Treasure Hunt: Merchant Giving Away Fine Jewelry

If you find a bag containing a dazzling piece of jewelry during your daily travels next week, it's yours. Really.

Devon Fine Jewelry is giving away 30 pieces of jewelry during its "Finders Keepers" promotion, in honor of the Franklin Avenue business' 30th anniversary. Owner Nancy Schuring will be placing bags at various locations in Wyckoff and surrounding communities, each containing a ring, necklace, bracelet, earrings and the like.

"This is really, truly a giveaway," Schuring said. "We're casting it to the wind."

Lucky recipients will not receive costume jewelry or trinkets. The offerings are of considerable quality, ranging from items worth a few hundred dollars to a platinum sapphire and diamond ring worth $3,000. In all, Devon will be giving away more than $25,000 in inventory.

"We tried to give a variety... just mix it up. It's stuff we can spare," she said.

Of course, the locations of the bags are a well-guarded secret. Schuring said she will not be hiding them, but they will be found in unusual locations—perhaps a market, sporting game, the library, a salon, etc. Each bag will contain a note describing the item and its value, with a request to call Devon and detail how the gift was found.

Six bags will be placed around Wyckoff. Devon staff also will drop off the gifts in Midland Park, Franklin Lakes, Waldwick, Allendale, Mahwah, Ramsey and Oakland.

Schuring said that while "Finders Keepers" will likely draw interest to the store, she didn't want to force people into the shop with a redeemable note. Instead, the gift is a "thank you" to the community.

"I believe in good karma," she said. "I thought, let's give back to the people. Let's just have some fun."

Schuring started the business with "$50, selling out of my home," 30 years ago. Devon has been in Wyckoff since 1990, and she counts a regular clientele who she says are drawn to her shop's "unusual" pieces, extensive collection of gemstones and custom designs. 

"It's been a fantastic 30 years in business, and we appreciate the loyalty of Wyckoff and the surrounding communities," she said in a release.

Although gems and jewels are her passion, Schuring isn't merely a jeweler. Devon's charitable efforts reach to Madagascar, where the Devon Foundation is funding scholarships for local residents to attend the Institute of Gemology of Madagascar.

She said she and Devon vice president Debbie Swinney "saw the spirit of the people" on a visit to the "incredibly gem-rich country." However, she was inspired to help when she recognized that "there's not a lot of education for their resources." By soliciting donations, Devon is able to fund local residents' schooling.

Madagascar may be a long way from Wyckoff, but Devon's success also is a long way from Schuring's roots as an independent jeweler.

"I don't think you ever know what's ahead. You just start down a path."

She is excited for this week's promotion and promises that the gift bags will be placed where only adults are likely to find them. In addition to the platinum ring, there will be an 18-karat white gold diamond ring, worth $1,000; an 18-karat white gold necklace with pink tourmaline flowers, worth $1,700; a 14-karat yellow gold bracelet with blue sapphires and diamonds, worth $1,300; pearl earrings with pink tourmaline gems, worth $1,100; and various items worth several hundred dollars.

"It's going to be fun. We're going to do this in stealth."