The Team
Who We Are
David and Gaybeth Phelps
Proprietors
David Phelps - Goldsmith
Dave started in the jewelry business in 1972 with his father and mother. Their first store was a tent on the side of Loon Mountain up in New Hampshire. They did that every summer and during the winter their first real business location was the old Mad River Canoe Company. They were there for a few years and then moved to a little bit nicer location just down the road. In 1977 he joined the Army and flew helicopters for the first cavalry division. When he got out, his parents had moved to Texas so he went to join them and their jewelry store in Plano. He worked for them until they retired in 1986. In 1997 he moved to North Carolina and started working out of his home creating high-end custom jewelry for retail jewelry stores. Then in 2004 one of his clients was retiring so they negotiated the lease for his jewelry shop and we have been here ever since.
Gaybeth Phelps - Gemologist
Gaybeth is a Jersey girl and spent her childhood summers growing up in West Poland, Maine. She met Dave at Nathanial Hawthorne College in New Hampshire where she majored in fine arts. She practiced nursing while Dave served in the military. After opening their store in Durham, Gaybeth became a Graduate Gemologist through the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad California. She is currently a Certified Senior Member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. In her free time she enjoys gardening, painting watercolors, and knitting.
John Phelps
Goldsmith Manager
John moved here from Texas after graduating from the University of Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. He is a third generation gold smith following in his father’s and grandfather’s shoes. He’s been working at the bench for the past almost 20 years! When you want something done right, he’s your man. John is a perfectionist and one of the best stone setters you’ll meet! He has two cats at home who are a couple of characters!
Regina Blanco
Sales Manager
Regina attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and received several certificates in Fashion Merchandising as well as being a GIA Gemologist. Who better to advise our customers when it comes to jewelry design? She’s been involved in the jewelry industry for over twenty years and feels very lucky to be doing something she loves. We feel lucky to have her sense of class and style as part of our team. Her other loves are her girls, cats, and estate/antique jewelry.
Christine Schachtner
Virtual Office Manger / Bookkeeper
Christine attended three and a half years at Framingham State University in Massachusetts for Business and Accounting. She joined John David Jewelers in 2020 with over 20 years of office management and bookkeeping experience. After one short year with us, Christine and her husband, Ron, built a house and moved to South Carolina. We did not want to let her go, so we didn't! Christine works remotely and continues to manage our books to help keep things running smoothly at John David Jewelers. In her spare time, Christine received her NREMT (National Registered EMT), NCPT (National Certified Phlebotomy Technician) and is now pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work degree. She also works part-time as a medical insurance biller and at a local hospital emergency room. In her downtime, Christine enjoys cuddles with her three Boston Terriers.
Sammy
Customer Relations Ambassador
Sammy, the Pomeranian, joined John David Jewelers in April of 2021. Though Sammy has no previous customer facing experience, he took to the job like a pro! He is eager to greet you upon your arrival. Of course, Sammy's favorite place is in his mama's arms, but he is always happy to take any pets and rubs you have to offer.
