A Legacy Continues

When Shirley O’Neal set out to sell jewelry in 1989, she didn’t anticipate her great-nephew that was born that year would one day succeed her in the trade. Over the last 35 years, she has built a reputation as an outstanding businesswoman and pillar in the community of Laurel, DE.

That great-nephew, Steven James, will be applying the same principles through a new name, James Fine Jewelry. With the same commitment to Quality and Integrity, Steven will carry on the legacy of treating others the way he would want to be treated.

Although his Aunt Shirley has entrusted him with a huge set of shoes to fill, Steven is excited for the future. "I’m so blessed to have a mentor like Aunt Shirley, both in the trade and in life. I’m coupling her real-world expertise with my formal education through GIA, which is the foremost education in the gem world. I’m following in my Uncle Louis O’Neal’s footsteps to make sure my education is worth the trust customers place in me.”

Steven feels like James Fine Jewelry is a culmination of his professional experience so far: “I’ve been blessed to learn from leaders that prioritized people and honesty in all that they did. Jewelry is a relationship based business and you need to be able to trust your jeweler. With so many imitations and synthetics in the market, it all comes down to knowledge and ethics. Integrity must be a part of the relationship. I understand trust takes time, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to prove myself.”

O’Neal’s Antiques built a reputation for unique estate and high quality pieces. “Aunt Shirley has been known to say ‘we sell high quality jewelry at affordable prices’ and I couldn‘t agree more. Showing inventory that I know I can stand behind and believe in makes the whole process much more enjoyable. I’m blessed to be able to show such a fine collection of pieces my aunt has built over the years.”

Steven offers showings by appointment at O’Neal’s Antiques in Laurel, DE