Our Emeralds Team
Ronan Joyce – Sales Professional
Where were you born | I was born in Fairfax County, Virginia.
What languages do you speak | The only language I speak fluently is English however I speak a little bit of French, Spanish, and German.
How long have you worked in the jewelry industry and what areas were you working in (i.e. sales, management etc.) | This will be my first time working in Jewelry and I currently work as a Sales Professional. However, I have mined for gemstones in my own time in Southern California, Montana, and in Arkansas.
What is your favorite hobby | It is difficult to choose a favorite hobby. I have spent a lot of time doing a plethora of activities that I enjoyed thoroughly. My top three I would have to say are reading classic literature, studying and practicing woodwork, and fencing (the sport).
How would you describe yourself | I am always looking for something new to learn, the world is so full of the undiscovered and the mysterious. In many ways it resembles a puzzle and learning all I can will help me put the pieces together. I treat all people as equals no matter where they come from or what their background is, everyone has the right to tell their story to someone and I’ll always be willing to lend an ear.
What do you enjoy about working with a company like Emeralds International | I enjoy the relaxed yet professional nature of the business. With over a half century of history and excellence in all aspects of customer service I trust not only the family but the foundations of the business as it moves forward. I am excited to continue with the company as it advances into the future.
What do you think is the most important thing for customers | Quality product and service. Having grown up in the restaurant industry I learned that businesses that aren’t honest or function with both their customers and employees’ interests at heart tend to underperform or even fail. Here at E.I every customer is a chance to brighten the world of each person walking through the door and building their dream pieces with either our custom jewelry or any of the fantastic stock pieces we have.
Do you have a favorite inspirational quote | Oh boy so many authors and lovely books to choose from but I think I have it narrowed down to just one.
“Pleasure to me is wonder—the unexplored, the unexpected, the thing that is hidden and the changeless thing that lurks behind superficial mutability.”
H.P Lovecraft
ronan@emeraldsinternational.com
Marina Marcial – Store Manager
marina@emeraldsinternational.com
Coming soon!!!
Carl Schutze – Managing Director/Designer
Where were you born | South Africa
What languages do you speak | English and a little
What is your professional background prior to the jewelry industry | I have held many types of jobs since arriving as an immigrant in 1990, from summer camp specialist to construction and carpentry to barback, waiter, to a bouncer in the Bronx and in Key West, to name a few. I was also a part owner in a small retail business before selling that and moving to Key West where my journey in the jewelry trade began.
How long have you worked in the jewelry industry and what areas were you working in (i.e. sales, management, etc.) | It’s now going on 22 years but I actually started out a little bit earlier before I formally started working with the company – by literally taking out the trash and running errands for the family whenever I popped in to visit my wife. When the time came for the opportunity for me to start, after the loss of 2 long-time employees, I started out on the sales floor and then onto the bench and then into marketing and appraising. I wear a few hats in the business for sure☺!
What credentials do you have in the jewelry industry | Although I have a jewelry repair course and some GIA courses for color stones and diamonds as well as some appraisal training under my belt, there’s nothing like on-the-job learning and honing skills under great mentors like my father-in-law and founder of the company and other professionals in the industry that I admire and worked with over the last 2 decades. It’s a never ending process of learning and developing skills. You’ll never stop learning in this business.
What is your favorite hobby |That’s hard to choose but world travel with my wife and family and any outdoor activities that I enjoy such as tennis, golf and spearfishing with my father-in-law and son are at the top. Quality time with friends and family and of course my beautiful, mischievous and loyal companion Onyx!
How would you describe yourself | I love mankind and the diversity of our planet and it’s inhabitants and creatures. I’m an Aquarian and a Baha’i so I am motivated by the concept of my work being performed in a spirit of service to humanity and seeing the best in people. I love creativity and seeing others do well! I like to think outside the box and experiment to solve challenges.
What do you enjoy about working with a company like Emeralds International | Well aside from a fantastic and genuine background story and reputation that the company has, the biggest part is that it’s a family business environment so we are a close-knit organization and try to create a happy working environment in a stressful world. I’m also very excited about the potential of our brand as we focus on growing it. We have such a great foundation and story behind the founder, my father-in-law Manuel Marcial de Gomar, and the niche market of emeralds and conch pearls that we have been specializing in for over a half century now.
What do you think is the most important thing for customers | Quality, sincere and honest service. As consumers ourselves, hoping to be treated as we would treat others in a society where it seems like companies and corporations are only interested in the bottom-line dollar, and real care and honesty have been sacrificed, we really want new and old clients to experience a high quality value & shopping experience with our brand and know that when they are dealing with us we truly have their best interest at heart. We’re not perfect but we genuinely try.
Do you have a favorite inspirational quote | One of many but this one definitely gets me thinking on my purpose, existence and capacity in this life which motivates me to be who I am in all aspects of my life including my profession –
“Think thyself puny when within thee I have folded the entire universe.”
Baha’i Holy Writings
carlanthony@emeraldsinternational.com
Manuel Marcial de Gomar – Founder/Designer
Where were you born | I was born in the New Nited States uv Meriky in New Ark, Newest Jersey.
What languages do you speak | I speak every language well (laugh) ‘cept English., mostly Spik-ese, Portagee, and Frenchie, some Canuck stuff too.
What is your professional background prior to the jewelry industry | I dug the dirt a lot lookin’ for emeralds and dint get shot at. No professional trainin’ no how, just whatever came round the next bend in tha road. Not gettin’ shot at was tops an’ the Luger hadalot to do with steerin’ that away.
How long have you worked in the jewelry industry and what areas were you working in (i.e. sales, management etc.) | Been now some 63 years sellin’ emeralds from wholesellin’ to India to opening a store in the Bahamas an’ Hawaii an’ making my own stuff in gold an’ platinum. Always had other people workin’ for me.
What is your favorite hobby | Favorite hobby is stayin’ alive.
How would you describe yourself | Feds and State Poleese had me workin’ as expert in the Courts…Best of me is bein’ honest always without any exceptions. Give the best you have, knowin’ you will always be OK if you keep aimin’ high, but still keep your finger on the trigger.
What do you enjoy about working with a company like Emeralds International | I don’t ‘work’ at Emeralds International; I AM Emeralds International.
What do you think is the most important thing for customers | For those that come into my store the bestest whut I can do is make sure they know more about emeralds when they leave than when they came in, even if the dint buy nothin’.
Do you have a favorite inspirational quote | Here’s what I go by:
“The criterion of justness is a good reputation among the people.”
(Baha’u’llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 130)
manuel@emeraldsinternational.com
Onyx The Southernmost Malinois – Inspiration, Entertainment & Quality Control Manager
Where were you born | Reidsville, North Carolina US of A.
What languages do you speak | Woof woof, grrr and yelp.
What is your professional background prior to the jewelry industry | I’m fresh from the farm and eager to earn my stripes.
How long have you worked in the jewelry industry and what areas were you working in (i.e. sales, management etc.) | Not very long. I started at a very early age (8 weeks old), in fact I’m the youngest member of the Emeralds family, as the company mascot and transitioned into training for a security position and now I’m also the inspiration and entertainment manager. I’m also enjoying some work as quality control manager on the bench with Carl.
What is your favorite hobby | Eating, chewing hands and ankles (I’m a Maligator after all), swimming, fetching ball, tearing up coconuts and running with Carl on his bike.
How would you describe yourself | Super smart, super cute, super handsome and sometimes annoying but I will win you over with one of my puppy dog eye stares anyway – oh and I always get the last word in. 🙂
What do you enjoy about working with a company like Emeralds International | Aside from being the best emerald and conch pearl jewelry store in the world, I get so much attention from the staff and customers and everyone here loves me to bits! I get spoiled rotten!
What do you think is the most important thing for customers | For me not to bite them – well I suppose the great experience they get from our friendly and professional staff who treat everyone like family is also important.
Do you have a favorite inspirational quote | Yes it’s from the Baha’i Holy Writings:
“… it is essential that ye show forth the utmost consideration to the animal, and that ye be even kinder to him than to your fellow man. Train your children from their earliest days to be infinitely tender and loving to animals. If an animal be sick, let them try to heal it, if it be hungry, let them feed it, if thirsty, let them quench its thirst, if weary, let them see that it rests.”
Baha’i Holy Writings