Joan Berlow-Smith, left, and Samuel Posin, owners of The Jeweled Bird, examine the quality of gemstones at the store.

WHEELING — The Jeweled Bird shop in Woodsdale may have a wood cage of scaffolding and support around it these days, but that hasn’t stopped business from continuing to take flight there.

The Jeweled Bird has a permanent location inside a former church at 136 Edgwood St., though it has been closed in recent months for needed renovations. The shop is expected to remain closed until probably summer, according to owner Samuel Posin.

Meanwhile, Posin and his partner, Joan Berlow-Smith, continue to do business by appointment at a temporary location nearby at 75 Heiskell Ave.

“We have been keeping busy, and selling a heck of a lot of engagement rings,” he said. “We are taking care of repairs, and dealing with people from out of town. You would be amazed. We meet with people every day of the week. Sundays are probably our biggest days. That is when I meet with people. I meet with them whenever it is convenient for them.”

Posin is a third-generation jeweler with about a half-century of experience in the business.

“For me, it’s about helping people get what they want at a comfortable price,” he said. “Our industry has changed so much in recent years, and goes through ups and downs.”

For example, lab diamonds are now quite popular.

“I try to explain to people the difference, and make sure that I am competitive (in pricing),” Posin said. “I try to become an expert in whatever I am selling so I can represent things well, but things have changed so much in the last 20 years.”

Two decades ago, there were seven jewelry stores in downtown Wheeling, he noted. There used to be five at the Ohio Valley Mall, and today there are just two.

“Economics has to do with how people buy jewelry and it has to do with trends,” he continued. “Men don’t wear as much jewelry as they used to. People want more custom things, too.

“In the valley, we do like the ‘meat and potatoes’ — the basics. People are looking for good value, but they also want something different to express themselves.”

But Posin gets a lot of business from those living outside the area.

“Ironically, the farther away they are, the more they come here,” he said. “The people who live three blocks away don’t pay as much attention. A lot of our business comes from Glen Dale and Moundsville, St. Clairsville, Pittsburgh and even Iowa.

“It’s our reputation. They’ve never set foot in the store, but people call me up and tell me their fiancee was in the store and really wants them to check the store out. We’re not the biggest, but we’re good at what we do.”

Posin noted his policy is to be transparent and take the needed time with customers.

“It’s important to educate the buyer so they know what they are buying — especially when it comes to engagement rings,” he said. “Men hopefully don’t go through it more than once, and you try to explain to them what they should do.

“The difference is women are sentimental, and men aren’t as much. You have to explain things to them. If you buy a ring and it’s too small, it just takes all the umph out of it if they can’t put the ring on.”

Posin’s grandfather, also named Samuel Posin, started the business in 1923. The younger Posin noted that his grandfather had a solid reputation and it is something he strives to maintain.

“He was originally from Russia, and it was a lot of working-class clientele that he had,” Posin said. “To this day, we work with everybody but we work with working class people.”

Posin began working in the business with his father and brother when he was in high school and college, but he had plans to attend law school.

“When I was about to graduate (undergraduate) school, my dad made me a proposition to come into the family business,” he said. “I did, and I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve never worked a day in my life. The worst day is a happy one because I enjoy what I am doing.”