Tom Arnold has been designing wearable art for six decades—the past two at Facets Fine Jewelry, the Lee Heights shop he owns and runs with his wife, Suzanne. He’s quick to downplay his accomplishments, but when pressed he divulges that some of his favorite pieces include a ring designed for John Wayne and a pendant for Jane Russell. “I once had a piece in the Smithsonian,” he adds, “and I can also build Easter Eggs—though not as good as Fabergé.”
Like the man who runs it, Facets isn’t a flashy store, but it’s garnered quite the loyal following. “We make pieces that people can wear all day and then out to an event,” Arnold says. “If you can wear something even with jeans, you’ll get more value out of it.” About 20 percent of the items for sale are Arnold’s own creations, while the rest of the merchandise comes from small, independent designers and estate sales.
A third-generation jeweler, Arnold works exclusively in gold and platinum, often with stones, to create modern pieces that are one-of-a-kind. “I do a lot of Art Deco designs,” he says, “intersecting lines and circles.” He does custom pieces on commission and can also replicate, restore and repair estate jewelry. www.facetsfinejewelry.com