Self-owned Vik’s Jewelers has operated on the simple business philosophy of its founder.
- Treat people the way you would want to be treated.
- Present affordable fine jewelry and watches.
- Provide customer service that builds life-long relationships.
- Most importantly, make you feel like part of the family.
Finding your niche always takes some time. There’s always a bit of fluttering, a bit of flying…but when you land, you hope your landing place is just right. For Vik Cooper, owner of Vik’s Fine Jewelry, he couldn’t be happier with his landing place, which is perfect for his niche.
After working in wholesale for years, in 1993 Cooper decided to switch to resale and bring quality jewelry lines and custom pieces to Staten Islanders. He served the island for some time, moving from place to place, and just three years ago relocated to Vik’s Fine Jewelry’s current location in the Heartland Village
area, and now knows it was the best move he’d ever made.
By moving to this mid-island area, Cooper is able to service the entire borough better. In this larger space he is also able to carry more lines and offer clients a greater variety of options.
Down-to-earth and charming, this high-end boutique offers luxury items at reasonable prices. During a searching for a special piece or gift, Cooper likes to have a cup of coffee with the customer and to hear “his or her side of the story,” as he described it. As a result, his custom pieces are more like works of art (the business also maintains a site where a thought or wish can become a reality—a virtual coffee, as it were).
“By eliminating the middle men—the manufacturers—I am able to offer wonderful prices for custom pieces,” Cooper explained.
In addition to custom creations, the business carries many high-end brands. Specializing in bridal and engagement rings, Cooper carries diamonds from 0.5 to 5-plus carats, along with unique settings in yellow and white gold as well as platinum. Engagement and wedding rings can be custom-made, or shoppers can choose from existing designer rings and settings.
New and pre-owned watches are also a specialty (the ultra-mod Torgoen line is a recent staff favorite), as well as a slew of designer jewelry brands—from Charriol to Roberto Demeglio, Scott Kay to Hidalgo, and Movado to Alor.
A fun option for Valentine’s Day shoppers playing cupid is called “Hershey’s Kiss” and Cooper’s reported that customers have taken to it in droves. Ranging from $100 to $300, these gift pieces consist of pendants and earrings shaped like (you guessed it) Hershey’s Kisses. February 14th is also a popular day
for future grooms to pop the question, of course, so a lot of attention is paid to the engagement ring collections at Vik’s this time of the year.
“It may be something of a cliché to get down on one knee on Valentine’s Day,” Cooper said, smiling. “But I’m a romantic at heart…and I just love the look in a man’s eye when he finds just the right ring. It’s magic.”
Photos: By Vinnie Amessé © www.amessephoto.com
Vik’s Fine Jewelry
2323 Richmond Avenue
(Heartland Village Shopping Plaza)
Staten Island, New York 10314
718-761-5870
Copyright Vik’s Fine Jewelry 2012