Fine gemstone jewelry featured at Bennett’s grand opening
JANE LONGMIRE Monitor Business Editor
Los Alamos Monitor, NM
Dignitaries and residents of Los Alamos gathered at Bennett’s, a fine jewelry and gift shop, Friday evening for its grand opening. With its private entrance, modern lighting and d/cor, Bennett’s was the perfect setting for D’Italia of Arrezo, Italy, fine diamond and gemstone jewelry on display for the weekend.
“This is a family-owned business,” owner Alison Bennett said. “My father, Ernest Bennett, started UPEX in 1998. It has now grown and he has expanded to another UPEX store in Santa Fe. My mother, Melanie Bennett, is a wonderful woman and also works currently at the Santa Fe location.”
She said when she presented her parents with the idea of opening or expanding the jewelry and gift area, they were “very supportive and worked themselves so hard to get it ready for our grand opening on Friday.”
Bennett’s, located at 107 Central Park Square, is the previous lower floor of the UPEX building, now a remodeled business space, transformed into an upscale jewelry store, complete with custom glass cabinets and display cases.
A highlight of the grand opening was the drawing for a $600 blue topaz and diamond ring set in 18 K white gold, which was won by Jim West. He plans on surprising his sister with it when he visits her in May.
Pyramid Caf/ provided homemade North African, Mediterranean and Greek cuisine. Wine was also served.
Armen, representing D’Italia, is the fourth generation in “this business.”
“We do our own manufacturing, there are 105 persons on the payroll, our company is over a century old,” he said.
Arezzo, Italy, is a jewelry town, where earrings, rings, bracelets and brooches are known for their fine quality. European and American tastes in jewelry do differ, Armen said, with Americans liking diamond and gemstone combinations, and Europeans preferring 18 karat gold jewelry.
“I am definitely attracted to this jewelry,” Anne Davis, visitor to the grand opening said.
“It reminds me of being in Thailand where I started my collection. This is quality,” she said.
D’Italia of Arrezo, Italy, will be back, but Bennett plans to feature other jewelry makers throughout the year.
In addition, she has several artists on consignment at all times, including Mark Hudson, Michelle with Inner Luxury, Bettina Hehlen, Laura with Heart & Soul, Applause Designs by J. Lee Griffin, coffee mugs by Mara, Birdell pottery from Santa Clara Pueblo and works by Robert Vigil of Nambe.
These include stoneware, jewelry, beadwork, polished gems and carved bear and buffalo. With the purchase of any product from Inner Luxury, 25 percent goes to the American Cancer Society.
“We named it Bennett’s because that is our family name. There is my very hardworking father, Ernie, my wonderful mother Melanie, myself, and my two boys Dylan and Dustin,” Bennett said. “Oh, and do not forget Tom Nolen; his name isn’t Bennett but he is a part of our family.”
Nolen has been working as a jeweler for two years.
“We are glad to bring a jewelry store back to Los Alamos and thank everyone in town for their support,” Bennett said.
For more information on Bennett’s Fine Jewelry, call 662-7145.
RIBBON-CUTTING Participants were all smiles at the ribbon-cutting at Bennett’s Fine Jewelry and Gift Shop Friday afternoon. Shown cutting the ribbon are (left to right) county councilor Robert Gibson, Melanie Bennett, councilor Fran Berting, Ernie Bennnett, Alison Bennett and councilor Jim West.
Photo by GARY WARREN/Monitor
