Atlantic Ave Magazine - January 2020

The Goldsmith Shop
Creating New Jewelry or
Fixing Your Favorites
By Diane Feen | photos by melissa korman
The Internet has changed the landscape of retail stores.
Some shoppers think this change is good, but most
retailers would rather people came into their stores instead.
Tom Fritch doesn’t see customers choosing their keyboards
over him. The reason is simple.
“The internet has changed everything, but one thing you
can’t do online is size a ring. The world is changing, but this is a
service business,” said the Goldsmith from Pennsylvania.
If you don’t hear much about goldsmiths today, there is a reason
– there aren’t many who still work independently. But that doesn’t
bother Tom who sizes and fixes watches necklaces and bracelets.
He also designs jewelry (if you bring him a picture, he will recreate
your dream piece) and fix whatever is broken or needs updating.
Just recently Preston came in with her mother’s charm bracelet.
She wanted it to be made into a necklace instead. Tom doesn’t flinch
and goes to work immediately to remedy, repair or remake the jewelry
that clients bring into his small shop.
You can see examples of his brilliance with shiny objects everywhere.
There are pliers, hammers, a magnifying headpiece and tiny
gold and silver findings everywhere you look.
But those are merely the tools of his trade.
70 | January 2020 | www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com
tom At The Jewelry Bench
The trade is one of precision with an old-fashioned twist. It’s not
technological or done with a mouse or power button. It is an example
of something from an era gone by – but with an immediacy
we all need from time to time.
This is exactly why The Goldsmith Shop is reminiscent of the
good old days of retailing. It’s simple, honest and no-nonsense.
Tom does what he says he’s going to do, and he does it with integrity.
That must be the reason he has a five-star rating on Yelp.
And stellar reviews from clients. “When the diamond fell out of
my wife’s ring, we were concerned about finding someone competent
and honest. As soon as I walked into The Goldsmith Shop, I
knew it was the right place. Tom is a craftsman. He repaired the
ring while we waited, and we watched him. I cannot recommend
The Goldsmith Shop highly enough! If you need jewelry repair, this
is the only place you need to know about.”
Mark also sees the perfection in Tom’s work.
“This place is the quickest and best for watch repair. I know Tom
does a lot more than watches, but I have been going to The Goldsmith
Shop for years without fail.”
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tom Discussing a Repair With a Customer