Peter Feliciano’s story began in Far Rockaway, Queens, where the salty air of the Atlantic Ocean mixed with the grit of the streets. It was a neighborhood where survival meant navigating racial tensions, forging alliances, and learning the unwritten rules of the block.
Like many of his peers, Feliciano found solace in the summers spent at the beach, where the waves washed away the struggles of the school year. It was here, amidst the sand and the surf, that he formed the bonds that would carry him through the trials to come.
Listen and Subscribe to the NYS Podcast on the Following Platforms
Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart Radio
As he entered his teenage years, Feliciano quickly learned the importance of appearance and reputation. He became adept at the art of the hustle in a world where rocking the latest styles could make you a king. His father, a barber by day and a loan shark by night, imparted lessons in discretion and opportunism that would serve him well in the coming years.
But the streets of Far Rockaway had a gravitational pull that was hard to escape. Feliciano watched as the drug trade consumed his neighborhood, offering a siren song of fast money and faster living. He knew he needed an exit strategy and found it in the most unlikely of places: the United States Marine Corps.
Boot camp was a crucible, breaking down the boy from Queens and reforging him into a man of discipline and resilience. Here, Feliciano learned one of the most important lessons of his life: to play the game and not take things personally.
Okinawa, Japan, would test this lesson when the military stationed him there. Far from the familiar corners of Far Rockaway, Feliciano immersed himself in a new culture, befriending locals and even rubbing elbows with the notorious Yakuza. His charm and adaptability opened doors that would have remained closed to most, and he found himself moving in circles he had never dreamed of.
But it was in the world of precious stones that Peter indeed found his calling—diamonds, to be exact. Starting at the bottom, he worked his way up the ranks of the notoriously cutthroat industry, absorbing knowledge from every facet of the trade. He learned to spot flaws in a stone, negotiate with suppliers, and build the kind of relationships that are the actual currency of the business.
Today, Feliciano is a transformed man who owns a successful jewelry line: Peter Feliciano Fine Jewelry. But he still remembers the lessons of his youth. He approaches every client with the same humility and hunger that drove him to success, understanding that trust is earned, not given.
In many ways, Peter Feliciano’s story is the story of New York itself—a tale of reinvention, grit and grind, and the endless pursuit of that elusive American Dream. From the beaches of Far Rockaway to the heart of the Empire State Building, he has navigated the city’s many worlds, always staying true to himself and the lessons he learned.
It’s a journey that has taken him from the bottom to the top, from the streets to the suites. But for Feliciano, he measures his success not in carats or dollars but in the relationships he has cultivated the lives he’s touched, and the legacy he’s leaving. In a city of a million stories, his shines as bright as the gems he sells—a testament to the enduring power of perseverance and the invincible spirit of New York.
About Peter Feliciano
Peter Feliciano has proudly been in the jewelry industry for over a quarter-century. He built his career in NYC’s Diamond District and as COO of the well-established and successfully respected Empire Diamond in the Empire State Building. Peter’s fascination and expertise when it comes to all things baubly and sparkly has prompted him and his wife Elaine, an outstanding and well-rounded retail entrepreneur herself with over 20 years of experience, to launch Peter Feliciano Fine Jewelry. Their launch of the “Original Puerto Rico Hoop Earrings,” a piece very dear to their hearts, is the first in the exclusive Latin Lux collection. They are both very excited to share all of these fabulous one-of-a-kind pieces.
~~~
We would love to hear your thoughts on the episode. Leave a comment on the Apple Podcast and don’t forget to rate the show.
