Our journey started several decades ago when I, Sonny Burgoon, was about 13 years old. I always loved making and creating things with my hands, so when I was given the opportunity to be a young apprentice for a small jewelry business owner in a quiet town in northern Ohio, I was beyond excited. Every day after school I would help with cleaning, engraving, and other small tasks. Eventually, I was taught to work with the various tools and materials and became entrusted with small repairs.
With the encouragement and support of my colleagues, after high school, I moved out to California with my high school sweetheart to attend GIA (Gemological Institute of America).
Like many kids in college, we struggled to make ends meet while I completed my education. With the help of my loving wife, I completed school with the title of Graduate Jeweler Gemologist. We moved home to Ohio and then followed a work opportunity, making our new home in the South Carolina Lowcountry. I went to work for a large jewelry chain store. I came to realize that this was not the type of business I wanted to be in, where numbers ranked higher than people. I wanted to work with people and help them make their jewelry dreams a reality.
My wife, Lori, and I decided we wanted to open our own business, so we went to work looking for suitable ways to accomplish this dream and eventually found it with the late, Mr. Irving Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz had owned a small jewelry store on Front Street in Historic Georgetown, SC since 1945 and was looking to sell his business and retire. Lori and I began pounding the pavement and knocked on the door of every bank in town trying to get a small business loan to buy from Mr. Schwartz. At just 23 and 22 years old we were a high risk, and we were turned down time and time again. But finally, one day, it happened. We got the “Yes” we had been praying for.
In October of 1994, Lori and I officially opened the doors of our very own business, Diamond Collection. A big thank you to all of our loyal customers for your continued support.
Hour
