ALBANY — Before growing into the largest independently owned jeweler in the Capital Region, Northeastern Fine Jewelry got its start as a small Schenectady-based coin gallery.
Now, more than four decades later, the family-owned jeweler is returning to its numismatic origins with the purchase of Olde Saratoga Coin & Jewelry. The company announced Tuesday that it has completed renovations on the coin store’s two locations at 1593 Central Ave. in Colonie and 385 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.
“Coins have always been one of my passions and how we got our start in business back in 1980,” said owner Ray Blaser. “For me, returning to my roots is deeply nostalgic, intensely gratifying and truly exciting.”
Formerly dubbed Northeastern Coin Gallery, the company once carried an extensive inventory of hard-to-find currency before being reincorporated as Northeastern Fine Jewelry in 1985. It has since evolved into a popular supplier of world-renowned brands, diamonds, engagement rings, wedding bands and watches.
The business took over Olde Saratoga Coin & Jewelry last year, launching a renovation project at the store on Central Avenue while its sister store in Saratoga Springs was relocated from 219 Broadway to a new storefront in the heart of the Spa City. The stores have been rebranded to reflect the addition of a wide selection of estate pieces and jewelry to supplement its portfolio of coins, precious metals, sterling silver, paper money, pocket watches and Swiss watches, a press release states.
“When we initially turned our focus to fine jewelry back in 1985 it was to meet the growing demand of the times. But my love for coins has never waned,” Bleser said in a statement. “Coin collecting will never go out of style, nor will buying or selling vintage and estate jewelry, gold and silver jewelry or diamonds and gemstones from any era.”
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