Trinity: Your Jeweler Next Door

By Emily King

Caulin Grant, a Sewickley native, met his wife Paris in high school, when he was introduced to her by a teammate on his soccer team. They dated for a while, went to college, and then reunited in 2017, finally marrying in June of 2023. Paris and Caulin’s love is pure and uncomplicated. Luckily, so was picking out engagement and wedding rings. With all the difficult decisions that need to be made for a wedding, choosing Trinity Jewelers came easily. 

Caulin knew Trinity’s sales manager, Amy (Passavant) D’Ambrosio, through a few degrees of separation, much like most people in Pittsburgh find they know each other. Amy’s father was the pastor of a local church, one that Caulin happened to work at for several years. He had met Amy briefly and knew of Trinity’s reputation as an honest and values-driven family business. Their connection was created through word-of-mouth, which is how most customers tend to hear about Trinity.

If you’ve ever driven down 279 and have seen a small and charming white building with green trim that doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the suburban area, you know where Trinity Jewelers is. The building on Mt. Nebo Road was once a one-room schoolhouse, built in the late 1880s. Its charming structure, complete with cupola that once held a bell, housed several businesses throughout the years. The building is surrounded by large windows that climb almost to the ceiling, providing the perfect natural light to let diamonds sparkle.

Trinity Jewelers would take over the building in the late 90’s, but that wasn’t the beginning of their story. The story begins with owner Mark Helgerman’s father, who was a diamond setter in the Clark building in downtown Pittsburgh. Initially, Mark set diamonds like his father, but he also branched out by carrying some merchandise. 

When Mark decided to relocate the business to better accommodate his family life, it was a bold move. At this time, it was customary to go downtown to shop for jewelry, and many doubted how successful a jewelry store could be in the suburbs, especially one relocating from the city’s Jewelry District to an old schoolhouse. But Mark’s priority was his family, and moving the business to the suburbs meant cutting his commute time and spending more time with his family.

In the new building, Mark had space to carry more inventory and Trinity became a full-fledged jewelry store. They also do repairs and appraisals by appointment. Fifty years after Trinity Jewelers was founded, business is thriving in the cozy historic building on Mt. Nebo Road. The business’s dedication to prioritizing family, faith, honesty, and expertise remains the same. 

During their first visit to Trinity to look at their rings, Paris and Caulin were met with warm welcomes and congratulations. They were led through the first room, which displays gold jewelry, precious gemstones, pearls, and estate jewelry, and into another room solely dedicated to diamonds and wedding bands. Natural light poured through the tall windows of the cozy building, bouncing off the myriad of diamonds in their cases. 

Amy guided them through the process of selecting a ring. The store has dozens of rings on display, but for those who can’t find exactly what they want, Trinity offers full customization services. The couple met with Zach, Trinity’s customization specialist. Paris had a specific idea of what she wanted, and with Zach’s expertise, she was able to get the ring she dreamed of. With hand drawings, CAD software, 3D-printed models, and interchangeable magnetic settings, she could see and feel exactly what her ring would look like.

Trinity offers both natural and lab-grown diamonds, which have become popular in recent years. Lab-grown diamonds are completely indistinguishable from natural diamonds. They are identical in chemical composition, physical properties, and optical characteristics. Diamond labs can replicate the natural conditions that produce diamonds, so though the growing process is different, the results are identical. Mark personally travels abroad to source their natural diamonds, ensuring quality and ethical standards. 

Caulin was surprised by how much he enjoyed the process. 

“It didn’t feel like shopping, it felt like celebrating,” he explained. It wasn’t just about buying rings, it was about creating a memory.

This isn’t by accident; it’s instilled in Trinity’s core values to make selecting jewelry a milestone event. Jewelry tells a story, whether it’s a diamond engagement ring, a first communion gold cross, or a Mother’s Day ring adorned with the birth stones of her children. Trinity sells jewelry that can be passed down to generations, connecting family for decades to come. 

Interestingly, Trinity’s employees do not work on commission. Everyone works toward the same goal: helping customers find the perfect piece of jewelry, regardless of budget. For customers, this means no pushy salespeople, just honest recommendations and genuine guidance. They work together like a family, helping each other and lending their skills to one another. Their different skill sets complement each other, rather than compete. 

Most of the employees have been at Trinity for ten years or more; there is very little turnover. When you bring your jewelry in to be cleaned or inspected (which is all done in-house), you’re dealing with the same people every time. The relationship between Trinity’s team and its customers is built on trust. Trinity’s goal isn’t to make a sale, it’s to make a customer for life who comes back time and again to celebrate life’s milestones with them. 

“We have a philosophy of meeting people where they are,” says Amy. They treat every purchase, no matter the price, with the same care and excitement. Trinity isn’t just a jewelry store; it’s a part of people’s lives, through every stage and celebration.

Paris and Caulin have settled into married life, and every time they look down at their wedding rings, they remember the precious vows they made together.  That is Trinity’s ambition: to celebrate love, family, and the connections we make over a lifetime. In a fast-paced, digital world, small family jewelers like Trinity keep traditions alive and remind us that some experiences are best shared face-to-face.

Trinity Jewelers

412-367-7131

647 Mt. Nebo Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15237

www.trinityjewelers.com