About Us
Island Jewelers is a family run business that began in 2005. It is run by siblings, Carissa and Shaun, who were inspired to increase the reach of their father's self-started jewelry business, Richard Associates, Inc., by utilizing the internet. Their father, Richard F. Williams, Jr., got his start in the jewelry business by following in his father's footsteps. Richard F. Williams, Sr. was a metal-smith who specialized in pewter lathe work, crafting vases, candle holders, goblets, bowls and more under the name "Williams Pewter". Richard Jr. began selling his father's pieces in 1975 and eventually expanded his inventory to include high-quality sterling silver and 14kt gold jewelry.
Meet the Artist
The majority of our jewelry, including our Beach Collection and Bangle Bracelets, is hand-crafted in the U.S.A. by Rafi K. O'Hanes, owner of Bassano Jewelry Manufacturing. Rafi was always a creative child, and he got involved in the jewelry business when he was only 12 years old. Being brought up in Europe and different parts of the Mediterranean, Rafi was educated in various styles of jewelry fashion trends and learned techniques and artistry used by master jewelers in Greece and Europe.
Rafi made his move to the US in 1977. When he arrived, the popular jewelry style in America was “old-fashioned”, big and heavy nugget style products, and there was little detail. Rafi knew that the market needed a revolution in design, so he went against the conventional practices of the times and invented the “mini-charms”. Mini-Charms were tiny and extremely light weight in comparison to the products that were on the market at the time. However, given the market conditions and the public’s need for change, these Mini-Charms took the jewelry industry by storm.
“The jewelry industry is always in need of change and people get tired of the same old products… we have to be innovative and not be afraid to take on challenges..." says Rafi. His most recent creation is the beloved Bangle Bracelet. Hundreds of designs wrapped in a handmade Sterling Silver or 14-Karat bangle. Today, this Bangle Bracelet continues to evolve in the hands of Rafi, its most recent incarnation being the interchangeable Bangle Bracelet.
Most importantly Rafi is a family man and believes in old-fashioned family values. He lives by the Golden Rule and believes that as consumers we expect the best and, therefore, as artists, manufacturers and resellers we should strive to deliver the best to our beloved customers.
Rafi made his move to the US in 1977. When he arrived, the popular jewelry style in America was “old-fashioned”, big and heavy nugget style products, and there was little detail. Rafi knew that the market needed a revolution in design, so he went against the conventional practices of the times and invented the “mini-charms”. Mini-Charms were tiny and extremely light weight in comparison to the products that were on the market at the time. However, given the market conditions and the public’s need for change, these Mini-Charms took the jewelry industry by storm.
“The jewelry industry is always in need of change and people get tired of the same old products… we have to be innovative and not be afraid to take on challenges..." says Rafi. His most recent creation is the beloved Bangle Bracelet. Hundreds of designs wrapped in a handmade Sterling Silver or 14-Karat bangle. Today, this Bangle Bracelet continues to evolve in the hands of Rafi, its most recent incarnation being the interchangeable Bangle Bracelet.
Most importantly Rafi is a family man and believes in old-fashioned family values. He lives by the Golden Rule and believes that as consumers we expect the best and, therefore, as artists, manufacturers and resellers we should strive to deliver the best to our beloved customers.