Since Alvin Goldfarb opened his namesake boutique jewelry store in 1980, customers have enjoyed a shopping experience like no other with personalized, friendly, knowledgeable service from employees who have been here almost as long as the business itself. And although Alvin passed away in September 2016, his legacy has lived on through his son and current owner, Steven. “He was not only the face, but the heart, of the store from the day he opened the door until his retirement,” says Steven, fondly. “Dad’s optimism, great taste and, most especially, his belief that everyone who came through our doors was a special person celebrating a special occasion, underlines everything we do.”

Steven is a fifth-generation Seattle jeweler, but the family’s Seattle roots go even deeper. “My great, great grandparents moved to Seattle in 1879 before Washington became a state in 1889,” Steven marvels. And ever since, caring for their community has stood above all else for the Goldfarb’s. As Steven says, “Seattle, Bellevue, in fact, the entire region, is so important to us that we enthusiastically support causes ranging from the USO to high schools and Rotary.” In the past, he and his wife, Fredda, have served on boards such as Overlake Hospital, Seattle Children’s Theater, and Hutch Holiday Gala benefitting the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Today they are focused on donating money to and spreading awareness for causes surrounding veterans including the USO, Wounded Warrior Project®, and Fisher House Foundation.

I recently caught up with Steven to see what has changed since we last spoke in 2022, and wasn’t the least bit shocked at his answer, even considering it is impossible to improve upon perfection.

Perhaps that is why Steven has customers and their family members coming back again and again. Whether you are choosing the perfect watch, finding just the right engagement ring, settling on a gorgeous anniversary gift, or creating something custom for the person in your life who means the most to you, Steven and his staff are here to help.

And speaking of custom pieces, this is where Steven truly shines. When someone asks if he can create a beautiful ring from scratch, Steven begins a conversation. As he explains, “Oftentimes they’ve got a pretty good idea of what they want. It’s my job to help them realize that vision.” He gives the example of a man he sat down with who described the young lady he wanted to give the ring to including what she did for work, how she grew up, how she dressed, the way she laughed, her sense of humor, and how she used her hands when talking. A couple of days later when Steven showed him the rendering of the ring, his customer said, “That is perfect! How did you do that?” Steven replied, “I did something a lot of other people don’t, I listened.”

Whether choosing a piece of jewelry on your own or enlisting the help of Steven’s team, he gives this invaluable advice:

Steven has given quite a bit of advice over the years not only on how to choose the perfect piece for that special someone, but how to make sure they are ready to receive it if there will be photos taken to commemorate the occasion. He tells the story of one client who planned to ask his girlfriend to marry him at the end of a hike on Crystal Mountain with Mt. Rainier in the background. Steven said, “You need to find a way to make sure she is ‘photo-ready’ at the top or she is not going to want those photos circulated widely afterward.” So they came up with a plan. The client told his girlfriend his company wanted to take photos of employees enjoying weekend activities and that he would like her to be in the photos. She brought along some make-up and had already had her nails done. It worked like a charm!

Last year, Steven not only helped a couple with their rings he officiated the ceremony. As is his way, he took the time to go online and get certified just for them. “That was a tremendous honor,” he says. And that is what it has always been about here…relationships. As Steven concludes: