Delmas Diamonds and Jewelers: Frank Kapplow: serving other jewelers and the community
Many businessmen fly through years of diverse jobs before they find the career that fits. Frank Kapplow is lucky enough to not be included in that group, as he has only ever worked in the industry he loves: jewelry. His business, Delmas Diamonds and Jewelers, has been open for 15 years to the public, but his involvement in the trade started when he was just a kid.
As a 12 year old boy in middle school, Frank jumped on his first opportunity to earn money. A job in a local jewelry store in Miami was offered to him by the owner, who happened to be a friend of the family. While working there, he learned everything about the jewelry business—how to keep up with the books, pay state taxes, handle jewelry repairs, etc. When he was about 14 years old, he immersed himself in an apprenticeship with a master jeweler from Spain. Over the next five years, Frank’s knowledge broadened immensely and he was ready to handle true responsibility.
At just 19 years old, he took over management and leased the custom repair and order department; he became his own trade shop for the store but worked on the inside. He met representatives from companies all over the country and did some work for them as well. Known as a “jeweler’s jeweler,” Frank provided services to businesses in the industry who didn’t have the skills to do their own manufacturing, repairs, custom work and so forth.
In 1993, he moved to Tallahassee to take care of his mother; shortly thereafter, he met "the most wonderful wife," Mona Hamilton, who works at TCC and opened Delmas Diamonds and Jewelers and expanded his business to serve the public, instead of just other companies in the trade.
Frank takes pride in the unique services offered at Delmas Diamonds and Jewelers. Customers receive 100 percent honesty on all products. For instance, he shows customers exactly what a diamond costs him so that they will understand what they are paying for and how much of a profit he will be making off the sale. His jewelry selection is also of the highest quality; only GIA certified diamonds are sold, and customers are always presented with accurate grading. Frank also offers custom cad-com work; he can take a picture of a piece of jewelry and create it at a customer’s precise specifications.
What really sets his company apart from others, though, is that he provides all the services on the jewelry in his own store, so he doesn’t have to raise the price by hiring a jeweler’s jeweler to do part of the work; essentially, he is his own middle man, and because of that, his prices are lower.
Delmas Diamonds and Jewelers is involved with the Leon County Animal Shelter; there, Frank assists with dog rescuing and additional volunteer work. Personally, he and his wife are involved with SEPRA. In his spare time, Frank also enjoys participating in and watching motocross; motocross, along with jewelry, is a passion that has always been part of his life.
Frank is thankful that in the difficult economy, his business has only continued to flourish. He attributes the success to his quality pricing and policies, which has led to positive word of mouth. He recognizes that people still have a need for goods and services but that they want value for their money; this wish is granted at Delmas Diamonds and Jewelers.
Article prepared by Lauren Novo
For more information about this business, visit: http://www.trusteria.com/ddj
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