A Family of Jewelers
Written By Craig Kaminer
Whether it is the Via Condotti in Rome, the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, the Mayfair District in London, the Maximilianstrasse in Munich, The Place Vendome in Paris or the rue de Rhone in Geneva, multi-generational jewelers with storied pasts line the streets and back alleys where locals and visitors seek out that special something that will delight their loved ones -- and their heirs -- for generations to come. So too do St. Louisans with Albarré, which for 44 years has helped adorn some of St. Louis’ best known families with engagement rings, statement pieces for magical galas and milestone events or just to say “I love you.”
According to Barry Sherman (the Barre in Albarré), “We’re not just making and selling jewelry...we're making family history. The stories behind each piece of jewelry are as important as the jewelry itself.”
Sherman started Albarré with his business partner Alvin (who’s no longer in the business) in 1976 in the same space Albarré occupies today. Sherman, who was previously a history teacher at Kirkwood High School, acknowledges the generosity of St. Louis real estate giant Ted Bakewell and his New York partner Harry Helmsley, who rented him 655 sq. ft. of space just off the heavily trafficked Clayton Rd. shopping district as well as the patron who walked into his shop and purchased a $10,000 ring (now worth more than $100,000). I recently had the privilege of meeting with Sherman -- and his wife, Myra, who reminisced about the business he started from scratch. According to Sherman, his success was based on personal relationships, handshakes and lifelong partnerships with purveyors from around the world. Many of these relationships lasted until the customers passed away and many continue to this day with the children and grandchildren who value Sherman as a trusted partner. “These relationships changed my life, and most of these jewels are still in their families. We’re a serious service business. I don’t look over my shoulder, shop other stores or envy the success of others. There’s plenty of business for everyone.”
While the jewelry business has changed dramatically over the years, Sherman has stayed focused on what he did from the first day he opened the doors: creating custom jewelry, and establishing relationships with individuals and families based on trust and loyalty. Sherman proudly talks about the generations of family members he still works with, from vendors of rare stones throughout the world to the grandchildren of his first customers who now trust Albarré with their most precious gifts and heirlooms. “It’s a matter of honor.”
While the shop is filled with ready to wear jewelry for gifts, Sherman relishes the opportunity to work with his customers on bespoke pieces. The process begins with drawings to wax models to the casts in silver and finally the finished pieces in gold and platinum encrusted with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and dozens of other precious and semi-precious stones. “It's fun to work with a designer on a unique piece. “I involve the customer in the process so the finished piece tells his or her story that will last forever.” Albarre has created many statement pieces for the debutantes of The Veiled Prophet Ball over the years.
Perhaps its location in the heart of Ladue, the relationships built over 40 years, or Albarre’s passion for heirlooms as distinctive as the original masterpieces of Bulgari, Cartier or Van Cleef & Arpels have contributed to the success of the business. “I believe people will still want personal service and attention to detail in 20 years from now, so despite how things have changed, things will likely stay the same when it comes to jewelry,” says Sherman.
Now, Sherman’s daughter Jamie is starting to assume the leadership of Albarré. Jamie, who loves jewelry and is dedicated to providing personal service, also has many of her own ideas for the future. But make no mistake, Barry and Myra are not retiring anytime soon. “It’s our family working with other families and that’s what makes it special for us and for them.”
Recently, Albarré opened a new diamond salon that provides privacy to customers as they make decisions about the jewelry that will become part of their lives. They also operate a robust business in estate jewelry with pieces which have stories of their own, distinctive designs from a variety of time periods and value which can rarely be matched by modern pieces. . Working with so many multi-generation families, Albarré has a specialty re-styling pieces to meet today’s tastes and trends. “Few pieces remain in the same settings as they did originally; so we reimagine the pieces using the same stones, often the same metals, and give new meaning and significance to the piece.”
There aren’t many lifelong jewelers like Sherman, or family businesses like Albarré, but they are out there and will be passed down from generation to generation, and friend to friend, as long as people want to give things of value to their loved ones. Chances are that gifts with rich stories will never go out of style - as was evidenced by a steady stream of mask-wearing customers entering the store in late May 2020. It is truly inspiring to see a family business flourish at this strange and unusual time.
9711 Clayton Road, Ladue, MO 63124
314.997.1707