The sparkling diamonds behind the counter, the vintage guitars, racks of gold and silver chains, a Hirschfeld poster of actor Jack Lemmon that’s signed by him, a Joe Torre-signed jersey. Then there’s the big kahuna: a Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig-signed leather baseball from the 1930s—oh, and two huge display cases of coins.
We haven’t even scratched the surface regarding the offerings at Bellport Jewelers & Rarities, celebrating 25 years in Bellport.
The stories behind owner Peter Romano’s journey with wife, Dianne, can keep you glued for several hours. That’s easy, especially on a Friday afternoon, when it’s happy hour after 3 p.m.
What’s your pick? Pair your drink of choice with a chocolate, nougat candy or cookie. And make sure to pet Rosie, the Corgie-poo.
“I usually come here for cocktails,” joked Capt. David Thomas Patrick McGrath, who entered with well-mannered Lord Oliver, a Portuguese water dog. But he also pointed to his earring, a Bellport Jewelers & Rarities purchase.
Peter Romano is an Italian-trained master goldsmith, who will design and make jewelry by hand. (Ask him to see the Grucci presentation pendants for none other than the Grucci’s.) He made biplane cufflinks for the head of the Tate Museum, a request from the late artist Malcolm Morley, where his paintings were displayed, as a gift. “Malcolm would sketch what he wanted,” Peter said. “I made 77 pieces for him.”
His pull towards jewelry and coins was stoked by his mom and dad. His mother would take him shopping for her own jewelry. Because Peter proved to be an attentive kid, the sales ladies schooled him on how to spot a good stone. “When I was 10, they would show me amethysts, sapphires,” he recalled. As a thank you for not being nudgy, his mom asked what he would like.
“It was coins,” he said. The fascination started when his dad, who worked in construction, took him to sites. Sometimes it meant taking a sledgehammer to things, like a rolltop desk. When that piece of furniture spilled out Indian head pennies, Peter was hooked.
“I was at the coin shop every other week and then worked for the owner at 14, taking care of mail orders.” Then he opened Zurich Gold, in Great Neck, and got his GIA certification. Among the professional organizations they belong to as members: coin grading agencies NGC, PCGS, ANACS and CAC and the Numismatic Association, the American Philatelic Society and Jewelers of America. He did business in Great Neck for 20 years. (Check out their website: bellportjewelers.com.)
Peter is also a semi-professional musician; he plays guitar.
Not to be outdone, wife Dianne is the mastermind behind estate sales. “It’s my organizational skills and being able to help people research. The key is getting the appropriate value for the client and getting it done,” she said. She also helps customers with their choices.
The variety of store items range from $20 to $20,000, and that includes vintage pieces. “I can source anything,” she said.
Besides Capt. McGrath, Peter Castelli from Patchogue, who was looking for a gift for his wife, is a regular. James and Teresa Marvullo, from Lake Ronkonkoma, also came to peruse. Ken Honce, from East Patchogue, also buying for his spouse, discussed baseball history with Peter.
The Romanos 25 years in Bellport, first on Bellport Lane, then at their location on South Country Road, marks a victory lap, said Dianne. “Fifty-two stores have come and gone since we’re here. If people enjoy their downtown, then they need to make a concerted effort to frequent the stores.”
Bellport Jewelers & Rarities is located at 148 South Country Road in Bellport. Phone: 631-286-7700.
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