Meet Elias “Eli” Acevedo of Greenville Jewelers…
With every piece of jewelry there is a tradition. Make no exception for Greenville Jewelers. Before opening their store in the Upstate in 2012, the Acevedo family has been in the jewelry business for over 100 years. Now four generations later the family tradition continues with the store’s current owner, Elias Acevedo (but you can call him Eli) offering custom design, jewelry repair, watch repair and more! Now let’s go meet the business owner behind the fine jewelry and continued tradition, Eli Acevedo.
360: Tell us the story of how Greenville Jewelers opened.
Eli: Greenville Jewelers opened out of a desire to continue a longstanding tradition and passion my family has had for a very long time. Over 100 years ago in a very small town in Dominican Republic my great uncle opened up a jewelry store, which became a hub of education and inspiration for now four generations in my family. Just like every jewelry store that has ever opened in my family we started small and humble. In 2012 we opened up our doors and little by little began growing, I still remember being 15 years old and making not just my first sale, but this store’s first sale!
360: What kind of unique services does Greenville Jewelers offer?
Eli: At Greenville Jewelers we truly offer services that no other store in the Upstate does, our namesake is everything is done in house from start to finish. We offer completely custom work from a rough sketch to final product, watch repair, high-end timepiece servicing, gem polishing, jewelry repair, laser engraving, 3D printing, and the list can go on and on.
360: What do you love most about your job at Greenville Jewelers?
Eli: So I would have to say its a two way tie. I absolutely love watch repair and servicing, the meticulousness, precision, and the time that goes into making sure each watch is running perfectly and restored to its former glory is extremely satisfying and fulfilling. Apart from that, there’s custom pieces, this is where I can let my creativity run free. There is nothing like sitting down with a client, getting a few notes down or a rough sketch and turning that into a beautiful final finished piece. The process of turning a sketch into a CAD to a rendering then a 3D printed mold and then the final casting is beautiful in itself.
360: When you’re not working, what do you love to do in the Upstate?
Eli: Well you said it “when I’m not working” which is rarely because I love what I do. But in those few moments I am away from the store I love to go cycling, the Upstate has so many beautiful trails, of course the Swamp Rabbit Trail, I personally really like the Donaldson Center Airport country side ride. Apart from cycling, I am a sound engineer and youth leader at Disciples Church after hours which just like everything else I do, is challenging and fulfilling. Greenville to me is heaven on earth, its home and it always will be, there is no better place to live.
360: What’s next for Greenville Jewelers? Anything new on the horizon you can share with us?
Eli: We actually have some very exciting news! For the last six months we have been researching and upgrading our manufacturing machinery and abilities, from new 3D printers to larger casting machines. We have loved serving the upstate public and will continue to do, but we are also branching out to offer our services on the wholesale side to other jewelry stores locally and nationally. With our new methods and equipment we will be able to churn out hundreds of pieces a day.
360: Thank you again for your time and keep up the great work!
Greenville Jewelers is currently open Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm at 215-A West Wade Hampton Blvd in Greer, SC. For more details you can visit their website here or simply call (864) 469-9560. You can also follow the store via Instagram and Facebook.
Want to meet more people around the Upstate? Check out our past interviews here.