Before Joey “Giuseppe” Salomone designed a necklace of his own, he was buying estate jewelry by the pound and sorting through it one piece at a time. What began as a side project during his years as an ICU nurse has grown into Giuseppe’s, a Midwest family business with a collection of original jewelry. In this draft Q&A, Joey reflects on the road from repairing secondhand pieces to releasing designs of his own.
How did you get started selling jewelry?
I started selling on eBay in 2020. I was working as an ICU nurse during COVID, and I needed something to occupy my mind when I came home. I’d buy estate jewelry by the pound, sort through it, and repair individual pieces I thought somebody would enjoy wearing again. Along the way, I met several jewelry distributors and started building relationships. At the time, I was just enjoying the work. I didn’t know it would lead to designing my own pieces.
Was there a moment when you started thinking about design?
A trip to Italy changed the way I looked at jewelry. I bought several handmade pieces from artisans outside Tuscany who didn’t speak English. Trying to work out the prices and make sure we were talking about the same amount of money was pretty funny. But what stayed with me was getting to buy those pieces from the people who made them. I came home thinking about what I might make if I started with an idea of my own.
What influences can people see in the new collection?
Gucci is a big influence, especially in the men’s and women’s Tricolore necklaces. I’ve always liked how confidently Gucci uses color and how a simple combination can become recognizable. For Tricolore, I wanted to use the green, white, and red of the Italian flag and put my own initials beneath them. Those colors are tied to my heritage, and the GS initials make it personal. Seeing people wear a piece I designed myself is one of the things I’m most excited about with this release.
You still work as an emergency room nurse. What does running a family business look like around that?
Giuseppe’s started part-time, and I still work in the ER. My wife handles a lot of the marketing and the work behind the scenes. My daughters like to help bag or wrap jewelry and get orders ready. Sometimes they just hang out in the shop with me and listen to music while I work. Those are some of my favorite afternoons. An order might be the reason I’m in the shop, but the time with my girls is what I remember.
What would success look like for Giuseppe’s?
I don’t expect Giuseppe’s to become a huge company or make millions of dollars. I’d be happy knowing that even a small group of people found something here they love and reach for often. If I can give them a well-made piece at a price that feels fair, and share a little of the Italian culture and style that inspired it, that’s enough for me.
