Marv Chony makes special occasions shine.

Learning a craft by the book is one thing. Learning from an expert is another. Marv Chony has done both.

Marv began working for long-time local jeweller Walter Brown in 1973 and is grateful he was able to learn a lot from his mentor. A Graduate Jeweller designation followed in 1976, furthering a job that lasted 18 years. Marv Chony Jewellers Ltd. opened in 1990 with the goal of providing a customer experience unlike any other jewellery store.

Buying jewellery differs from any other purchase because it is such an emotional investment. People will buy jewellery to mark an important event in the present like an engagement, an anniversary, a birthday.

“It celebrates a happy time!” Marv exclaims.

Jewellery can also provide a valued connection to the past through items that were important to a mother, grandmother, spouse or other family member.

“It can be generational,” he says of creating something new out of such old treasures.

Marv Chony Jewellers sells a full range of quality jewellery featuring diamonds, gold, silver and watches, including Thunder Bay’s largest variety of the latest engagement ring designs.

They also repair jewellery, but Marv sees his main advantage as the ability to create custom jewellery.

“When something ‘off the rack’ isn’t what you want, we have the only jewellery CAD (computer-assisted design) program in Thunder Bay so we can make your idea into a reality,” he says.

Marv and his staff of four maintain a positive outlook in the knowledge that adapting to what the customer wants is far better accomplished by an independent business than by national chain stores.

“We’re not driven by sales targets and goals set by some head office,” Marv says, “so we can offer a far more relaxed and comfortable environment where you can talk to knowledgeable staff about what you would like to create.”

Marv is surprised by the number of former engagement and wedding ring customers who return with their sons and daughters to have rings created for their own special occasions.

“That kind of relationship over the years is the most gratifying and complimentary,” he says.