Bringing a distinct and enduring brand of American luxury to the Valley, Black, Starr, & Frost - America's first jeweler since 1810 - has opened its first Phoenix location at the Biltmore Plaza Shopping Center.
The new salon officially opened Saturday, following a ribbon cutting ceremony with Hollywood icon Carol Channing, who was the first to croon "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" in the Broadway production of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," resulting in a Time Magazine cover story, which hailed her performance as Lorelei, making Miss Channing a star of international acclaim.
According to Alfredo J. Molina, chairman of Black, Starr & Frost, the newly opened salon will serve clients in his well-known chateau-style building at 32nd Street and Camelback - adjacent to his Molina Fine Jewelers storefront. Both entities will operate independently.
A world-renowned gemologist and 11th generation jeweler who has operated Molina Fine Jewelers for over 20 years, Molina acquired the iconic Black, Starr & Frost brand in 2006, and in 2011 opened a beautifully appointed showroom overlooking the Newport Beach harbor in Southern California. He is now keenly focused on expanding the historic company - which in its heyday had over 30 locations - into key U.S. markets.
A jeweler to celebrities, presidents, privileged American families and royalty, Black, Starr & Frost's colorful 205-year history is set against the extravagance of the Gilded Age, the turbulence of the Reconstruction Era, the vibrancy of the Jazz Age and more. From crafting the first class ring for West Point in 1835 to designing and producing a silver platter for The Davis Cup in 1921, the jewelry brand's storied history is America's history.
"For over 200 years, Black, Starr & Frost has represented legendary quality and the very finest service," says Molina. "We are thrilled to bring everyday 'American Luxury' to Phoenix with this iconic brand, which is America's longest continuously operating jeweler. The Phoenix and Scottsdale market is a perfect market for classic jewelry, rare jewels, luxury timepieces and finely crafted pieces, and this store is critical to our expansion as we continue to focus on revitalizing the Black, Starr & Frost brand."
The southern portion of the landmark Molina building has been completely renovated to accommodate the new two-story, 2,000-square-foot Black, Starr & Frost salon, which like Molina Fine Jewelers, will provide one-of-a-kind jewels and finely crafted jewelry, but on a more accessible and affordable scale.
According to lead architect for the project, Erik Peterson of PHX Architecture, the new store - an appealing mix of contemporary style and vintage touches - captures the original feel of its early New York City locations with interior and exterior design inspired by vintage photos depicting Black, Starr & Frost stores throughout history. As with the original stores, an intricate gold replica of the American eagle graces the front door of the new salon. In another welcoming touch, custom front door hardware is patterned after an art nouveau style emerald and diamond brooch, a rare Black, Starr & Frost piece dating back to 1880. Furthering the focus on the jeweler's enduring history, an in-store display showcases early photos, antiques and original pieces.
The new salon features sleek interiors with gleaming black and white tile floors, classic sterling silver accents - a nod to the company's early work as silversmiths - and walls clad in black-on-black patterned wallpaper. Exquisite jewels and fine jewelry, all housed in handsome glass and silver casework, are a focal point of the new space, with additional casework recessed into walls.
Other highlights include:
· An expansive plate glass front window displaying jewelry to passers by (Black, Starr & Frost was the first retailer to show merchandise to the outside of a building, launching the pastime of window shopping.).
· An enclosed outdoor front patio for special events and parties.
· An upstairs salon to accommodate VIPs and allow
Private viewings of rare pieces.
· A state-of-the art safe deposit box system contained within the salon's vaults for safekeeping of clients' valuables. (The firm invented the safe box system during the Civil War to keep valuables of clients from the North and the South safe during war.).
Like its turn-of-the century predecessors, the new store will keenly focus on customer service. Espresso and champagne will be offered to all customers, and purse stools provided for those perusing the fine jewelry.
Along with white glove service, one-of-a-kind jewels and heirloom pieces and everyday luxury collections including timepieces, the new store features a complete spectrum of services, including custom jewelry design and manufacturing; a VIP concierge; cleaning and inspection; fine jewelry repair; jewelry appraisals;
Private appointments; and estate jewelry.
The architect of record was PHX Architecture, which also oversaw interior design of the luxury salon. Scottsdale-based Angelone Builders led the construction with Berghoff Design Group, also headquartered in Scottsdale, spearheading landscape design.
