Cameo Jewelers in Chardon continues to shine bright like a diamond as it celebrates 20 years in business with an upcoming customer appreciation event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 17.
Cameo Jewelers in Chardon continues to shine bright like a diamond as it celebrates 20 years in business with an upcoming customer appreciation event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 17.
“This is a milestone for us. You don’t know where your business is going to go in another five years to celebrate,” said owner Diana Pasquito in a recent interview. “I just wanted to let our customers know that we’ve been there for 20 years and we appreciate them.”
Pasquito recalled opening the store in 2004 with a business partner, taking over a previous business at 408 Water St. and making the space their own.
Cameo Jewelers has an in-house goldsmith who can repair jewelry for customers, which is rare for many jewelry stores today, she said, expressing concerns that goldsmith craft is becoming a lost skill in the modern day, with many people being uninterested in learning it.
Customers feeling satisfied knowing they are getting fine repair work done on their jewelry has been a boon for their business, Pasquito added.
The store has pushed through many challenges over the past two decades — one of them being the death of Pasquito’s business partner three years ago.
“That was very difficult to get through,” she said. “Not having a partner with you to make decisions and keep you going makes you grow up a lot.”
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted her business. While she has an online storefront, other corporate jewelry stores were overriding her sales.
“Online purchasing does affect our business. People don’t realize what you buy online is not the same as what you could get in-store,” Pasquito said.
As an independent business, she hand-picks her inventory for jewelry.
“We’re not a chain, so we’re not obligated to purchase certain items. I try to buy different pieces so as not to look like mall jewelry,” Pasquito said. “It’s my taste that I buy, which is a delicate thing. But you have to think outside the box when making purchases for customers.
“We carry different levels of jewelry from sterling silver to gold-filled to higher-end gold and diamonds,” she added. “We carry a variety of jewelry to please everyone.”
Pasquito has also adapted to smaller changes over the years, like ever-evolving jewelry trends.
“Trends change, like right now, it’s permanent jewelry. That is what we’re learning right now and we’re getting into that business,” she said. “It’s something that is new and stays on your body until you cut it off or break it off.”
Cameo Jewelers will debut their permanent jewelry during their customer appreciation event, along with many other activities, including tarot card readings, tiny tattoos and ear piercing services.
Pasquito wanted to bring an exciting experience to thank customers for their support over the past 20 years.
“I just want to bring some fun to the city. My girlfriend, Stacia, does the tarot reading and she’s amazing,” Pasquito said. “I figured it would be something different to people.”
All items in the store will be 27% off, including the Joseph Ribkoff clothing line. Pasquito has also recently opened a boutique called Pasko Boutique in Mentor and is bringing its clothing line to Cameo Jewelers during the event.
“It’s a very pretty line, you can go from casual to sophisticated and it varies,” she said. “It’s not super cheap, but you get what you pay for in quality. But, at this event, everything will be 27% off.”
Pasquito hopes her event will convey the gratitude she feels.
“It is nice to just say thank you to the people that have supported us through these years,” she said.
