Three-quarters of the Trassare family show off the treasure box they are featuring throughout October in celebration of their 30th anniversary. Some lucky entrant will receive a pair of diamond earrings at month's end. Shown from left are Tom and Kate Trassare and their son Daniel. Photo by: Marcia Oxford

It's an excellent sign of success when downtown Jackson businesses celebrate a long life. That's the case with Trassare Jewelers, which is marking its 30 years with discounts of 25 to 50 percent throughout the store through October.

Look for discounts on dazzling diamonds, glimmering colored gemstones and jewelry from rings and earrings to bracelets and necklaces. While you're there, be sure to fill out an entry form to pop in the shop's treasure chest. At the end of the month, one lucky person will win a pair of diamond earrings.

"The greatest joy in this business is that it's fun," said Tom Trassare, one of the owners. "We're selling products that people enjoy buying, whether it's for gifts or for themselves."

His wife Kate echoes his pleasure, but from a different perspective.

"For me, it's the people of Amador County. They're so much fun to wait on. It makes doing what we do enjoyable every day," she said.

Their son Daniel shares his parents' enthusiasm. "I like dealing with the people who come in, all the customers we've come to know over the years and all the new people who come in."

Although Tom's mother, Santa, was not available for this interview, many people would agree she is the family's ambassador.

The Trassares moved to Jackson in 1978 from San Juan Capistrano where Santa and her husband, Anthony, operated a jewelry store for almost 10 years. Tom said the move was driven by the family's agreement they wanted to own the building where they operated their shop. Landing in Jackson, they bought the former Dispatch building owned by Dan Barnett and began setting up their diverse collection at 38 Main St. where they continue operating.

A casual division of labor makes for smooth operation. Tom designs the custom jewelry found here, including the unique gold nugget jewelry; he also repairs watches and the attractive clocks that chime along one wall. Kate handles sales and displays and obviously enjoys both as she talks about how ammonite fossils are transformed by Daniel or Tom into stunning necklace charms. Ammonite, when polished becomes ammalite, which reveals the rich, deep opalescent colors below the fossil surface. Daniel presides over his selection of collectable American coins and currency dating to the 1800s as well as more contemporary knives coveted by collectors.

The gold nugget jewelry is a special delight, as the pieces reflect the femininity of the women who choose these for adornment. The nuggets, Kate said, are all from Amador, and usually amount to an ounce or so.

Trassare's Jewelers is open Monday through Saturday.