Hometown News and Views

By Phyllis J. Neuberger
Pelican staff
After 26 years in the same location, Beacon Light Jewelers is one of the most trusted retailers in Lighthouse Point.
Charles and Rita Davis are respected jewelers who have helped customers find just the right sparkle for special people in their lives at Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, engagements and weddings. The store, at 2484 N. Federal Hwy. in Shoppes at Beacon Light, is filled with exquisite diamonds, gold, silver and the newest metals used in fine jewelry for half the cost of precious metals.
Charles says, “A big part of our business is creating original designs and settings. We pride ourselves on our service and willingness to accommodate clients with their own ideas for choosing, changing and creating.”
He adds, “We also buy and sell gold and silver, repair jewelry, replace stones, re-size rings, do watch repair, replace batteries and adjust watch bands. Although we have a very complete inventory, we can special order anything we don’t happen to have and get it quickly.”
Rita specializes in computerized engraving, bead restringing and customer service.
“She lends a feminine prospective and is often asked to help our gentlemen shoppers choose something for that special lady in their lives,” her husband says. “We know many of our customers so well, Rita knows or can guess what will please their ladies.”
 Are diamonds still a girl’s best friend?
Charlie grins and says, “Yes, diamond rings and other accessories with diamond accents will always be in. Right now the halo-style border on any shape diamond is our most popular engagement ring and a matching diamond wedding band is the perfect partner.  We can offer diamonds in every color in the rainbow. In addition to Christmas, our biggest diamond season will soon be here. This is the big season for Valentine’s Day, engagements, weddings and graduations. “
Charlie is anxious to talk about the hottest new jewelry creations on the fashion scene.
“Our customers are gravitating to designs in Titanium which looks like white gold or silver. It’s light, durable and is less than half the price of gold and silver.”  Several showcases in the store feature Titanium with semi-precious stones.  
Necklaces, rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets are available with stones of garnet,  green amethyst, onyx, blue Topaz and turquoise in a price range of $150 to $500.
The second metal on the scene is Tungsten Carbide steel which is the world’s hardest metallic substance. “It’s smooth, scratch proof and ideal in rings, watch bands, money clips and other accessories,” says Charlie as he shows off the sleek, smooth look and feel of this popular metal.
Charlie started in the business as a high school boy in Plainview, Texas. He says, “Mother worked for Zale Jewelers and she got me started. I think I got it in my blood back then. After high school, I moved to Atlanta,  to attend manager training for Zale. My next career move was to Kay jewelers as a store manager. I moved on to become the factory rep for Speidel watches and held that post for 12 years.  About then I decided I wanted to own my own independent jewelry store. I bought this existing store which was, even then, one of the oldest businesses in LHP. It’s been a wonderful experience. An independent store has an edge over the corporate stores because it can be more flexible, courageous and that’s a big advantage for the customer.”
He and Rita have been married for 40 years. They  have 2 daughters and three grandchildren.  
“Having been here this long, many of our customers have become friends,” Rita says. “We’ve watched their families grow up. It’s a thrill to have those little girls show up with their young men to choose engagement rings and wedding bands. It gives us a great sense of pride and connection.”
Former commissioner, Susan Foster, calls Beacon Light Jewelers her favorite store. “I’ve been a loyal customer since Charlie opened,” she says. “My entire family goes to him for their important jewelry. My son and daughter-in-law bought her engagement ring and their wedding bands from Charlie. He’s designed jewelry for me; most recently it was a pendant showing off a beautiful stone I bought in Brazil. He’s fair, honest and carries only fine quality. I know because I’ve checked him out.”
Ed Murray says, “I think I own half of his store. My wife has diamonds in every color but red. We started to buy jewelry from Rita and Charlie as soon as we moved into the area  in 2001 They are the most honest business people I’ve ever met. I send everyone I know to their store because they’re good people and they carry fine jewelry.”
Open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 954-942-9318.