Associate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
Northeastern Fine Jewelry Adds Industry Vet to Retail Team
Dennis Connelly, the former owner and founder of Connelly’s Diamond Gallery, will join its Albany store.

Albany, N.Y.--Northeastern Fine Jewelry announced it has added longtime jeweler Dennis Connelly to its retail team.
He will join the sales team at the retailer’s Albany location.
Connelly has more than two decades of experience in the jewelry industry, including 22 years as the founder and owner of Connelly’s Diamond Gallery, which was located in Latham, N.Y. and has closed its doors after more than two decades of business.
Northeastern said it will continue to honor all Connelly’s Diamond Gallery warranties and complete full inspections at its Albany store.
“I have known Dennis for 15 years, and we are very pleased to welcome him to our team,” Northeastern Fine Jewelry President Ray Bleser said. “His industry experience and knowledge will offer our customers an unparalleled level of service and expertise. He will play an important role as we continue to offer the highest quality of jewelry for all occasions to Capital Region residents.”
Northeastern Fine Jewelry has stores in Schenectady, Albany, Glen Falls and Manhattan, New York.
The Albany location recently unveiled a number of upgrades, including an 800-square foot expansion of both the showroom and offices. The $2 million project also gave the store a new facade and updated landscape design.
The 5,000-square-foot store features a variety of well-known jewelry brands, including Cartier, Breitling, Tacori, Hearts on Fire, Lagos, Simon G, John Hardy, Roberto Coin, IWC and Mikimoto, among others.
Connelly said, “I’m thrilled to become an integral part of the Northeastern Fine Jewelry team during this exciting period of expansion for such a well-respected, family-owned, independent jeweler. It is especially exciting to join a business which shares the values upon which Connelly’s Diamond Gallery was founded—to make it possible for every shopper to purchase the finest quality jewelry.
“I look forward to continuing to provide a superior level of customer service to shoppers and encourage our longtime clients to visit me at Northeastern Fine Jewelry.”
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