Avir Jewelry, a fine jewelry store that makes, sells and redesigns jewelry and watches, opened at the Arizona Center earlier this month.
The store, located between Cold Stone Creamery and Sports World, features pieces for both men and women such as watches, necklaces, earrings, brooches, custom designs and more.
The owner, Michael Gulyaev, said he also works with some of the best local designers in downtown Phoenix who are “always offering new designs.”
“We opened (in the Arizona Center) for the traffic it gets. People are more attracted to downtown now,” Gulyaev said.
He added downtown Phoenix is developing and many different types of people are coming to the area, but he pointed out his business has been slow.
“People spend so much money during the holiday season that they slow down after,” he said.
Xochitl Rios, an employee at Mis Amigos Mexican Grill, said she has seen businesses in that spot before, but she is excited to visit Avir Jewelry.
“I’d like to check out the varieties and what styles they have,” Rios said.
Gulyaev has been involved in the jewelry business for about ten years. He said he first got into jewelry when he came to the United States from Russia at age 28. Gulyaev started working with jewelry in Cleveland, Ohio, then opened his own business in Moon Valley, Arizona called Best Jewelry.
Gulyaev said Avir is the Hebrew translation of the word ‘air’ and that he designed his logo for this store to read both ways.
“I have been into symbolism for a long time because jewelry is often a symbol,” Gulyaev said.
Gulyaev’s coworker, Jama Gul, also came from Russia. She said she got involved with Avir Jewelry because she has loved jewelry ever since she was a child, “like every young girl.”
“I used to work with stones, and I still like to,” Gul said. She also said she enjoys the creativity that comes from working with the different stones and metals.
Gul’s niece, health science senior Julietta Shapiro, said she loves the store because the jewelry is 100 percent real.
“I feel like all jewelry is different and they have something for everyone,” she said.
She also said one of her favorite things about the store is that Gul makes custom rings for people.
“I really love it, I even buy my jewelry from them,” she said.
Health science sophomore Mary Pleshtiyev said she enjoys visiting the store. She said she likes that the store offers a variety of pieces and she usually gets everything she needs in terms of jewelry.
“I like to grab unique products from them,” Pleshtiyev said.
She visited the store at its old location as well, but prefers the new one.
“I think it is a great location that really exposes them,” she said.
Beyond prospering, with which Gil agreed, Gulyaev said he would like to “be able to serve people the best way possible and in the way they deserve.”
Gulyaev said he has a real passion for jewelry and said he believes that everyone has a unique style that says something about him or her.
“It is all a reflection of your view of the world,” Gulyaev said. “Jewelry is your vision of showing others who you are.”
Contact the reporter at alexandria.conrad@asu.edu
