It’s been said time and time again that ‘diamonds are a girl’s best friend.’ The cynics here at ShoreBread would scoff at such a materialistic claim…that is until our recent trip to Kyle Edward Fine Jewelry in Salisbury when we found ourselves greedily pawing diamonds, slipping on rings, and weighing our options for a successful jewelry heist (just kidding…sort of). While we still wouldn’t go quite so far as to say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, we would boldly assert that finding a good jeweler is worth its weight in gold. We spent the morning exploring the behind the scenes operations at the locally owned and operated custom jewelry store, tearing ourselves away from drooling over the jewelry long enough to learn about the husband and wife team behind all the glitter and gold – Kate and Kyle Bounds. With decades of experience (including several years spent working as a jeweler in NYC), an unparalleled passion for his craft, and an incredible eye for jewelry design, it’s no wonder that Kyle has garnered such a loyal customer base.
“The possibilities are absolutely endless. We are the true definition of custom,” said Kyle as we toured the shop. We soon discovered that the options are indeed endless, as Kyle can take any vision for a piece of jewelry – from engagement rings to necklaces – and turn it into a reality. For Kyle, it’s about more than just churning out diamond ring after diamond ring; rather, it’s about getting to know each customer and crafting a piece that is attuned to their personality. “I really try to get to know the customers so I can figure out their style,” said Kyle, adding “which is why jewelry is so much better if it’s custom.”
Kyle’s passion for jewelry started early on, when he would take trips to his grandmother’s jewelry store as a child, often accompanying her on buying trips to New York City. Fast forward to a few years later and Kyle is learning the ropes as an apprentice in the jewelry district of NYC. It wasn’t long before Kyle longed for the laid-back lifestyle of the Eastern Shore, returning to Salisbury where he married Kate and started his own business. The store itself has been open two years; however Kyle had been working out of his own home crafting custom pieces for several years prior. And if you think the life of a jeweler involves sitting behind a fancy counter overflowing with diamonds and gems…think again. A quick tour of the mill and machinery had us in awe, which was rounded out by a glimpse at the computer software Kyle uses to design each piece. “Jewelry is a lot of fun of course, but I love the tech side,” said Kyle. “I love the electronics…and the gemstones of course…but I love actually making the pieces.”
Because most of Kyle’s work is custom, you won’t find row after row of glass cases teeming with cookie-cutter jewelry. While there are several options to choose from in the showroom, for the most part, the jewelry on display serves as inspiration for customers looking for their custom pieces, especially when it comes to engagement rings. “We have a handful of diamonds that we put together because some things need to be seen in the process, but it’s rare that people buy out of the case. The whole idea is to build it around you,” explained Kate. “The process starts with a diamond and Kyle builds around it. It’s 100 percent custom.”
Custom pieces include just about everything from engagement rings to re-purposed jewelry. The sky is seemingly the limit on custom pieces – Kyle even pointed out a gold Yoda necklace he made for a customer, as well as a diamond necklace made in the shape of a lacrosse stick. “There’s nothing that I can’t do,” said Kyle as he described a lost wedding ring that he was able to recreate for a couple based on an old photograph.
Re-purposing old pieces is another popular option, with many customers arriving with old engagement rings, family heirlooms, or dated pieces to refurbish. “You can do so much with jewelry, you can completely refresh the whole piece,” said Kyle. As with the custom pieces, Kyle strives to get to know the customer before reworking a piece of jewelry. “He really wants to know the customer when creating a piece for them,” said Kate.
While the store is primarily composed of custom, fine jewelry made by Kyle, there are gift and retail pieces available in the store as well, including lines from Anna Beck, David Urso, and Christina Jervey, to name a few. “Because Kyle does higher end jewelry we wanted to still offer gifts with some flavor to it,” said Kate.
Perhaps our favorite part of the store (coming in a close second to the stunning diamonds of course) is the inviting and casual vibe that permeates the space. If you’ve ever walked into a high end jewelry store, than you know where we’re going with this. Too often, you walk in feeling overwhelmed by the options, pressured to spend more than you intended, or out of your league. While the pieces at Kyle Edward Fine Jewelry are high end, with many carrying a hefty price tag, the setting is as relaxed as visiting someone’s living room. Kate and Kyle exude geniality and charm, aiming to make the process personal and stress-free from start to finish. “You want people to have an experience while they are here,” said Kate. “It’s not a typical box store,” added Kyle. Coffee, wine and champagne are available to sip on as you explore your options and consult with Kyle on your vision. As a result, most customers become repeat customers. “They become like family to us honestly, “said Kyle. What’s more, high end doesn’t have to be synonymous with breaking the bank, explained Kate, adding that working within a customer’s budget is just another reason why they like to get to know customers throughout the process.
For more on Kyle Edward Fine Jewelry, find them on Facebook or follow their designs on Instagram. In the meantime, check out a few of the beautiful pieces we had the chance to play dress up with during our interview…
Photos by Gina Whaley
