Paul Potenza is the co-owner of Design One Jewelers. With a background as a goldsmith, his skills include repairs, creating jewelry, setting diamonds and gemstones, casting jewelry, appraising and all of the practical hands-on experience that comes with being in the jewelry business since 1980. When he was 18, Paul started working for Nobel Jewelers in Clearwater’s Sunshine Mall, one of the first malls in Florida. He studied jewelry making and horology at Gem City College in Illinois and began working a delivery job at Design One Jewelers on Cleveland Street. Today, Paul mostly enjoys the creative aspect.
“When someone comes into the store and they don’t know what they want, the best part is figuring out that puzzle together and helping them feel comfortable with their decisions,” he says. “Jewelry is not simply an object. It helps fulfill a need, a dream, a desire. There is great satisfaction when someone who hasn’t experienced custom design or good old fashioned customer care comes into our store and discovers what that is. When a satisfied customer leaves with anything from a simple repair to a gift for another, it’s great to know that I have been a part of that.”
Design One hasn’t changed all that much since its move to Countryside. Paul has maintained a certain sense of what the original shop had, while incorporating some of the latest techniques and equipment (CAD – Computer Art Design & Laser Welders). One of Paul’s strengths is working with young guys who have never considered a piece of jewelry. Usually one of their first major purchases, is an engagement ring. Paul educates them on how to buy a diamond and he doesn’t push them into something that they aren’t sure about. It’s all about listening to the customers real wants and needs and not just selling them something and moving on.
Roz Potenza married into the jewelry business but it has been a very natural fit. Her artistic tastes range from the sketch pad to the paint brush, from the bolt of fabric to the finished costume. She has been involved in the Arts, in one form or another, for the past thirty years. Marrying Paul meant she was able to take her artistic vision in yet another direction and she began learning how jewelry was created.Roz has been working at Design One since 1995. Back in the day, in order to do a custom design, she carved waxes as starting points for customers to see prior to casting. Now things have changed a great deal and while she still carves waxes, she’s had to submit to the sophistication of computer designed options.
“Sometimes though, the old way is still the best. There is something so cool about hand carving a piece of hard wax (usually in some horrible shade of green or blue) and then see it cast in a precious metal and polished to a high lustre. It’s the most amazing transformation ever.” She has the ability to carve the wax, design a ring from scratch, or restring pearls (one of her favorite activities), and she keeps trying to incorporate technology into Design One. “We are definitely a throwback business, but not in a bad way. We still like to do things in a more simplified form. Call it old fashioned but it works for us and we have thousands of customers who would agree.”
Roz is also an actor and writer in the Tampa Bay area. She was a founding company member and costume designer for the Eckerd Theatre Company at Ruth Eckerd Hall, and is typically found onstage today with Jobsite Theater at the Straz Performing Arts Center.Her greatest attribute is her kindness and patience with customers. She is not your typical salesman. Roz will spend as much time talking about your dogs (or hers) as she will your jewelry. She puts the customer at ease and makes them feel like a friend.
Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Closed Sundays and most Federal and banking holidays.
2547 Countryside Blvd., Suite #4
Clearwater, FL 33761
Design One Jewelers is located in Countryside Centre, at the intersection of Countryside Blvd. and Village Dr.
Take US-19 N to Countryside Blvd., and go east. Countryside Centre will be on the right side of the street, across from Countryside Mall.
We have two designated parking spots for your convenience. Once you park, please walk along the boardwalk next to Jo-To’s and make a right. Our front door is on the lakeside of the boardwalk.
If you would like to send us pictures or other attachments, just let us know in your message above. When we respond to your email, you’ll have an address which you can use to send us your attachments.
We absolutely respect your privacy. Your email and any information sent in it will not be shared with any parties outside of Design One Jewelers without your express consent. We only use your email to communicate with you, and we will not send you any newsletters or any unsolicited email unless you request it. That’s a guarantee.
We absolutely respect your privacy. Your email and any information sent in it will not be shared with any parties outside of Design One Jewelers without your express consent. We only use your email to communicate with you, and we will not send you any newsletters or any unsolicited email unless you request it. That’s a guarantee.
727.797.9059
727.669.4453
Mon – Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat: 10am – 2pm
Sun: Closed
Appointments are available upon request.
We are closed most Federal and banking holidays.
Phone: 727.797.9059
Fax: 727.669.4453
2547 Countryside Blvd., #4
Clearwater, FL 33761
If you would like to send us pictures or other attachments, just let us know in your message above. When we respond to your email, you’ll have an address which you can use to send us your attachments.