By Norine Longo
Mike Pavljuk is creative.
Growing up, he always took art classes, loved tinkering and working with his hands. A self described “rockhound,” Pavljuk, as a kid, loved being outside and finding new and interesting things. He was always picking things up and playing with them.
Those interests developed into a passion, and with passion came the education. Pavljuk attended the Jewelry Institute of Providence, R.I., and completed their program in Jewelry Arts and Sciences. From 1990 to 1991, he also attended the Gemological Institute of America.
In school, he learned skills including soldering, casting, setting diamonds, designing and making molds.
After completing his schooling, those skills landed him jobs in Providence where he worked and gained experience as a castor, production solderer and model maker for fashion jewelry designers.
“I always wanted to be a jeweler,” he said. “I always thought of them as romantic, setting diamonds and making jewelry.”
In January 1995, Pavljuk opened Pave Goldsmith and Diamonds, a service and repair workshop with a unique jewelry merchandise selection, in Hamilton. The business is marking its 15th anniversary this month.
In 2001, Thomas Peroni joined Pavljuk as the store manager and jewelry mechanic.
The jeweler specializes in jewelry repair, fabrication of fine metals from wax to cast, setting diamonds and gemstones and polishing.
“We’re built on service. We pride ourselves in being honest and dependable,” Pavljuk said.
People can expect fast and affordable service with them, he said.
At Pave, work is done onsite, offering services like watch battery and strap replacement, pearl stringing, soldering, ring sizing and re-tips for rings.
“A lot of other places send everything out. We do it here,” said Pavljuk. “Sometimes while you wait.”
Pavljuk said the best feeling is making people happy.
“Often times customers come in with an idea of their own and we make it happen,” he said.
Pave carries a large selection of fine jewelry in gold, platinum and diamonds. Popular watch brands include Citizen, Bulova, Kenneth Cole, Freestyle and Tommy Bahama. Pave also carries the complete line of silver, glass and gold Trollbeads.
The store has a private sitting room for viewing diamonds that are hand selected and tailored to fit the size, quality and price of each potential client, said Pavljuk.
Pavljuk said the store is different from similar businesses because of their knowledge and understanding of the step-by-step work and processes involved in services, crediting this knowledge to his education and training in Rhode Island.
“I take the time to educate my customers on all they may need to know before buying jewelry because it’s an investment,” Pavljuk said.
Pave Goldsmith and Diamonds is located at 1957 Route 33 in Hamilton Square. It operates Tuesday and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (609) 588-5224 or visit pavediamonds.com.
