Creating Beautiful Keepsakes Since 1970
By Clementina Verge
Photos by Ryan Lavine
Intricate diamond necklaces or rugged cord bracelets—jewelry captures attention, reflects individuality, and often carries emotional significance.
“More than an accessory, jewelry is a reminder, a keeper of meaning and memory, a way to express yourself and your story, ” reflects James Michael Murphy, designer and managing partner at Onyx in Woodbury. “From generation to generation, it stands the test of time and can be enjoyed in its original state or repurposed into a new piece.”
Legacy and repurposing have been woven into the Onyx story since 1970, when Zenaida Perez founded it after she fled Cuba. Grandson Daniel Sanchez spent his childhood at her side and, after briefly attending law school, “passion for jewelry and Onyx” propelled him to return and assume leadership in 2005.
“As I reflect on my life and the history of Onyx, a story that comes to mind is one told by a decades-long client,” Sanchez reminisces.
She remembers walking into the original Onyx in Waterbury in the mid 1980s and, while browsing, she heard a little voice asking, “Can I help you?” She turned toward the showcase, but didn’t see anyone. Again, the little voice asked, “Can I help you?” This time, she leaned over the displays to see a boy not yet tall enough to reach the counter looking up at her. That little boy was Sanchez.
“Hearing her tell this story made me smile, and retelling it makes me smile to this day,” he notes. “I guess I always had this business in my blood. I wasn’t old enough to know it then, but something about the jewelry store was inherently appealing: the beauty, glamor, and artistry captivated my young imagination. I ended up where I was meant to be, and I am so lucky to be able to do what I love and to have taken Onyx to a new level.”
“Our aesthetic certainly sets us apart,” says Murphy, who joined Onyx in 2013, further propelling it from a tiny storefront to a show-stopping space. “Everyone is vocally taken by its design, feeling as though we have brought Manhattan to the Hills.”
In a way, they did. Before settling in Connecticut, he and Sanchez resided in New York City, bringing its sophisticated residential allure into the store with inviting fireplace seating and beautiful artwork. The jewelry is similarly striking.
“Custom design and redesign is our calling card,” states Murphy, who has designed thousands of engagement rings alone.
“Great collections say something about you,” he remarks, encouraging clients to value pieces beyond trendiness and material status. “If I laid out my jewelry, walked away, and you didn’t know anything about me, I’d like to think it tells a story of who I am, and serves as a window into what I appreciate and where I’ve been.”
Moving forward, Onyx remains committed to meticulous craftsmanship and meaningful customer relationships.
“We love being part of the experience, the memory,” says Murphy. “All I’ve ever wanted is to leave this world more beautiful than I found it, and I hope I’m spreading beauty through jewelry making its way into someone’s life.”—onyxjewelers.com
