CHESHIRE – Although Achiq Designs has been in town since 2016, the Peruvian jewelry store is easy to miss in a small square on South Main Street.
“It’s a hidden gem,” says Fabiola Giguere, owner and founder of Achiq Designs.
Giguere came to the United States from Lima, Peru, 31 years ago at the age of 21 with a great ambition to reach her full potential in the United States of America.
Two years after moving to Connecticut, she opened her first company, Limpiex Cleaning in Hamden, which provides commercial cleaning services for office buildings, hospitals and other medical facilities. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Albertus Magnus College.
Giguere still dreamed of opening a jewelry store. She began traveling to jewelry conventions like Jewelers of America in New York and Jewelers International Showcase in Miami to display and sell her pieces.
After a few years, Giguere got tired of traveling to jewelry fairs and wanted to settle down and find a place to showcase her work.
In December 2016 she opened Achiq Designs, where she incorporates her Peruvian culture into her jewelry, often with Peruvian silver. Achiq means “bright” in Quechua, the Inca language.
Her son Francisco Pierre helped her run the company after graduating from Albertus Magnus College with a degree in information technology in 2016.
“… I went headlong into the business,” said Pierre. “It was great to see how she creates pieces and I am always impressed with her designs.”
Once Giguere has completed a design, she sends it to artisans in Peru, where the product is finished. It also works with US suppliers of diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires.
“I love it because I feel like I am giving back to my community back home in Peru by working with them on these pieces,” said Giguere.
Every Peruvian stone has a different meaning and story behind it. Pink Opal is a soothing light pink and means love. The Indian opal is named after the Andes and represents prosperity. Chrysocolla is a deep green gemstone that means empowerment.
“Many women like to buy chrysocolla because they want to feel empowered,” said Giguere.
Jennifer Cutrali has been a customer since the store opened.
“I wear something from Achiq Designs every day,” she says. “Every time I go there, Fabi has a story to tell about how she designed the piece and handcrafted it in Peru.”
Cutrali also recommended the store to family and friends.
Giguere says their mission is to bring a great experience to every customer, be it in person or online.
“When customers order online, I make sure that the packaging is nice so that when they are opened they are happy with their purchase,” says Giguere.
Giguere encourages individuals never to give up their dreams because with perseverance they can become a reality.
“Everything takes time and having a business is difficult, but never impossible,” said Giguere.
Achiq Designs is located at 1081 S Main St. in the Country Plaza. It is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please visit www.achiqdesigns.com for more information.