Travel to the U.S.
Our story begins when Andrew's father, affectionately known as Papa, began his journey to America from Poland. Papa fled Poland as a young man and served in the Polish Division of the Royal Air Force in World War II. It was there in England where he met his beautiful bride Margaret. As they began their life together, they felt a calling in their hearts to journey to the United States. Upon immigrating to the US, Papa joined the United States Army Air Corps as a machinist. Using the GI Bill, he went to school to learn watchmaking, and in 1949, opened his first store in New York.
New York
Papa took to watchmaking with passion and his experience as a meticulous machinist proved to be a benefit. He enjoyed creating and repairing timepieces with all of their delicate and intricate inner workings. As the business grew, Papa knew he was ready to take it to the next level and he entered the world of fine jewelry. With the help of his family, he began designing and creating unique pieces of jewelry that quickly caught the attention of local customers. Over time, the Zychowski family's focus shifted from just watches to both watches and jewelry. It was from that moment they decided to open their first jewelry store in New York City.
New Jersey
Over time, Papa's single store grew and expanded into New Jersey, where Papa moved with his wife, Margaret, and their four children. Andrew, the eldest son, grew up in the business, helping stock displays and clean the cases from a young age. As he grew older, he took on more responsibilities, including small repairs and changing of watch batteries, helping to refining his talents. After 26 years of running the business, Papa handed over the keys into the skillful and trustworthy hands of his son. Andrew, along with his wife, Beth, began to raise their own three children and continue the legacy that was entrusted to them.
Arizona
In the early 2000's, Andrew and Beth decided to close the successful New Jersey location in order to move their family across the country to sunny Arizona. Upon first arriving in Anthem, Andrew and Beth instantly fell in love with the small town feel of their new community. Opening a simple office, they set out to be by appointment only for jewelry sales and services. Their passion, care and excellence was quickly noticed and embraced within the Anthem community and proved that it was time to grow yet again. Within a year of opening their office, they expanded into their full-service jewelry store in the Anthem Marketplace that has been welcoming customers into the greater Andrew Z Diamonds family since 2005.
The Third Generation
Growing up, Scott saw what it meant to work hard and carry on what the generations before him had set in motion, a family legacy built to last. He could not suppress the entrepreneurial call he felt in his heart to carry on the family business. In 2009, he joined his parents at the store in and in 2019, Scott and his wife Jessi took ownership of the store. They now run it full time with the help of their wonderful staff who they consider to be members of the family. Scott and Jessi deeply value their family history and enjoy sharing it with their children, the next generation. "Our story is still forming as the years go by, and we would love for you to be a part of it!"