Capital Region’s leading, family-owned jeweler recently completed renovations and upgrades to local coin stores
ALBANY, N.Y. – Northeastern Fine Jewelry, the Capital Region’s destination for fine jewelry for more than four decades, has taken a walk back in time to revisit its numismatic origins with the purchase and reinvention of Olde Saratoga Coin at 1593 Central Avenue in Colonie and 385 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.
“Coins have always been one of my passions and how we got our start in business back in 1980,” said Ray Bleser, owner of Northeastern Fine Jewelry. “Our original store was Northeastern Coin Gallery in Schenectady. For me, returning to my roots is deeply nostalgic, intensely gratifying and truly exciting.”
In its heyday, Northeastern Coin Gallery carried an inventory of hard-to-find currency, jewelry and estate pieces. In 1985, the business was reincorporated as Northeastern Fine Jewelry, which has evolved into one of the Capital Region’s leading, independently owned jewelers, featuring an extensive selection of world-renowned brands, diamonds, engagement rings, wedding bands, watches and estate items.
Northeastern Fine Jewelry will continue to operate under its own banner with three locations in Albany, Schenectady and Glens Falls.
Olde Saratoga Coin & Jewelry has been rebranded and updated to reflect the addition of a wide selection of estate pieces and jewelry to supplement its expansive inventory of coins, precious metals, sterling silver, paper money, pocket watches and fine Swiss watches at its two locations in Colonie and Saratoga Springs.
In 2022, Olde Saratoga Coin & Jewelry at 1593 Central Avenue in Colonie underwent extensive upgrades and renovations while its sister store in Saratoga Springs was relocated from 219 Broadway to an all-new storefront at 385 Broadway in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs.
The enhanced storefronts offer an upgraded experience for guests to sell their precious metals, watches and estate jewelry for their highest market value, and to explore the substantial collection of gold, silver, silver dollars, coins, bullion, watches, diamonds and estate jewelry available for purchase.
The synergies between the two businesses also means that Northeastern Fine Jewelry is able to feature an expanded estate jewelry collection while Olde Saratoga Coin & Jewelry can showcase a larger selection of jewelry.
Olde Saratoga Coin & Jewelry was founded in 1988, only three years after Bleser changed the focus and name of his original coin store to Northeastern Fine Jewelry. Nearly four decades later, Bleser has come full circle with the addition of two well-established Capital Region coin stores that, much like Northeastern Fine Jewelry, are known for quality, expertise, fair prices and an extensive selection of inventory.
“When we initially turned our focus to fine jewelry back in 1985 it was to meet the growing demand of the times. But my love for coins has never waned,” Bleser said. “Coin collecting will never go out of style, nor will buying or selling vintage and estate jewelry, gold and silver jewelry or diamonds and gemstones from any era.”
Northeastern Fine Jewelry has three locations: 1575 Western Avenue in Albany; 1607 Union Street in Schenectady; 167 Glen Street in Glens Falls; and online at NEFJ.com.
Olde Saratoga Coin & Jewelry has two locations: 1593 Central Avenue in Colonie; 385 Broadway in Saratoga Springs; and online at oldesaratogacoinandjewelry.com.
About Northeastern Fine Jewelry
Established in 1985, Northeastern Fine Jewelry is the largest independently owned jeweler in the Capital Region. Northeastern Fine Jewelry is recognized as one of the Leading Jewelers of the World® and has been voted “Best Jeweler” of the Capital Region numerous times due to its reputation for quality jewelry and customer service as well as its charitable and civic involvement.
About Olde Saratoga Coin & Jewelry
Established in 1988, Olde Saratoga Coin & Jewelry is the most trusted buyer and seller of gold, silver, coins, bullion, paper money, fine Swiss watches, sterling flatware and jewelry in the Capital Region.