RingMaster Jewelers looks to the future with familiar faces

Jewelry might glimmer and sparkle, but for Jeremy Waisner and Marick Paolucci, its value is measured in something less tangible — memory, emotion and the stories attached to each piece.

Waisner and Paolucci recently took ownership of RingMaster Jewelers in Winston-Salem, a beloved member of the community since 1969. The two have worked together in sales, management and operations at the store since the 1990s.

“We’re new owners, but we’re also old employees,” Paolucci said.

RingMaster dates back to 1969, when Robert Reed opened it as a specialized bench-repair and custom stone-setting workshop. Reed sold the business to his longtime master goldsmith, Michael Scott, in 1998, from whom Waisner and Paolucci acquired it last year. Over the years, it evolved into a full-service jewelry boutique — the place where suitors found the perfect engagement ring and clients lovingly reset inherited gemstones. 

“It was a natural progression for Marick and I to take the next step into ownership,” said Waisner.

“The two of us always working so well together was just a natural fit,” said Paolucci. “It was a no-brainer for the two of us to continue in this context.”

RingMaster is housed in Reynolda Village, a picturesque, historic setting on the former R.J. Reynolds estate, where its courtyard and fountain draw in plenty of foot traffic. Inside, the owners are refreshing the jewelry mix with designers and styles to appeal to a younger generation. The collection features Alex Sepkus’ intricate micro-textured pieces, modern diamond and precious stone set pieces from Spark and collectible favorites from LAGOS.

Waisner said custom jewelry remains at the heart of the business, from engagement rings to redesigns. An heirloom piece can be transformed into something more contemporary while retaining its family history.

“You still have the sentimental value, but it reflects your current style,” he said.

Traditionally, mined diamonds have held generational value, while laboratory-grown diamonds have grown increasingly popular. Yellow gold is making a comeback after white metals dominated the market for years.

“Diamonds look beautiful in white metals, but yellow gold, and that 1990s trend, is definitely popular again,” said Waisner.

Prices start around $100 for men’s stainless-steel jewelry and stretch to the thousands for diamonds and other gemstones in precious metals.

Colored stones are making a comeback, particularly in engagement rings, as more clients seek unique alternatives to traditional diamond center stones. The store recently created an engagement ring featuring a vibrant orange spessartite garnet, reflecting this growing interest. Fancy yellow diamonds and green center stones paired with yellow gold settings have also become increasingly popular requests.

“Jewelry is tied to emotion, and I don’t think we’ll ever get away from that,” said Paolucci. “There’s something about the experience of learning about it, feeling and touching it.”

Waisner said they want shoppers to understand what they are buying rather than feeling pressured.

“We’re not looking for a one-and-done kind of sale,” he said. “The focus is to try to make the customer welcome.”

They hope to remain woven into the community that has supported the store for nearly six decades.

“We want to be the store when you need something,” Waisner said. “You can come to us, whether it's big or small.”

Ultimately, their hopes extend beyond their own tenure.

“We’ve been here a long time, and we hope to be here that much longer,” Paolucci said. “We believe this store will outlast us.”

Visit ringmasterjewelers.com for more information.

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