Meet The Team

Ronald W. Arends Email Ronald W. Arends » Principal- owner Ron Sr. represents the second generation of the family business. Ron joined his father in 1963 when the company was located in the jewelry district of Newark, NJ. For over 49 years he has designed and fabricated custom designs in platinum, gold, and silver. He is a master model maker, carving wax models by hand, and is also an experienced hand engraver. Ron studied diamonds and attained his Graduate Diamond degree in 1972 from the Gemological Institute of America in New York city.	Ronald J. Arends Email Ronald J. Arends » Principal- owner Ron Jr., along with his brother Chris, represent the third generation of their family business. Ron began coming to work with his father during the summers since he was 10 years old, and formally began his career after graduating high school in 1991. Ron then studied diamonds and attained his Graduate Diamond degree in 2002 from the Gemological Institute of America in New York City. Ron is a jewelry designer and models in CAD/CAM, and is also a bench jeweler working in platinum, gold, and silver.
Christopher J. Arends, G.G. Email Christopher J. Arends, G.G. » Principal- owner Chris along with his brother Ron represent the third generation of their family's business. He joined the business after completing a Graduate Degree in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2001. He then continued his studies in gemology and in 2007 attained his Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) degree from the Gemological Institute of America in New York City. Chris is a designer of jewelry and specializes in CAD/CAM modeling and fabrication.	Jessica Daehnke Email Jessica Daehnke » Sales Manager Jessica began her career in the jewelry industry in 1997. Starting out with a corporate jewelry company at a location in Arizona, she has diversified her jewelry experience through opportunities working with jewelers in North Carolina and several different companies in New Jersey. She has earned her A.J.P. (Accredited Jewelry Professional) degree through G.I.A., and has had specialized training regarding timepieces. Jessica gladly joined the ranks of the Aires Jewelers family in April of 2010, and looks forward to enhancing her knowledge as well as sharing her experience each and every day!
David D. Grossman, G.G. Email David D. Grossman, G.G. » Appraiser/Sales David began his career in the jewelry trade over 35 years ago. In 1974 he started fine jewelry manufacturing in Philadelphia, PA. In 1982 David studied at the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, California where he attained his Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) degree. His expertise includes fine jewelry fabrication, jewelry design, sales and service. David also specializes in insurance appraisals and Estate appraisal valuations. He has been a member of the Aires team since 1996.	Gilbert Rubio Email Gilbert Rubio » Bench Jeweler Gilbert is a master bench jeweler and craftsman. He began learning his trade in Mexico in 1969 where he and his four brothers represent the 4th generation of bench jewelers in his family. In 1982 Gilbert came to the US and opened his own company, first in Baja, California and then in LA. In 1998 he came to NYC and worked with esteemed designers Christian Bernard and Ippolita. In 2000 he opened GA Rubio Jewelers in East Hanover, NJ. In 2007 Gilbert joined the Aires team and specializes in fine jewelry fabrication and diamond and gemstone setting.
Lynn Holden Email Lynn Holden » Sales Associate Lynn began her career in retail jewelry sales in 2001 working in Morristown, NJ. Prior to her start in jewelry sales Lynn owned and operated a small specialty food business. Lynn has worked in fine jewelry and watch sales for 10 years and joined the Aires team in 2011. Lynn specializes in diamond engagement and wedding ring sales, as well as diamond and color stone fashion jewelry.	Linda Heller Email Linda Heller » Sales Associate A native of Boston, Mass, Linda worked in her first jewelry store in 1969. After relocating to New Jersey, and being a client of Aires, she joined the company in 1999 on the other side of the sales counter! Linda works in every aspect of fine jewelry and watch sales as well as customer service and repair.
Christine Lambariello Email Christine Lambariello » Sales Associate Christine is the newest addition to the Aires team! She graduated Randolph High School this past spring and is currently attending Rutgers University in Newark. She is studying Geology with a concentration in Business, and plans to attend the Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist program.