Founded in 2023 by longtime industry veterans who felt called back to the craft they loved, Famille was born not from ambition, but from conviction. After decades working together at the former family-owned Betteridge, the founding partners found themselves at a crossroads when the business was sold. Retirement, it turned out, did not suit them.
“We felt we could create a new company with core values based on an environment we thrived in before,” the team explains. “Curating jewelry for our clients’ requests, built on relationships — that became FAMILLE.”
The name itself is intentional. Famille means family — and in many ways, that is the firm’s defining philosophy. “We formed lifelong relationships and friendships in the community and the industry. For each of us, the family experience was the cornerstone of building FAMILLE.”
Today, that sense of continuity is visible not only in the jewelry cases, but in the clientele. The firm now serves the grandchildren of longtime clients — a fact the team shares with pride.
“Trust and a sense of family are what matter most. It is not all about the next big sale. Relationships are the key to our success.”
A Calling, Not a Career
Step inside the boutique and it becomes clear: this is not a cookie-cutter retail experience. The merchandising is personal. The service is intentional. The décor is warm rather than corporate.
“For most stores it is just a job,” the team says. “For us, it is a calling.”
At the helm is a deeply experienced group: Warren Lagerloef, Kimberly LaDu, Randy LaPointe, Betsy Welke, Theresa Sutton, and Andrew Handschin, supported by a network of master jewelers and craftspeople. Their combined decades in the industry inform every acquisition, every appraisal, every stone selected.
Their expertise spans both fine and estate jewelry — a rare dual fluency that gives clients access to the best of both worlds.
“We love jewelry,” they say simply. Warren often jokes, “I’ve never met a good piece of jewelry I didn’t like.” The remark may be lighthearted, but the passion behind it is unmistakable.
That passion extends across eras. Famille’s hearts may “skip a beat” for exceptional Art Deco and 1960s pieces, though Georgian jewels and contemporary masterpieces are equally welcome. If pressed to name a particular favorite, the answer is immediate: Raymond Yard. Warren even contributed, in a small way, to the Raymond Yard book and personally collects the designer’s pieces.
The boutique also exclusively represents several storied American houses in Fairfield County, including Verdura, Cicada, and Seaman Schepps — brands chosen not for trend appeal, but for enduring craftsmanship.
“Fine, Rare & Unique,” they emphasize. “Fashion goes in and out of style. Classic, well-made jewelry never goes out of vogue.”
Craftsmanship that Stands the Test of Time
In an era of lab-grown stones and rapid production cycles, Famille remains unwavering in its standards.
“You can’t replace great workmanship. It stands the test of time,” the team explains. All diamonds and colored stones are certified, and provenance matters deeply. “We want each client to fall in love with each stone and piece of jewelry they buy.”
The Art of Custom
Perhaps nowhere is Famille’s philosophy more evident than in its custom design process.
Each project begins with conversation and education. Warren frequently meets with clients personally, often hand-sketching and painting designs as original works of art before a single stone is set. Once approved, stones are sourced and the piece is entrusted to one of several master jewelers or established houses for execution.
“Custom design is a highly personalized process with limitless possibilities,” the team explains. The result is jewelry that feels not merely purchased, but authored.
That reverence for craftsmanship extends beyond the showcase. Service — in the broadest sense — is central to the brand’s identity.
Whether handling repairs, restorations, or formal appraisals, the team approaches each piece with care and discretion. Clients are never without their jewelry longer than necessary. Each item is treated as deeply personal — because it is.
Why Brick-and-Mortar Still Matters
In a digital marketplace driven by convenience and transaction speed, Famille deliberately leans into something slower — and more human.
“When the seed was planted to create FAMILLE, a big question was whether a small brick-and-mortar shop was still viable,” they reflect. “We firmly believe the answer is yes.”
Jewelry, they argue, is inherently emotional. It requires trust, conversation, and connection — elements no algorithm can replicate.
“The emotional resonance and intrinsic value of jewelry are elements the digital world and transaction-focused corporations can never truly provide.”
In Greenwich and across Fairfield County’s collection of charming towns, that philosophy has found its audience. Not because of wealth, the team is quick to note — but because of warmth.
“We take care of each client with respect and kindness regardless of price range or need.”
And perhaps that is the true luxury: not merely the brilliance of a diamond or the rarity of an estate find, but the enduring human relationships that surround them.
At Famille, jewelry is curated. Family is built.
