like when finished.

The 3-D printer uses a photo curable polymer resin to create a facsimile of the final product. It is probably the only 3-D printer used in the manufacture of jewelry in all of Westchester County.

“By working with graphic images, the designers can show customers exactly what a piece will look like,” Judd said. “It also gives them the ability to make changes in the setting or even in the choice of gem that might be used.

Judd uses traditional wax molds, working with Nancy Grogan on site to inject the metal of choice in making the jewelry.

In some instances, Judd explained, a customer will bring in a piece of jewelry that they want remade into something new. We work with them to create the new design, melt down the existing metal and sometimes if there is precious metal left over, it helps to pay for the finished piece.

D’Errico often holds trunk shows to highlight quality work. On April 23, they are holding a Precious Pets Event featuring Meche Pet Charms. The complimentary cocktail party is from 6 to 9 p.m. and includes a free pet psychic session with a purchase. A portion of proceeds will support Pets Alive and Westchester SPCA. The Meche Pet Charms Trunk Show runs from April 24 to 27.

To find out more about D’Errico Jewelry stop by the store or visit westchesterjewelers.com. You can also friend them on Facebook.