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We cater not only
to the public but to the trade as well, supplying the need for
jewellery
repairs, jewellery purchases, custom design work and trade equipment.
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• Jewellery Sales
• Jewellery
Repair/Design
• On-Staff Goldsmith
• On-Staff Designer
• Engraving
• Watch Repair
• Casting/Wax
Moulds
• Trade Equipment
& Supplies
• We Handle
Insurance Claims
• Work/Replacement Estimates
•Written Appraisals
• Graduate Gemologist
G.I.A.
• Certified
Appraiser C.J.I.
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231231
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"Exquisite
Gold &
Gems Inc. was launched in 1986 on my dining room table with a $2,000
investment
and a few pieces of jewelry to sell," says Chuck Sandford, who owns the
business with his wife Christine.
At the time, Chuck was also working full time as an electronics
technician
with the Ministry of Health. But about six months later, he left
his government job and moved to Toronto where his future wife was
living
(they married two years later). During the day he worked as an
electronics
technician and at night, attended George Brown College to be a
goldsmith.
During his spare time, Chuck continued to build up his home based
business
Exquisite Gold & Gems Inc. both in Toronto and Thunder Bay.
"I flew back here every six weeks to sell jewellery."
"In September 1991, the Sandford moved to Thunder Bay and decided it
was
time to go full time retail with Exquisite Gold & Gems and opened a
store in Westfort. In 1994, they moved to their location down the
street to 133 E. Frederica Street. In 2001, Exquisite Gold &
Gems moved once again, this time to Arthur Street Market Place
(formerly
know as Thunder Bay Mall). Seven full/part time employees are on
staff including a jewelry design team, gemologist and goldsmith.
Chuck, a Graduate Gemologist G.G. G.I.A. from the world-renowned
Gemological
Institute of America, is the only practicing Gemologist from the
institute
in Thunder Bay. Chuck is also the only Accredited Jewellery
Appraiser
(C.J.I.) from the Canadian Jewellers Institute, between Winnipeg
and Toronto.
Exquisite Gold & Gems specializes in custom manufacturing jewelry
for
customers throughout North America. The store as a complete
repair
and manufacturing department that does jewelry remounts, on-site
jewelry
and watch repairs, engraving, and jewelry equipment repairs.
"We do a lot of gold chain repairs and ring sizing. When I make a
repair, you can't see I've been there."
The store has on of the largest selection of gold chains, pendants, and
charms in Thunder Bay, as well as a great selection of watches, bands,
watch batteries, an infamous Eggshell Collectibles, and Crystal
Impressions,
and is a Northern Ontario distributor of jewelry tool, equipment and
related
materials and supplies to other jewelry stores.
Chuck relaxes by spending time with their two young children (ages 12
and
14), camping, boating, scuba diving, and golfing. An accomplished
musician, Chuck sings and plays drums for various differnt bands.
An active community volunteer, he has been a member of the Service,
Tourism
and Retail Committee of Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of
the
McKellar Neighbourhood Policing Centre, and Chairman of the Chief of
Police's
Advisory Committee.
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