To know Jewelers of America, you need to know the people behind JA Member companies -- your trusted local jewelers and designers who uphold the highest business standards in the jewelry industry. Today, we spotlight Alexis Balentine of Balentine & Co. Jewelers in Bossier City, LA, which has been a member of Jewelers of America since 2015. Let’s get to know Alexis a little better.

I am Alexis Balentine. I am Jewelers of America. #IamJA #WeAreJA

Balentine & Co. Jewelers was founded in: 1996

I am a proud JA Member because... it adds another level of credibility for us. If you're not credible as a jeweler, you have nothing to stand on.

My favorite part of my career is: I love the relationships! We have the privilege of playing a role in many of the important, life altering moments of a client's life, and we help them commemorate those moments with pieces that can be passed down from one generation to the next. We get to watch people fall in love, get married, have babies, graduate, mourn the loss of loved ones, and so much more. I think that's priceless!

My favorite work memory: I have several, but my favorite come from my childhood. My dad opened the store when I was 6 years old. Though it wasn't my "work" then, I often went to the shop with him. One Christmas season, I had a cold and was quarantined to the office and fell asleep under my Dad's desk. When I woke up, my Dad had Christmas candy, tootsie rolls, and coloring books for me. He told me Santa, who he does a lot of work for, came in while I was sleeping, and when he found out I wasn't feeling well, left all kinds of goodies for me! I was so excited, and for years, I thought my Dad was Santa's jeweler! 

What accreditations do you hold: I have my Bachelor's degree in marketing, and I'll be enrolling in GIA's online gemology courses soon. I've been around jewelry all my life! My dad graduated from the jewelry school that used to be in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He's been working as a jeweler for almost 40 years now!

My favorite personal piece of jewelry or timepiece: Wow, that's tough. I have a beautiful cameo pendant that belonged to my Nana. I don't wear it often, but it's probably my most treasured piece. And, of course, my engagement ring.

One word that describes me is: Trustworthy. "If you don't know jewelry, know you're Jeweler!"

Morning person or night owl? Night owl! Though I wish I was a morning person.

My guilty pleasure: Pearls! And pie. There's never a time that pie or pearls aren't appropriate.

My #1 bucket list vacation destination: I've always wanted to backpack around Ireland.

Diamonds or gemstones? Why ask such an impossible question?!

My most used emoji is

The most embarrassing fashion trend I used to rock: The seashell choker necklace

If I have to sing karaoke, I would pick: Michael Jackson's "Thriller"

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