My background is truly in sales. I was raised in retail. I have been blessed to have worked with some of the finest and most talented people in the jewelry industry and Shelton’s is no doubt top of the list. We are also paired with an awesome clientele at Shelton’s. It is truly a pleasure to accommodate each customer with their purchase on a special piece of jewelry. I was raised in old school retail where customer service and customer appreciation was still in style. I see the need for customer service is even greater now then ever. Ask for me, I am ready to assist with any of your jewelry, gemstone or watch needs.
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Growing up in the jewelry business I always admired the trade. When I was young I would be in the shop looking over the goldsmith’s shoulders seeing how they made jewelry.
I fell in love with the art and craft of making fine jewelry. After high school, I attended various jewelry making schools such as the Revere Academy in San Francisco, California, New Approach School for Jewelers at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California. Learned CAD/CAM in Las Vegas, Nevada. Studied advanced micro pave with master stone setters Jura in Utrecht, Netherlands and Alexander Diamond Setting School in Antwerpen, Belgium. I credit most of my skills to on the job training with master jewelers.
I love making fine jewelry and am blessed to be working with such a great crew. With my dad being a master gemologist and I a jewelry designer/goldsmith together we make a great team. When not in the design studio I enjoy the great outdoors and spending time with friends.
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from UNM, a graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America, and am a Certified Gemological Appraiser with the American Gemology Society. I have worked at Shelton Jewelers for over 20 years and in that time I have met and worked with some truly incredible clients and it has been a rewarding experience. I love to dance and teach ballet in my spare time and always look forward to traveling to new and interesting destinations.
I have been in the jewelry industry for over 25 years and managed a jewelry store for a major chain for a number of years before coming to Shelton Jewelers 18 years ago. As a team member of a family business, I’ve learned to wear many hats. I currently have the titles of Certified Sales Associate from The American Gem Society, and Applied Jewelry Professional from The Gemological Institute of America. You will find me hunting or fishing during my time off.
Thirty three years ago, I came to Shelton Jewelers for my jewelry purchases and repairs. So, when Eric Shelton asked me nearly fifteen years ago to work with him, I felt honored to accept and be part of the growth and success in a family owned local business. Having Owned a retail business myself, I know how important it is to have a good team building your business.
It has been so fulfilling to learn the other side of the jewelry business from being a satisfied customer to educating customer and helping create a wonderful experience for them. The customer’s make my day by appreciating what we can do for them from checking, cleaning and repairing their jewelry, to the challenge of finding just the right piece of jewelry for that special person in their lives or for themselves.
I have been in the jewelry industry for about 34 years in numerous locations. I have been employed here with Shelton for seventeen years. I am a certified sales associate with the American Gem Society. I enjoy continuing to work in the jewelry industry for the reward of helping customers satisfy there every wish. I am an active member in my church, Metropolitan Community Church of Albuquerque. I also volunteer at our local baseball teams games to help with fundraisers for local charities. A few of my hobbies are Bowling on a league every Sunday night, camping, and fishing.
I’ve been part of the Shelton crew for over three years and am proud to say that I have perfected my customer service skills over the course of my entire working career. Amid my time with Shelton’s, I have been fortunate enough to cultivate an unbelievable clientele, from whom I have learned as much if not more than I have about the fascinating gems that tempt me every day.
In addition to being a member and maintaining the title of Certified Sales Associate through the prestigious American Gem Society, I have completed the Diamond Essentials course through the Gemological Institute of America and have shown an aptitude for color grading.
As an introvert and psychology enthusiast, I have thoroughly enjoyed the relationships I have built with my clients and appreciate all they have shared with me. When I am not drooling over jewelry from the hours of 9:30 to 5:30, I like to maintain personal advancement reading and practicing languages, and planning my various travels.
Originally from California my formative years came from right here in Albuquerque. Although some initial jewelry experience came in high school, formal jewelry training was received thru the Gemological Institute of America. Further training was received at GRS in Emporia, Kansas including a grand masters program. My love of the outdoors makes Albuquerque the perfect place to make fine jewelry. On days I am not on the bench you will likely find me skiing, golfing, or fishing. As a member of Albuquerque Social Giving Club, I have the opportunity to pay it forward to the community that has supported my love of making Jewelry for many years.
I have lived in Albuquerque for all of my life. I have education from Albuquerque Academy as well as Del Norte High School. Proceeding that I attended UNM for two years where I received my associates in physics and electrical engineering. I got into the jewelry industry during my high school years and have been doing it since for almost 45 years now. I have taken GIA jewelry courses in setting and fabrication. I also have a certificate from Jewelers of America which is known as a Master Bench Jeweler Certification. I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be featured in a number of design competitions and won. When I am not working you will find me enjoying the great outdoors golfing and hiking.
I’ve been very fortunate to grow up in the gems and jewelry industry. Having a dad in the business as a certified Master Gemologist has allowed me to learn from the best about all different gems and mineral species. That foundation has been both instrumental in my continued education through GIA courses, as well as helped cultivate my professionalism within the world of gemology. For the past 13+ years I’ve handled the marketing and advertising for our family business. Its been a privilege hosting our annual customer appreciate event where we celebrate some of the best customers anyone can ask for. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing our clientele as excited about their jewelry as we are.
I founded Shelton Jewelers in Albuquerque in 1984. As the store has grown, it has been my goal to emphasize ethics, education and customer service. These tenets are the driving forces that I believe show through in all that we do.
In our business, in order to be ethical we have to be educated. That is why we employ one Master Gemologist Appraiser ASA myself, two Certified Gemologist Appraisers AGS Graduate Gemologists GIA. We invest in continuing education for our staff because I believe expertise is essential to customer service. Not to mention we are title holders of the elite American Gem Society, where we are tested and re-accredited annually.
We have the equipment on site to help you understand all of the factors that determine a gems value. Most importantly we are committed to promoting the highest ethical standards in order to give you confidence and satisfaction.
Amethyst is one of the more widely known and available gemstones today, but that does not mean it is without elegance. It is a member of the quartz family and is found in several different hues of purple, including lavender, plum, lilac, and deep violet. Typically the darker the gem, the more coveted it is – though some may agree this is purely personal taste since amethyst is so common. While there are many different hues of amethyst – it is only considered amethyst if it is purple. Therefore, the term green amethyst is incorrect; quartz that are green in color have their own separate names. The amethyst has a vitreous luster and has the same hardness as quartz on the Mohs scale – a 7.
The term amethyst is derived from the Greek word amethystos, meaning ‘not intoxicating’. In antiquity, a piece of jewelry containing amethyst was worn while drinking in order to deter the possibility of becoming too inebriated. Today the stone is associated with healing & happiness, and can be given as a 6th wedding anniversary gift. It is also the gemstone assigned to the Zodiac sign Pisces (February 18th – March 20th).
