Jessops Store Names Manager

Joe Meli was recently named manager of Jessops Jewelers’ new La Jolla store on Prospect Street. He will oversee the sales staff, merchandising, personnel and expenses.

Meli joined Jessops 8 1/2 years ago after working two years as a sales associate at C. D. Peacocks, a Chicago jewelry store. Before that, he worked at Rogers Holland’s Jewelers, also in Chicago.

Although his resume seems to indicate a passion for the jewelry business, Meli said selling jewelry was originally just a way of making a living while he attended law school.

“I knew I wanted to work with people, and, while I would have eventually been doing that in law, I had that chance immediately by working in jewelry,” the 28-year-old Chicago native said.

Through his tenure at Jessops, Meli has been involved in all facets of the jewelry business, including selling, design and repair. He said he’s had some interesting design orders along the way, including a request from a young woman for a bikini chain soldered around her waist.

A member and registered jeweler with the American Gemological Society, Meli is also certified by the Gemological Institute of America in diamonds and diamond grading. Jessops Jewelers, in San Diego County for more than 40 years, has seven San Diego-area stores and one in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.