Craiger Drake Designs Opens Custom Jewelry Showroom on Walnut Street: Jeweler offers uniquely made pieces and intimate setting for luxurious shopping experience

Businesswire.com

November 01, 2010

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Craiger Drake Designs, a custom jewelry company owned by distinguished Philadelphia jewelry manufacturer Craiger Drake, opens its Walnut Street showroom today, where it will unveil a distinctive selection of avant-garde, one-of-a-kind pieces that mix rare gems, surprising materials and bold designs. Passionately focused on delivering an exclusive customer experience, Drake has built his new business on personal attention and customer involvement in the design of jewelry that will be uniquely theirs.

“As the designer, I am deeply inspired by the customer, so I have created an intimate showroom that ensures everyone is given the personal attention necessary to select or create a piece that complements their distinct style.”

“Selecting a piece of jewelry should be a very personal experience that revolves around the customer’s personality, style and physique,” said Drake of his approach to Craiger Drake Designs. “As the designer, I am deeply inspired by the customer, so I have created an intimate showroom that ensures everyone is given the personal attention necessary to select or create a piece that complements their distinct style.”

Located at 1616 Walnut Street in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, Drake’s stylish, chic showroom is warm and inviting, complete with a cozy sitting area ideal for one-on-one consultation with Drake. “Whether you are shopping our showroom’s jewelry or have a vision for a piece that is uniquely yours, the showroom is designed to offer the customer a space to begin the experience,” said Drake. “Here, we can sketch a custom engagement ring design or discuss which ‘statement piece’ is best suited for their style.”

Creating iconic jewelry since the mid-1980s, Craiger Drake has designed and manufactured timeless jewelry collections for upscale retailers, such as Tiffany & Co., Neiman Marcus and Bailey Banks & Biddle. For his opening, Drake has designed several exceptional pieces, including a rare 20 carat purple tourmaline set in a handmade platinum diamond- and sapphire-encrusted mounting.

The showroom will also include affordable unique jewelry, such as a Mali wedding bead necklace, which features bold-colored African trade beads in a variety of designs. Craiger Drake Designs will also be the exclusive Philadelphia distributor of Poor Cat Designs, affordable funky designs of 18 carat yellow, white and rose gold, as well as platinum and sterling silver.

Craiger Drake will be joined by a team of highly experienced jewelry sales associates and designers, including Joan Holmes, Nancy Claster, Mindy Mussari, Amanda Rich and Elena Nottis, Graduate Gemologist Alison Amann and Master Stone Cutter David Nassi.

Editor’s Note: From November 1 " 5, members of the media are invited to tour the Craiger Drake Design showroom for a private viewing of Drake’s jewelry. Interviews and photography can be arranged upon request.

About Craiger Drake Designs: Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square, Craiger Drake Designs is a private wholesale jewelry company offering custom-designed pieces as well as one-of-a-kind jewelry sold in the retail showroom. Owned by distinguished jewelry manufacturer Craiger Drake, it focuses on personal attention and client involvement, ensuring an exclusive customer experience. www.craigerdrake.com