People Of Levittown: Neshaminy Grad Passionate About Jewelry

Jerry Tsolakis has been creating custom jewelry since he was a child.

Now, he has turned his lifelong passion into a business.

Tsolakis recently opened Gerald’s Jewelers at 4017 Veterans Highway in Bristol Township’s Levittown section.

The strip mall-based shop features all sorts of fine jewelry, much of it custom made by Tsolakis.

“I make most of my own jewelry. People say I want with this with this on top,” he said as he pointed at some of the custom rings in a display case.

Tsolakis said his attention to detail and customization sets him apart from chain jewelry stores in the region.

During the busy holiday shopping season, Tsolakis said he was able to go in the back of the shop and make alterations to jewelry for customers while they waited.

“You’re not going to find that at a lot of places,” he said.

Tsolakis, who grew up in Levittown’s Forsythia Gate section,  learned much of his skills while working with his father at his Bensalem jewelry shop. Tsolakis doesn’t just have the skills, he has had extensive schooling in several different fields.

Before starting Gerald’s Jewelers, Tsolakis had a stint as a mechanic at several shops including Team Toyota and Peruzzi Nissan. During his career, he earned the designation of a ASE Certified Master Mechanic.

“Although I enjoyed being in the automotive industry, I found myself drawn to the family business. It’s something I was fortunate enough to learn while spending time with my father, and grandfather, and work at throughout my life,” Tsolakis said.

The Neshaminy High School graduate majored in diamond grading at the Gemological Institute of America in New York City. He graduated in 2008 and came back to Bucks County to perfect his craft.

“When it came time to open my own shop, I already knew that Levittown was going to be the location. I wanted to stay in the community that has been home, and around the friends, family and people who have been loyal clients since the beginning of my career,” he said.

What started as a hobby for Tsolakis is now his livelihood.