Gemology, Custom Design and Polo: Meet Elizabeth Mandros of Mystique
Elizabeth Mandros is peering into a glass case when I walk in, and the sun is shining in through the front window adding a beam of light to her face, and the elaborate pieces being showcased. We sit down in front of an impressive display case of diamond rings and I subconsciously adjust my own ring and wedding band – is it time for an upgrade?
“Melanie and I have been in this store (on S. Fairfax Street) since 2018,” she says. “Prior to that we spent 28 years on the Alexandria waterfront, where the million dollar condos now sit at The Strand, across from the boat club. It was lovely, I never wanted to leave, when they were tearing down the place, I said, ‘you’re going to have to get me off that wrecking ball’” she adds jokingly. “But we love it up here. A lot of new clients see us by just walking by.”
Elizabeth is warm, kind and funny. She shares that her gemstone journey began in Belo Horizonte, Brazil while on a trip with her parents. She had purchased a lot of gemstones, but never made it home with them, because, “everyone wanted to buy them.” This sparked her passion and an idea.
Photo Credit: The Scout Guide
“It all started with one little showcase and a desk in 1991. It wasn’t about business…I didn’t have a plan, but it worked. I just created something and it evolved and evolved. And that’s when I realized, wow, this is exactly what I want – I want to create for people. It’s a happy place. When someone goes into a jewelry store, it’s for a beautiful moment, a special occasion, and I get to be part of those moments.”
Elizabeth is a third generation Alexandrian who grew up in Belle Haven and went to St. Agnes. She attended the Gemological Institute of America in Los Angeles and fell in love with the craft. “I wanted to stay out there, I was 20 blocks from the beach, but I missed my family and had to get back home.” Elizabeth thought she was going to be an actress or producer. But she is producing something, she’s producing Mystique. “I like getting in front of people and talking about things I’m passionate about.”
Elizabeth grew up playing tennis, field hockey and lacrosse. “My girlfriend lived in the country and said, ‘let’s take a polo lesson.’ I didn’t know anything about horse riding. And then I became addicted, I loved the sport of it. I’ve never been a great rider, but I figured it out. We have a Mystique team, and this is how I met my fiance who plays with me. Last year, I got into a few accidents, so now I’m taking a break and have become the cheerleader.” The sport of polo is what compelled her move to Middleburg. She was practicing three times a week. “My traffic is cows, and we’re only about an hour and fifteen minutes from Alexandria.”
Her daughter, a student at the College of Charleston is currently studying abroad in London which has also brought her across the pond. Her son is in Alexandria, and lives in the building of Mystique, much closer, making him a welcome guest for dinners in Old Town with her and Melanie.
Jewelry lasts, and she says while some may go out and spend a few thousand on a purse, why not put that money into a nice piece of jewelry that you’ll have forever. And that you can pass down. She encourages women to buy their own nice pieces. Sure gifts from spouses, boyfriends and other family and friends are beautiful sentiments, but embrace the “self-purchase.” You don’t need anyone to buy you flowers – or a nice piece of jewelry. You can do it yourself.
While women make up a large portion of their clients, they also create for men. “I have gotten my fiance, a right-hand ring…because you know, I’m influencing him.”
A truly notable accomplishment is that Mystique has served over three generations. “We have sold the engagement ring to the client who has had children and the engagement ring to their children and the engagement ring to their children. And that referral base is amazing…that’s trust, that’s what builds meaningful client relationships.”
She adds, “I don’t want to be like every other store. We’re here for you, you’re going to see our faces, this is what we do every day. We want you to be happy, because we want you to come back. When you go to a department store, they're not in the service business.”
As we chat, Evon, the “wax carver” clad in full jeweler’s welding mask walks by, and Elizabeth reiterates, “we follow through from beginning to end, every step in the process to make sure it’s getting done right.”
The many services Mystique offers include: education on stones and settings, appraisals (and identifying unknown stones), styling (what ring will go with these earrings?), rhodium plating for your white gold that has lost its luster, and of course, what she loves most of all – custom design. Regarding engagement rings, she says, “I will do whatever’s possible. For custom design, I need at least six weeks. We do have the capabilities of doing some things immediately.”
They also provide free CAD renderings when creating a new piece, “we put it into software, it’s really an art.” For basic repairs from watch batteries to ring sizing, they have a full in-house goldsmith. Consignment is also available, in addition to two big buying events they host twice a year. “We see everything – swords, coins, flatware. We can’t do it everyday, but when we do, it’s a very popular event.”
What’s next? Coming up this weekend, November 10-11 is the Gumuchian trunk show. In December, Mystique is hosting two events: The Estate Jewelry Show and Diamond Jewelry Show on December 1-2, and their Holiday Afternoon Gathering, a sip and see with hors’ d'oeuvres on Saturday, December 8, when couples can make their wish list. But of course you can come in anytime to make your own wish list – or buy it for yourself!
Mystique Jewelers is located at 123 S. Fairfax Street and is open Tuesday through Friday, 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday, 10:30 am to 5 pm. Call for an appointment: (703) 836-1401.
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