Small Business Spotlight: Apricot Fine Jewelry Works

TROY, N.Y. — There are many fine jewelry stores around the Capital Region where you can shop a wide selection of things that shine and sparkle. However, if you’re looking for a truly personalized, one-on-one shopping experience for something that perfectly suits both your budget and your aesthetics, head to Apricot Fine Jewelry Works.

The little shop is located at 188 River St., where it opened its doors in April. Owner John de Rosier came into the jewelry business as a second career, after spending 13 years as an editorial cartoonist for the Times Union.

“I saw a shift in the industry, and knew things were changing,” de Rosier recalled about his decision to change careers. “I had to choose – did I want to repurpose what I’m doing, or did I want to chase a different dream?”

de Rosier decided to “go for broke” with the second option, a move he described as both exciting and terrifying. Turning to goldsmithing, which he had pursued as a hobby since 2000, he decided to become a jeweler. The industry appealed to his lifelong interest in creating things.

“I’ve always, since I was a child, loved building and crafting and making 3D things,” de Rosier said.

de Rosier traveled to Europe to study diamond setting, an essential skill in the fine jewelry industry that he needed more experience in.

“I wanted to raise up my weakest skill and turn it into a strength,” he explained. “That would make it that much easier to elevate my other skills.”

de Rosier studied for three months in Antwerp, in a small class of about six students from around the world, under one of Europe’s master diamond setters. It was an experience that would definitively shape his career path.

“He was tough! And he was old school,” de Rosier recalled. “It wasn’t a hands-on class, we had to watch what he did and then try to replicate it. He never complimented our work, only pointed out our mistakes. But at the end of those three months, I understood what good work looks like. It was really good to be held to those high standards, as profoundly uncomfortable as it was. It really transformed my vision if what I could do as a jeweler, as a goldsmith, and as a designer.”

To this day, de Rosier maintains that feeling uncomfortable is key to becoming your best self.

“Always push yourself into the uncomfortable zone of learning and growth,” he said. “It’s the only way to improve. And it takes time. There are no shortcuts, truly great skill does not happen overnight.”

During his stay in Antwerp, de Rosier was impressed by the jewelry stores he saw and knew he had found the model for his own business.

“I saw these small boutique jewelry shops, and I thought, ‘Oh wow, I really want that.’ This was a dream that has been 20 years in the making,” he said.

Antwerp was also the place where he found the concept that would eventually become the spirit of his store’s business.

“There was a farmers market I would visit,” he recalled, “and they had these apricots that were different than any I’d seen before. They were tiny, and bursting with flavor. I was captivated by their size and beauty. I bought them every day, filling the biggest bag I could for the few weeks that they were in season. As a brand, Apricot is about that serendipitous moment where you run across something different and special that just makes your day.”

Nowadays, de Rosier takes everything he has learned – from those grueling three months in Antwerp to the knowledge he gained working for other jewelers back in the US before he felt ready to strike out on his own – and channels it into a highly personalized experience for his customers. Step into his shop and he’ll greet you in a T-shirt and jeans. You can look at the pieces he has on display, or sit down with him for a consultation session to design your perfect piece of custom jewelry from the ground up.

“Apricot is all about a craftsman-centered experience, not a suit and tie,” de Rosier explained. “I crave that direct contact with my clients, building a relationship with them and understanding what their perfect piece of jewelry is.”

If you find something you love in the display case, you can take it home with you. If you want something unique, de Rosier loves doing custom designs no matter how complicated or simple they might be.

“I want to sit down with you and create something that will last – heirloom quality,” de Rosier said. “I do the best I can on every piece I work on.”

You can also bring your existing pieces in for repair and cleaning, and you can watch de Rosier as he works – just on the other side of the display cases are his workbenches. He’ll talk you through what he’s doing, and he can show you what he sees when he’s examining your piece. A magnifying device on the front counter is hooked up to a screen where you can view your jewelry up close in very high-quality detail, making it easier to follow along as de Rosier looks for cracks, weak spots, and areas in need of his expert attention.

de Rosier’s hope is that his customers will see an opportunity to develop a relationship with him and understand the process of jewelry creation, with the end result being a collaborative effort that gives the customer a piece they will love. He feels that his Troy location is the perfect space for his business, and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

“I’ve always had an affection for downtown Troy,” he said. “I found the space and moved my workshop over from my home. I didn’t need to modify or rebuild anything, I just built some new furniture, painted, and made a few cosmetic alterations. The space serves Apricot’s mission really well.”

Right now, de Rosier describes Apricot as being “in the toddler phase of the business.”

“I’m focusing on finding my people,” he said. “It’s an exciting time. I’m hoping to grow to the point of becoming a destination jeweler, but without losing the essence of what makes Apricot unique. I love coming to work every day, seeing the sunlight coming in through the window on River Street and greeting my customers when they come in. I think River Street, like the rest of Troy, is riding on a wave of good things, and I’m thrilled to be a part of that.”

Apricot Fine Jewelry Works is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, including to book a consultation session with de Rosier, visit www.apricotworks.com, email [email protected], or call 518-254-8780. Follow them on Facebook @apricotworks and Instagram @apricotwrks.

Do you own or know of a small business in Rensselaer County and its surrounding areas that you would like to see featured in an upcoming Small Business Spotlight? Email a nomination to [email protected].

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