MEET TAMPABAY’S INVETERATE TREASURE HUNTERS

One of the shared traits that first drew Jeffrey and Katrina Hess together wasa mutual love of research. They lovedtohold avintagepiece of artorjewelry, or an engraved pocket watchintheir hands, and dig intoits provenance. Thelessinitially known about it, the better.When wasitmade?Who created it?Who owned it?What or who does the engraving referto? Finding the answers to such questions washalf the fun forthem, and that sense of discovery still drives them. They love what theydoand learn something newevery day, because it’salways fascinating.

Old Northeast Jewelers and its sister company HessFine Art arefamily-owned businesses, very involved in the community. They have invested 40 yearsinthe Tampa Baycommunitythrough Jeffrey and Katrina Hess, who areheavily involved in area charities. They supportlocal law enforcement and military venues, were adjunct professorsatSt. PetersburgCollege and areactiveinRotary —hosting overa dozenexchangestudents from around the world in the past 20 years.

HessFine Auctions internationally buys and sells prestigious watchcollections and expensivepocket watches, including Rolex, PatekPhilippe, and more. Katrina Hessis Chief of Operations forHessFine Auctions and one of three GIA GraduateGemologists on staff.She brings to the company manyyearsofexpertise in gemstones and other jewels. Jeff and Katrina have lectured at the American SocietyofAppraisersand the International SocietyofAppraisers, museums and societies acrossthe country,JCK at the request of eBay, the Florida AuctioneersAssociation, and the National AuctioneersAssociation.

Even though their mom-and-pop store has grownand is nowinternationally known, theystill consider themselves a neighborhood store. Whether it’s Old Northeast Jewelers in St. Petersburgand Tampa, HessFine Art in St. Petersburgor their DuberTime luxury watchdistribution business, the Hesses’ surprisingly downto-earth businesspractices belie their half abillion in online sales.

Old Northeast Jewelersprides itself on being long on knowledge, sinceMr. Hess is a noted author; and Mrs. HessisaGraduate Gemologist who founded the Tampa Bay GIA Alumni Association and is alicensed auctioneer.Theytruly understand this business— not just as abusiness, but as an exercise in history.And because of the knowledgethey’vegleaned over many yearsofresearch,you can be sureyou will getthe proper information on your valuable jewelry and antiques.

You’ll find Old Northeast Jewelersand HessFine Artat11314th St. Nin St. Petersburg, as well as their shop in Hyde Park. Call them at (727)896-0622 or (813) 875-3935.