Destination jewelry on Bridge Street
Louise Bolger | sun
From left to right: John Krake, Kassy Quinn,
Brad Smith and Travis Rankin.
During the last five years, Anna Maria Island has gone from a sleepy little beach community to a full-fledged travel destination. Growing right along with the Island, Bridge Street Jewelers has developed their client base from vacationers buying a token remembrance to travelers and seasonal visitors looking for high-end custom jewelry, and they’re just beginning.
Like so many other Island transplants Brad Smith and Kassy Quinn found Anna Maria Island through friends with a little kismet thrown in thanks to an airline postponement delaying their return to Pennsylvania. Since that time the husband and wife team have not only maintained their northern jewelry store but have also expanded the level and selection of jewelry at Bridge Street Jewelers.
Bridge Street Jewelers’ signature item for the past five years has been their AMI destination bracelet available in sterling, gold, combination of sterling and gold and diamond inserts. They also have a large selection of AMI destination earrings, pendants, rings, topper bracelets and AMI beads as well as destination bracelets for Longboat Key. If you would like to trade in your AMI destination bracelet for an upgraded one Bridge Street Jewelers will give you full value for the original.
Recently they have put more emphasis on designing their own line of one-of-a-kind fine jewelry utilizing precious and semi-precious gemstones from around the world with an emphasis on larger size diamonds. In addition to carrying a large selection of estate jewelry including Rolex watches, they can work with you on custom designs and redesign of heirloom jewelry. They also carry a full line of wedding and engagement rings.
The newest addition to Bridge Street Jewelers’ collection is exclusive pieces from Denny Wong, a seven-time international award winning jewelry designer from Hawaii. Denny Wong features marine life and tropical flowers in his designs, some with moving parts. Kassy Quinn says his designs cross the threshold from being jewelry to becoming art.
Bridge Street Jewelers boasts the only two master jewelers and gemologists on the Island, who are qualified to provide written and verbal appraisals for both personal and insurance purposes. They are also able to do jewelry repairs, ring cleaning and replacement of watch batteries. Also watch for advertised specials contained on their color inserts in local papers. And you can’t help but notice the artwork on the walls available for sale by Wyland and Jim Warren. In addition, 2014 will be an exciting year for Bridge Street Jewelers since they are planning to expand and renovate their store in order to accommodate the demand for additional inventory. Kassy Quinn and Brad Smith have loved their five years on Anna Maria Island and can’t wait for the next five. They have been accepted by the community and have formed many friendships and lifelong customers. They are also generous to the local community and participate in the Bridge Street Open House as well as donating $10,000 worth of merchandise annually to the AMI Community Center fundraiser.
Whether you’re looking for a destination bracelet, or a unique Denny Wong piece of jewelry, the staff at Bridge Street Jewelers will help you find the exact fit. As far as AMI destination bracelets go, mine has been around the world most recently in the Middle East. When I told Kassy and Brad it was the only piece of jewelry I took on my trip they said how perfect a destination bracelet on a destination trip. Make your next jewelry buying destination Bridge Street Jewelers before another five years goes by.
BRIDGE STREET JEWELERS
129 Bridge St.
Bradenton Beach
941-896-7800
www.amibracelet.com
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday – Saturday
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover