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In Memoriam: Lee Elliott, Long Island Jeweler August 23, 2021 (2 comments)

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Southampton, NY—Lee Elliott, who ran a custom jewelry shop for 56 years, died August 14 after a brief illness. He was 75. Image: Lee and Dori Elliott, via Southampton Patch.com.

Elliott was the proprietor of Lee Jewelers on Jobs Lane in the upscale resort community of Southampton, NY. He specialized in handmade jewelry in 14k and 18k gold, platinum, and sterling silver, with diamonds and gemstones. His daughter, Dori, now 33, grew up in the business and began working in the shop at age 14 until the decline in her father’s health forced the store to close for good on August 1.

Originally a leathersmith and sandal maker in New York City’s famed Greenwich Village in the 1960s, Elliott’s first foray into metal work was when he began crafting belt buckles, a passion that ultimately led him to jewelry-making

A post on the store’s Facebook page was repeated in the store window: “With a very heavy heart we are saddened to announce that this will be our last month in business here at 60 Jobs Lane in Southampton. We thank you for 56 years of support and love. Lee's health has taken a turn and we are not able to sustain the retail location anymore. We are having a MAJOR Closing Sale with everything in the shop up to 50% off as we need to clear out our inventory in order to close our doors by August 1st. PLEASE come down to buy one last piece, tell us a memory, and say goodbye. Dori will be continuing to carry on her father's incredible legacy creating jewelry and finding online and other ways to keep selling Lee Elliot's unique, handmade works of wearable art. Please follow her for future updates. Thank you again for half a century of love, and all Dori has ever known. Love, Lee Jewelers”

"He never really retired; the store and he are dying together," Dori Elliott told the Southampton Patch in an article paying tribute to the business and her father. The family’s poodle Sandy—a shop regular who greeted customers with a snuggle—also died recently. Dori told the Patch the dog “didn't have a will to hang on without the shop or my dad."

"He is my hero," Dori said of her father in the article. "I will carry on his legacy forever through his jewelry — and his artistry, that will live on through me eternally."

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Comments (2):

Dear Dori, I am broken hearted to read of you great loss. Our great loss.

I don’t know if you would remember me. Your father made my wedding ring.

In the late 80’s I walked by your fathers shop and had to buy this ring. The most beautiful ting in the world. I couldn’t afford to buy it
outright big he let me pay for it every month (or two weeks) until paid.

He mailed it to me in Hoboken. Opal broke a couple of times and I sent the ring and opal to your dad. He always fixed it. I sent a scrap of the Caribbean color from a magazine. You helped him pick the opal to put in my ring he told me “my daughter chose this.” I loved it Thank you. That opal also broke but he had written to me on my receipt that it May break but it will never come out. I called you dad little over three years ago that I was sending it with a new stone and I was so happy to talk to him again.

Shortly after my beloved died suddenly. I wear the ring and always have people grab my hand, well pre covid. I asked my niece to tell me what I can leave her. “Your ring” I love you Dori and your father. People look at my Cartier and I say that that’s junk. This ring was made by a master like none other. Lee 201.819.3772.

By Neri Burns on May 19th, 2023 at 10:38pm

Dori,
I first met your father in the late 70’s at the Fall Crafts Fair in Nassau Collisium. He had the most beautiful jewelry there and I could not afford most of it. We had a long conversation and I never forgot him.
After my divorce, I brought him my engagement ring and asked him if he could design a ring from the diamond. He said he would be happy to.
He made the most gorgeous ring and everyone commented on how beautiful it was. I still have and love that ring.
I have since moved from Long Island, but saw that he had passed.
I am so sorry for your loss and the loss of such a great talent. I will always cherish the conversations I had with him.
Fondly,
D

By Donna Stein on Jun 19th, 2023 at 3:42am

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