Photos Andy Calvert
At the heart of every wedding ceremony lies a simple yet lasting symbol—the wedding ring. More than just a piece of jewelry, the ring represents an unbroken circle of love, commitment, and shared dreams. It’s a promise worn close, a daily reminder of the vows exchanged, and the life built together. For over 75 years, Greene’s Jewelers, a family-owned gem in downtown Rome, has been crafting these symbols of eternal love with a blend of artistry, heritage, and heartfelt service.
The story of Greene’s Jewelers is not just about beautiful rings and sparkling gemstones; it’s a tale of unwavering faith in a community and the community’s reciprocal trust. As owner Elaine Abercrombie recounts, “Downtown Rome in the 20s and 30s was always bustling. When Riverbend Mall opened and started filling in all their businesses in 1974, downtown was a ghost town. In that same year, my grandparents went from renting a little building to buying this one. That’s how much faith they had in Romans to support our business, that we needed to give them a bigger place to come into.”
This leap of faith during questionable times speaks volumes about Greene’s commitment to Rome. It’s a testament to their belief that just as they trusted in their community, the community would, in turn, trust them with their most precious moments—including the selection of wedding jewelry.
Trust is the cornerstone of Greene’s Jewelers’ enduring success. “You have to have trust when selecting a jeweler,” Abercrombie says. “It’s my grandparent’s name on the front of that door, and I will never do anything to tarnish that name.” This dedication to integrity is evident in every aspect of their business, from the quality of their jewelry to their customer service.
At Greene’s, every piece is chosen with meticulous care. “We don’t select anything that we wouldn’t select for our own selves,” Abercrombie states. This personal touch extends to their custom design services, where creativity meets craftsmanship. “We have hundreds of loose gemstones, so we do a lot of design work. We can pretty much make something for every taste, and we rarely repeat a design.”
For couples embarking on their journey to find the perfect wedding rings, Greene’s will meet you where you are. “We start off with just talking about what the customer is thinking about,” Abercrombie explains. “Some come in knowing exactly what cut and style they want, but most people come in without a clue of what they want, so we will walk them through their options.”
This approach reflects the store’s philosophy of treating everyone who walks through their doors not as customers, but as friends. It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply with the community, fostering a sense of belonging and trust that goes beyond mere transactions. “My grandparents and my family have always been volunteers. We’re still doing that today. We support a lot of organizations. We try not to tell anyone no,” says Abercrombie. “This is who we are, this is where we live, these are the people that we serve, these are our friends and family.”
In many ways, Greene’s Jewelers mirrors the very essence of a wedding ring—a symbol of enduring commitment, trust, and love. Just as couples trust Greene’s to provide the perfect rings for their special day, Greene’s has consistently demonstrated its trust in the community of Rome. When buying from Greene’s, as couples prepare to say “I do,” they can take comfort in knowing that their wedding rings come from a place deeply rooted in the community.
