Long-Time CMC Jewelry Store Closes

After more than 10 years of occupying a prime location in the California Market Center lobby, Eclipse Jewelry Designs Co. is closing up shop at the end of February.

Many CMC tenants were saddened by the news. Lisa Owers is the West Coast showroom manager for Swarovski. Alazraki designed her wedding ring in 2004. “They had fair prices. Their business was based on customer service, and they were friendly,” Owers said.

After closing Eclipse, the Alazrakis will embark on a six-month trip to Asia and Europe to buy materials for Raquel’s jewelry line, called Raquel B. Designs.

When they return to Los Angeles, they will expand the e-commerce boutique for www.raquelbdesigns.com and decide whether they want to open another store.

Owners Raquel and Raphael Alazraki first opened their CMC store in 1996 on the CMC’s second floor. They moved in 1999 when a space opened up on the main floor.

The Alazrakis have spent their careers in jewelry sales and design. They emigrated from Argentina to the United States in 1971. For many years, Raphael helped run a jewelry wholesale business in Beverly Hills.

Raphael said he regretted leaving the CMC. “The building was like a big family. We feel like we are leaving our family,” he said.—Andrew Asch