Amindo Cristiani, an emigrant from Italy, opened A. Cristiani Jeweler in Bronx, NY in the 1930's. A trained watch maker, Amindo taught his son, Michael (Mike), the watch and clock trade. Mike began his own career with Bulova Watch Company, and later was assigned to Midland, TX as a bombsight technician during World War II. After the war, Mike opened Cristiani's Jewelers in Midland in 1969.
Like generations before, Mike's son, David, grew up in the family business. During college, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M and graduated with an accounting degree. Later, he moved to Houston as the branch manager of a mortgage company. There, he met and married Carlene Patton, a UT graduate. In the mid-1970's, the oil boom created a growing economy in West Texas, so David returned to Midland to help his father with the family business. David and Carlene then had two daughters, Courtney and Paige. In 1993, upon Mike's retirement, David purchased the business in Midland. In the spring of 2005, David and Carlene opened a second location in Austin, TX, which is an appointment-only store. David commutes between the Midland and Austin locations, spending time in both stores every week. David's daughters, Courtney and Paige, now both work in the family business, managing the Austin location and the marketing and advertising initiatives. This local business truly is a family affair!
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