Tag: engagement
Jeff Pesature (30) and Alex Johnson (26) are both from Yardley, PA. But cupid shot his arrow a bit further south, in Alexandria, Virginia, when Jeff, doing an apprenticeship program with the Washington D.C. Plumbers Union, met Alex, who was working a rotational marketing program for a pharmaceutical firm. The two were introduced by Alex’s cousin, who is a friend of Jeff’s younger sister, Kelsey.
The Engagement
Fast forward to 2018. Jeff and Alex had, by this time, discussed marriage, but in general terms. The immediate goal, Alex thought, was for Jeff to finish his education. Jeff had other plans. He knew that an heirloom necklace from Alex’s grandmother contained a diamond that Alex ultimately hoped to see repurposed into an engagement ring one day.
“My brother-in-law had purchased Kelsey’s ring at David Craig Jewelers and highly recommend them, so I knew where I wanted to go,” says Jeff. “I was home for the weekend and secretly asked Alex’s mom and sister to meet me at David Craig Jewelers with the diamond,” explains Jeff. “I was really nervous but everybody at the shop made me feel totally at home.”
“We’re always honored to be entrusted with our clients precious jewelry heirlooms,” says Paul Cohen, a GIA graduate gemologist at David Craig Jewelers. “It’s wonderful to be able to give these special pieces new life for yet another generation.”
Past, Present and Future
Jeff asked for Alex’s hand in marriage on December 22nd . He presented Alex with a new engagement ring which David Craig Jewelers had created, consisting of the heirloom diamond in the center (representing the past), framed by quarter-carat diamonds on either side (representing the present and future).
Jeff and Alex were later joined at one of their favorite Philadelphia restaurants, Brigantessa, by a large gathering invited from both sides of the family. The couple plan to get married at another big family celebration this year on New Year’s Eve, at Feasterville’s Buck Hotel. They will settle in Pennsylvania where Alex now works.
“We’ll be purchasing our bands at David Craig Jewelers and, for that matter, any jewelry we want to buy in the future,” sums up Jeff. “It’s the only place I would shop after such a wonderful experience.”
As a National Guard recruiter for Bucks County, Nick Brinckman is used to enlisting recruits with heartfelt persuasion and, of course, simple facts. But it obviously didn’t take any persuading at all to convince Lauren Steele to agree to marry him. And the simple fact was that he loved Lauren and knew she felt the same about him.
Nick, a self-titled “military brat” who attended Council Rock High School with Lauren, moved to Florida junior year and graduated from Mariner High School in Cape Coral, Florida before joining the army. Lauren graduated from Council Rock and went off to college. Fifteen years went by.
Fast forward to 2016. Two divorces and five children later (three for him, two for her) the two met up again in Bucks County thanks to mutual friends. This was something special. Nick knew he wanted to marry Lauren, but also recognized that blending two established families could be challenging. He sought approval individually from all five children. “They all thought that asking Lauren to marry me was a great idea,” Nick recalls. Nick also spoke to Lauren’s mother, sister and even visited Lauren’s deceased father’s gravesite to express his intentions.
The Ring
Nick took Lauren into David Craig Jewelers to have her finger sized for what she assumed might be a holiday gift.
“I wanted a local jeweler, someone who had a great reputation and loads of experience,” said Nick. “David was really friendly, as were his staff.”
Nick returned to the store weeks later and, with David’s help, picked out a beautiful one-carat round diamond. The stone would sit in a cushioned cut bezel setting in 14K white gold, all designed by David.
“David is just an extremely nice guy and was willing to answer any of my questions and offer advice without being forceful,” said Nick.
Nick thought Christmas vacation holiday 2017 would be a great time to propose when he, Lauren and their children would be together at Camelback mountain. On December 29th, under the stars, with the warmth of a fire to help illuminate the sparkle in Lauren’s eyes (and the beautiful diamond he pulled from a gift box!), Nick asked Lauren to be his wife. Lauren, a NICU nurse at Abington, enthusiastically said yes, or to be exact, “Yes, a thousand times yes!”
A wedding date has not been set. We send our best wishes to this great couple and their children.
On a balmy summer day in 2015, marathoner Matthew Myers stopped into Moishe and Itzy’s restaurant at Summit Square, Langhorne for a yummy respite after a run.
Afterwards, Matthew decided to head down a few shops for a peek into the nearby David Craig Jewelers for a look at their engagement rings.
Even without the added “happy” endorphins from running, Matthew immediately knew this was the place he would make his important purchase for the love of his life, Laurie Heusner.
“I had looked at different jewelers, and knew I didn’t want a chain store – I wanted a more personalized experience and David Craig Jewelers seemed like the perfect place,” says Matthew.
He purchased a sapphire ring (Matthew’s birthstone) surrounded by diamonds on a white gold base. The vibrant blue color also matches Matthews eyes – a reminder for Laurie of his commitment to her. The ring is overall “understated” since he knew Laurie wanted something more “low profile.”
The couple had started dating in 2013 when they met through friends when involved in a marathon fundraiser. Matthew proposed August 1, 2015 and the couple were married one year later on August 12, 2016 at Connecticut’s Mystic Aquarium (be sure to check out the “guest mammal” in the photo!). Mr. and Mrs. Myers now live in Langhorne. Laurie works at Swarthmore College, and Matthew for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Matthew’s white gold matching wedding band is highlighted by an aquamarine gemstone, Laurie’s birthstone. All rings were custom made and designed at David Craig Jewelers.
The couple also purchased wedding gifts for each other from David Craig – a Citizens Eco-Drive watch for Matthew from Laurie, and a diamond and aquamarine bracelet from Matthew to Laurie which also served as her “something new” at the wedding.
“I highly recommend David Craig Jewelers,” says Matthew. “David (Rotenberg) and everyone else there was so very helpful and clearly listened to us to make sure we got exactly what we wanted.”
In 2012, Kelsey Wilhere, from Langhorne, and Dennis Lynch, from Levittown, were introduced to each other by a mutual friend.
At the time, Kelsey was a student at Penn State Abington and Dennis was studying at East Strasbourg University.
After graduation in 2014, the two moved to Las Vegas where they both began their careers, Kelsey as a kindergarten teacher and Dennis teaching 8th grade health. The couple discussed marriage and knew it was in their near future, but Dennis still wanted the proposal itself to be magical.
Dennis had visited David Craig Jewelers after hints from Kelsey who had already perused rings in the Bucks County, PA store. Says Kelsey: “I used to babysit for Joanne Jeuch*, (an Accredited Jewelry Professional for David Craig Jewelers), and had actually visited her at the store, so I had a good idea of the kind of ring I would like.”
In the summer of 2014, Dennis decided to pop the question in front of about 100 people gathered for a party for Dennis’s mom’s 50th birthday. “Kelsey wanted to include family and friends in all steps of our adventure,” said Dennis. “So,
after giving a speech in honor of my mother, I got down on my knee and surprised Kelsey by proposing in front of the group —people who meant a lot to both of us —which seemed the perfect time.”
The couple were married June 23, 2017 in East Windsor, New Jersey. They still reside in Las Vegas.
“I only get my ring (a dainty, princess-cut center diamond made and designed by David Craig Jewelers) cleaned when I return back to this area. I trust them all at David Craig and everyone is so personable—David always shakes our hands, asks how we’re doing and you know he means it,” says Kelsey.
“You really get a good feeling when you walk through the door,” agrees Dennis.
We wish Kelsey and Dennis happy holidays and best wishes as they complete their first year together as Mr. and Mrs. Lynch!
*Kelsey’s ring, as further explained by Joanne:
“Kelsey’s ring is set in white gold. The center diamond is flanked on each side by a round diamond. The shank of the ring is set with ten additional diamonds, five on each side, that are graduated in size with the smallest diamonds closest to the center three stones. It’s a beautiful, delicate creation that perfectly suits Kelsey. Plus, for her wedding ring, she chose a pair of curved diamond bands that fit up against her engagement ring on each side.”
Claire Wiley met Skyler Borgman four and a half years ago while the two were living in Philadelphia. She was attending vet school at the University of Pennsylvania and he was working towards an MBA in Finance at Temple.
When Skyler proposed to Claire last month he did so with a romantic dinner, lit candles and a special family heirloom—the Bogach Diamond. The beautiful, European-cut stone was currently residing in a necklace. It was registered in MOND, the Museum of Named Diamonds, and had been passed down through the generations from its Ellis Island entrance into the United States with Skyler’s great grandmother.
Skyler (originally from Lansdowne, PA) and Claire (originally from Connecticut) knew just where to go when they decided to re-set this heirloom stone into a unique engagement ring for Claire—David Craig Jewelers. Claire was aware of David’s reputation as one of the area’s leading experts on gemstones since her mother had previously turned to the Bucks County jeweler to re-set her own engagement ring.
The young couple were happy to obtain Claire’s mom’s recommendation. They were delighted with the final ring creation which now boasts hand-set, natural light pink diamonds surrounding the family heirloom diamond. The main diamond is slightly elevated as David says, to “not only enhance its natural beauty but to signify its special history in the family.”
Says Claire: “I wanted a solitaire but David told us he could design something even more beautiful if we let him, and he was so right. My ring is more incredible than I ever could have imagined – we basically let David use his talents to create something and he presented us with this work of art!” The couple plan an August 5, 2018 wedding in New Hope.
We wish them much happiness and lasting joy!