Every year, we salute the U.S. jewelers who have shut over the past year—our version of the Oscar “in memoriam” reel.

Below are the names of brick-and-mortar jewelry stores, listed by state, that have either closed their doors or announced they would close in 2022. It doesn’t include every store that closed, just the ones that we found information on. This roster is based on information from local news sources and social media posts.

Just as every store is different, every closing is different. In some cases, the jewelers are ending their physical presence, but may continue as a private or online jeweler. There’s usually added context in the accompanying links—but if there’s something you think we should know, send me an email, and we’ll add it to the listing.

Why are these stores closing? The most frequent answer owners gave is they had a good run, but they’re “tired” and have no one to pass the store on to. Some said business had slowed, or their area of town had slowed. Yet, many more reported a COVID-era boost: One even said he’s calling it quits because things were too busy, and he couldn’t find good help. In two cases, jewelers cited being victims of a crime as a reason for the closure.

No matter why they’re leaving, it’s bittersweet to see to say goodbye to so many good jewelers. Let’s lift a glass of post–New Year’s cheer to:

 

ALABAMA

Mike’s Fine Jewelry & Music Shop, Birmingham (Source)

 

ARIZONA

Raskin’s Jewelers, Prescott (Source)

 

ARKANSAS

Roberson’s Fine Jewelry, Little Rock (Source)

White’s & Co. Jewelry, Rogers (Source)

 

CALIFORNIA

American Jewelry Co., Bakersfield (Source)

Edwards Jewelers, Modesto (Source)

Firefall Jewelers, Valley Springs (Source)

Grand Jewelers, Rancho Cucamonga (Source)

Margaret Elizabeth, San Francisco (Source)

Royal Jewelers, Newport Beach (Source)

Siegel’s Jewelry, Paso Robles (Source)

 

COLORADO

Gusterman Silversmiths, Denver (Source)

 

CONNECTICUT

Beadworks, Norwalk (Source)

 

FLORIDA

Frazier Jewelers, Jacksonville (Source)

Warrington Jewelers, Pensacola (Source)

 

GEORGIA

Casella Jewelers, Augusta (Source)

Ned Cash Jewelers, Brunswick (Source)

Starblaze Jewelers, Tucker (Source)

 

IDAHO

Norman Jewelers, Caldwell (Source)

 

ILLINOIS

AB Lauer Jewelers, Springfield (Source)

Bruce Jewelers, Princeton (Source)

Reichman Jewelers, Oak Lawn (Source)

Sandberg Jewelers, Skokie (Source)

 

INDIANA

The Diamond Galleria, Evansville (Source)

Steffen’s Jewelry, Rensselaer (Source)

Victor Settle Jewelry, Bloomington (Source)

 

KENTUCKY

Hefner’s Jewelers, Coal Run Village (Source)

The Jewel Box, Louisville (Source)

Moore Jewelry, Louisville (Source)

 

LOUISIANA

Klutts Jewelers and Designers of Morgan City, Morgan City (Source)

 

MAINE

Gem Lounge Jewelry & Artisan Boutique, Raymond (Source)

L.Tardif Jeweler, Waterville (Source)

Maine Jewelry and Art, Bangor (Source)

Stars Fine Jewelry, Damariscotta (Source)

 

MASSACHUSETTS

Crown Jewelers, Pittsfield (Source)

Joel Bagnal Goldsmiths & Jewelers, Wellesley (Source)

Menard Jewelers, Whitman (Source)

Robert E. Guertin Jeweler, Sandwich (Source)

 

MICHIGAN

Austin & Warburton, Ann Arbor (Source)

Dearborn Jewelers, Plymouth (Source)

Delta Diamond Setters & Jewelers, Plymouth (Source)

Martinek’s Jewelry, Traverse City (Source)

Russell and Ballard Jewelers, Wyoming (Source)

 

MINNESOTA

Joel B. Sherburne Jewelers, White Bear Lake (Source)

 

MONTANA

L’Or Custom Jewelers, Kalispell (Source)

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Alie’s Jewelry, Dover (Source)

 

NEW JERSEY

Rose City Jewelers/Gemologists, Madison (Source)

 

NEW YORK

Birzon Jewelers, Buffalo (Source)

The Mexican Shack, Somers (Source)

 

NORTH CAROLINA

Starnes Jewelers, Albemarle (Source)

Epic Times Watch and Jewelry Store, Charlotte (Source)

Goldcrafting by Phillips & Co., Hendersonville (Source)

 

NORTH DAKOTA

Knowles Jewelry, Bismarck (Source)

 

OHIO

Leva Jewelry, Bellaire (Source)

Buchards Jewelers, Berea (Source)

Wiford Jewelers, Sidney (Source)

 

OREGON

Margulis Jewelers, Portland (Source)

Stephen Vincent Jewelers, Beaverton (Source)

 

PENNSYLVANIA

Beerbower Jewelers, Hollidaysburg (Source)

Schiffman’s Jewelers, Pittsburgh (Source)

Versant Fine Jewelry Boutique, Bethlehem (Source)

 

SOUTH CAROLINA

Shirley’s Jewelers, Conway (Source)

 

TENNESSEE

Brasfield’s Diamond Jewelers, Ripley (Source)

Moon’s Jewelry, Paris (Source)

 

TEXAS

Anderson Brothers Jewelers, Lubbock (Source)

Camillo’s Fine Jewelry, Conroe (Source)

Moretti’s Fine Jewelry, San Antonio (Source)

 

VIRGINIA

Carter’s Fine Jewelers and Gifts, Rocky Mount (Source)

D.B. Bowles Jewelers, Suffolk (Source)

Facets Fine Jewelry, Arlington (Source)

H.L. Lang Jewelers, Staunton (Source)

 

WASHINGTON

Martin’s Jewelers, Walla Walla (Source)

Supply Chain, Seattle (Source)

 

WEST VIRGINIA

McCormick Jewelers, Charleston (Source)

 

WISCONSIN

The Gift Itself, Green Bay (Source)

Schalla Jeweler, West Bend (Source)

 

Sadly, this list includes several businesses that had been open for a century or more. On the positive side, last year marked the first time in the last decade that the number of stores opening roughly equaled the number of stores closing. That shows that, while the industry is consolidating, it still attracts newcomers.

Reading the articles above, it’s striking how many jewelers say they’ll miss their job. “Being in business is like an addiction, being an entrepreneur, you are betting on yourself, a little like a gambler,” said one. “It was a rush.”

Another said: “Can you imagine a nicer place to work? It’s been wonderful for us.”

But these articles also show that they will be missed by their communities. Many of these jewelers didn’t just sell merchandise. They boosted local charities. They provided jobs and opportunities. They served and supported generations of families. While their owners often prospered, they gave back a lot too.

To quote Clarence from It’s a Wonderful Life, speaking to archetypal small businessperson George Bailey: “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

Some of these closures will leave an awful hole in their communities. Let’s make a New Year’s resolution to support neighborhood stores and small businesses. They need us, and, as the past few years have showed, we need them.

Here’s to all the jewelers who have served their communities, as well as those who continue to do so. And here’s to a happy, safe, and healthy 2023.

Photo courtesy of Roberson’s Fine Jewelry

Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine