February 26, 2020 - Lethbridge Sun Times/Shopper - page 4 BEST OF THE BEST Function over form in jewelry Sun Times/Shopper Dave Sulz I
THANKS LETHBRIDGE for again voting us the Best of the Best!
8 years running! Congrats to all the
hard-working staff for this award!
n the jewelry business, as in fashion or home furnishings, trends change and jewelry manufacturers tend to follow the trends.
The field of custom jewelry making,
however, enables customers to go beyond the trends to where their imagine takes them. But there’s a need for a
certain amount of practicality, too, and that’s where the people at The Goldworks in Lethbridge believe that, in working with customers in creating custom-made jewelry, honesty is the best policy. “We’ll be straight up with
people. I feel that’s why people come to us. I think people do appreciate that we’ll be super honest and straight up and tell it like it is,” says Elliot Mereski, the custom-design specialist with the family-run business that includes his brother Graham and sister-in-law Amanda. The Goldworks, located at 412 13 St. N., topped the Best Jewelry Store category in the Sun Times/Shopper’s annual Best of the Best survey. The honesty includes letting people
know that while a fun and dainty ring might look great, it has to be able to stand up to the wear and tear it will endure. “People underestimate how much
abuse an engagement ring gets because you wear it every day,” says Elliot. It comes down to choosing function
over form. “I’m big into function,” he says. “I’m
going to service these rings over their lifetime so I’m always thinking way ahead.” As with most fields these days,
technology now plays a key part in custom jewelry making, with the process involving CAD design programs, laser welders and 3D printers. “As time has gone on, the technology
has advanced,” says Elliot. “Everything is designed on CAD. It takes a lot of expertise.” It’s technology that wasn’t around when
Elliot’s grandfather got into the jewelry business in Taber as something to do in retirement, and Mereski Jewelers was born. Elliot’s dad, Dave, branched out from the family business to form The Goldworks in 1986. “I was around it since I was a kid,” Elliot says. By Grade 11, he was
working at the business after school, and following graduation, “I jumped in.” He’s now in his 20th year. One thing he learned from his father, a master
goldsmith, was the importance of doing things right. “There’s no shortcuts,” says Elliot. “It’s
got to be perfect. You don’t skimp.” That kind of approach is what defines
respected businesses and that’s the goal of the Mereskis in operating The Goldworks. Elliot uses as an example O-Sho Japanese Restaurant, “one of my favourite restaurants. They’re sort of this institution and a lot of businesses in Lethbridge are similar. That’s my goal.” It’s with that in mind that this year’s Best
of the Best recognition is especially appreciated since the folks at The Goldworks didn’t campaign for votes. “It’s happened organically and that’s
really cool,” says Elliot. “It felt fantastic. I do know it’s one that’s very well respected. It’s a big deal.” Find out more about The Goldworks online at
thegoldworks.com.
Thank You Lethbridge for voting us
#1
BEST LANDSCAPER category for 2020!
in the Fulfi lling Southern Alberta’s Landscaping
and Maintenance Needs Since 2000
403-394-1114
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