By Jenny Werth
Stephanie Langlois carries an aura of gentle kindness as she discusses her years in the jewelry business. Surely, her interior beauty is magnified by the sparkling diamonds, glimmering pearls and glistening light bouncing off some of the magnificent gems carried inside her local store, TimeWise Jewelers.
Surrounded by gold, silver, jewels, wristwatches and wall clocks, Langlois and five employees create a family-friendly environment where customers are known by their first name.
In fact, for nearly four decades; Time Wise has made it their mission to run a store that exudes friendliness; great customer service, and honesty.
Two short months ago, Langlois became the owner of the well-known Time Wise store after the former owners Glen & Linda Blumenthal retired at the end of last year.
In reality, the Blumenthals merely transferred their legacy; a beacon of ‘people-over-business’ to Langlois’ capable hands. While everything changes in life, jewelry often remains the same – its unique design calling to mind a memory in life. It’s a piece of quality jewelry, or a special watch, that allows a memory to be forever etched in time.
One must only glance at the piece to remember that person, that moment, or that love. TimeWise allows that journey of capturing expressions of ourselves within their lovely collection of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls, and sapphires.
TimeWise also goes beyond the norm by offering a selection of unique stones such as spinel, apatite, indicolite, garnet, ametrine, and tsavorite. While their selection of jewelry is distinctively notable, it’s Langlois and her staff’s dedication to a legacy of authenticity that truly sets the bar.
“Passing the torch to Stephanie was an easy choice, one we made with complete confidence. Deciding to retire after 38 years was hard for us, we love the work we do and especially our customers.
Knowing Stephanie will continue Time Wise with the same great customer service and quality work made it much easier. She has been our right hand for the last ten years and knows the jewelry business inside and out. We are excited to see the fresh new look and beautiful new pieces she brings in,” Glen Blumenthal shared.
Indeed, it’s paramount to Langlois that customers are ensured that the same respect and understanding service long enjoyed at Time Wise will continue.
“We’re still here and the service will be the same level that our customers expect,” Langlois explained. “We truly feel like a family here and our customers mean everything to us. So much so that we make it a point to remember details about our customers, including their ring size. We keep prices affordable by keeping the customer in mind. We don’t require our employees to reach a “monthly quota” so they can focus completely on service above just making a sale”.
This is just another way one knows they are dealing with a genuine and caring community-oriented business, and not just a large corporate chain seeking only on increasing sales and profits.
Langlois knows the fundamentals of the jewelry business. Recalling her 13 years working in the jewelry business she remembers her beginning at Zales, where she spent two years before moving on to a watch repair store.
Soon thereafter, fate leads her to Time Wise where she quickly moved up the ranks to the top salesperson. She enjoyed ten years learning everything about the jewelry business under the leadership of the Blumenthals.
“They taught me everything I know” exclaimed Langlois.
TimeWise is known for their custom design (come with your imagination and let them create your masterpiece); one-of-a-kind pieces; Southwest Indian estate; Victorian and modern jewelry.
They can also color match stones and repair all your delicate pieces, including offering Goldsmithing services. “We like to offer unique; one of a kind jewelry that you’re not going to find it anywhere else. You won’t feel like someone else is wearing your ring,” Langlois said.
In fact, sixty percent of the jewelry in TimeWise is handmade exclusively for the store. TimeWise continues to be known throughout Clairemont and beyond for bending over backward to service their customer; including jewelry and watch repair.
Customers seem to agree. “Time Wise is more interested in making their customers happy than in making money. Stephanie takes the time to treat my jewelry as if it was her own,” explained customer Trina Williams.
As longtime customer Fred Hilgers confirms, “Time Wise is all about ‘customer service.’ Many places use this phrase as a slogan, but they don’t mean it. TimeWise does! It is their culture. They listen to your needs and guide you to what fits for you; They don’t upsell you; have beautiful jewelry and watches that range in every price range. Their inventory is high quality and they really enjoy supporting their customer.”
Customers can be as unique as the jewelry they wear. This uniqueness showed when longtime Clairemont residents and customers of Time Wise, Kathy, and Rich Cline found themselves in the store over three years ago to have a watch battery changed.
A diamond estate ring that caught Kathy’s eye and dazzled her dreams. After leaving Time Wise, that ring continued to beckon her return, so Kathy and Rich returned to the store later. They realized then that they each wanted something special to commemorate their 50th wedding anniversary.
“My husband had always wanted a gold ring with diamonds, so we each found the exact ring we wanted,” said Kathy. Langlois took a special interest in the couple and made the transaction easy by suggesting they do a layaway plan to pay for the rings.
Months later, the Clines picked up their rings. They place the rings on each others finger with great pride. “You couldn’t have pried it off my husband’s finger,” Kathy remembered,
“Stephanie took such good care of us. She made a dream come true for us and at our anniversary party we got to wear our new rings”. Sadly, a few months later Rich passed away. The special anniversary ring was, of course, on his finger. “He wore it every day” Kathy explained.
Such can be the significance of a cherished piece of jewelry, and of choosing the family at Time Wise Jewelers.
“I wouldn’t trust just anyone with my custom estate wedding ring until I was referred to Time Wise Jewelers. My ring was in shambles when I dropped it off and I was nervous whether or not it would look the same as when I first received it.
Mario, their fabulously talented Goldsmith replaced the missing diamonds and completely restored every prong on the band and it looks better than it did when it was brand new!
His attention to detail is in a league of its own and so is Time Wise Jewelers! Their Team listened to my needs, exceeded my expectations with their unsurpassed attention to detail and I feel like they truly care about me! The very best experience I’ve ever had with a jeweler. Thank you, Stephanie!” – Christie Craig, Customer
Time Wise Jewelers is open Tuesday-Friday 10-6 and Saturday 10-5.
5643 Balboa Avenue, San Diego 92111. 858 560 5503
www.timewisejewelers.com
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