Monday was a special day for Ron Salmon. His business, Jacques Jewelers, celebrated its third birthday as a part of the Mechanicsville business community.

Salmon opened the doors at 7225 Bell Creek Road, Suite 252, on Nov. 10, 2005. Customers usually refer to the location as in the Target shopping center next door to Panera Bread.

Salmon, manager of Jacques Jewelers in Mechanicsville, joined the company in 1992 in Danville at what was then the home store.

When a major textile manufacturer, the community’s top employer, shut down its operations, the town lost other businesses, including Jacques Jewelers.

Jacques Merchant started Jacques Jewelers in 1969 in downtown Danville. He offered an employment opportunity to Salmon, who considers his career choice a matter of destiny.

Merchant opened his second store in 1977 in Martinsville; his son Kurt, the owner since his father’s death in 2000, remains at the helm at that location.

Kurt Merchant is a certified gemologist with the American Gem Society and a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America.

The father-son aspect of the business continues with Salmon employing his son Kristopher, who is a designer and jeweler. The two have been working together for 11 years.

Salmon said their professional relationship actually spans more years than that since his son started learning about the business when he joined Jacques Jewelers.

Looking around the diamond-filled cases, Salmon said “service, selection, price and quality” are what makes the items sold at Jacques Jewelers unique. He said they have one of the Richmond area’s largest selections. “Seeing is believing,” he said.

Salmon said they specialize in bridal and diamond rings, offering such styles as those designed by Alisa, Galatea and Parle.

He worked his way up through the company, having started as a ring-setter and repairman.

With a grin, he said he prides himself on his people skills and is quick to step up to assist if one of his seven employees needs additional information about the merchandise. He makes a point of saying they are all local residents.

His education in jewelry is attributed to Lewis Pummer, who was a master jeweler. He took that knowledge when it came time to train his own son.

Nodding to a glass-enclosed area behind the counters, Salmon said Jacques Jewelers does design work on-site.

He said customers are “not tied into the large selection that you see in the store” and “special orders are invited and appreciated.”

While an employee was showing a customer several diamond rings, Salmon said, “I have a lot of regular customers. I have a lot of faithful regular customers.”
“We consider ourselves your hometown jeweler,” he added.

Since Jacques Jewelers joined the Mechanicsville community, he said he has seen “a positive growth” and smiles when talking about “meeting some wonderful people. I’m glad to call Mechanicsville home.”