buy jewellery 25 years after they first opened Solomon's the jewellers, but now they have the children and grandchildren of their original client base as patrons.

The owners of the independent Front Street shop say the key to their success over the past three decades is the care with which they treat their customers.

On the eve of their silver anniversary next week Mr. Porter said: "As long as there is love and romance in the world, we will be here to look after you.'' Mr. Porter and Mr. Somersall have sold thousands upon thousands of engagement rings, followed by wedding rings and anniversary jewellery, building up a loyal repeat custom with tourists and locals alike.

Recently he had a customer in the door who had been in the shop many years ago to buy two $115 rings. This year he had returned to buy a pair of $60,000 earrings and has been back every year with his wife and bought some piece of jewellery, and sometimes even calls to have pieces sent to New York.

"I remember he said to me that I gave him as much attention for buying the $115 rings as I did for the $60,000 earrings. But that is what we try to do, to treat everyone the same,'' said Mr. Porter.

The shop opened its doors on December 6, 1975 -- two days later than scheduled.

Mr. Somersall had wanted to open on December 4 -- his aunt's birthday and his mother's wedding anniversary. But a plane strike on Air Canada meant that their showcases were stuck hundreds of miles away, and they had to wait until it was over.

The original shop was in Washington Mall, where the health food store is today, where they stayed for two years. In their second year they took over the premises in Front Street where the are still located today.

Despite two recessions and tough competition, they have managed to survive and prosper in Hamilton.

Mr. Porter said: "We have people who come back and they pull out their wallets or pockets and there is a card, ten years old. Or they still have the leather pouches the jewellery came in with our name in it. It is this kind of repeat custom that we rely on.

"And we have a good local base, which is essential in this day and age. One of the things we decided when we opened is that everything in the shop has to be genuine and we decided we did not want a lot of stores.

"We have a dedication to quality which I believe has been essential to our success.'' The shop now sells jewellery worth from $10 to $100,000, Mr. Porter stresses it has something in every price range, with emphasis on the quality of the Jewellers turn 25 From December 6, as part of the celebrations the shop is having for its 25th anniversary, they are hosting an in-store promotion which allows every customer who spends $250 or more automatic entry into a draw. The prize is a gift certificate worth $10,000 for Solomon's. One ticket will be issued for every $250 spent.

Mr. Porter said: "The prize draw is our way of saying thank you to our customers -- we know whoever wins the $10,000 gift certificate is going to be absolutely thrilled with it and will find just the piece they're looking for.'' Silver lining: Allan Porter (R) and Llewellyn Somersall, who run Solomon's independent jewellery store on Front Street, in Hamilton, will next week celebrate their 25th anniversary.