About Us
Tiffany Clay - Owner
Ever since I received a jewelry box full of my Grandma Augustine’s costume jewelry, I was hooked. Maybe the pop up ballerina helped a little, but I remember the way the strands of Austrian Crystals reflected rainbow colors in the sun, the Baltic Amber, and vibrant colors of the orange and red rhinestones set in floral patterns on broaches and clip on earrings. Spreading that treasure on my Strawberry Shortcake bed spread provided me with hours of entertainment (and my parents with hours of peace and quiet). What more could a five year old want to wear to kindergarten? Weather it was spinning my mother’s wedding ring on her finger, or going into my father’s desk box and trying on his class ring the seed for a fascination with jewelry was planted.
As soon as my little fingers could string macaroni together, I started creating jewelry, and as a teenager, I started taking every beading class, and jewelry fabrication class I could get into. In 1997 I graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and state university in with a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a Global Business Concentration. As fate would have it, the Bull and the Bear couldn’t hold a flame to Diamonds and Pearls.
After the realization that you spend more time at work than you do with your family and friends, and your career path should reflect who you are and where your passions lie, I decided to go to the Gemological Institute of America and study Gemology in residence. was ecstatic there was a place I could go to turn my passion into a career. I decided I wanted to become a jeweler. GIA is where students from all over the world build successful careers in the gem and jewelry industry. The residency program only produces approximately 170 Graduate Gemologists a year. I took advantage of many courses the Gemological Institute of America had to offer. Along with earning my Graduate Gemology certification, I took advantage of wax carving classes, the Pearl course, the Accredited Jewelry Professional, Jewelry design classes, and Jewelry design in CAD CAM programs.
After working in Southern California for a year, I decided to return to my home town of Annapolis to practice my craft where I studied and achieved my Registered Jeweler and Certified Gemologist certification through the American Gem Society. After being in the industry for 7 years, I decided it was right to go into business for myself. Augustine’s Diamond Boutique was born.
Giving diamonds and diamond jewelry is among the ultimate gestures of love and commitment. Diamonds and diamond jewelry are the only luxury item you can give with minimal care that will look as beautiful in 100 years as they do the day you purchased it.
At Augustine’s diamond boutique, you will be able to get the professional information you need to know to make an informed decision on this precious gift you want to give. We want you to make the perfect purchase for what you want to say that respects your budget. We have something to make a statement for every price range.
