About Howard

I am proud to call Auburn, Alabama my hometown. Our family moved here in the Summer of 1964. I have made many friends and built a great customer base over the years. I met my wife Annettee when she was in school at Auburn University. We were married in 1988 and have two wonderful daughters. 

In the Spring of 1974, at the ripe old age of 18, I was hired by the founder of Ware Jewelers in Auburn. Lamar M. Ware, Jr., He hired me as an apprentice bench jeweler.  My initial training came through many years of work experience under his guidance and the guidance of several “old school” bench jewelers. I also had some formal training at two regional jewelry repair and diamond setting schools.  Once I mastered the techniques of stone setting I began working in a managerial capacity training several other bench jewelers. In just a few years I had become the “old school” jeweler and helped in the hiring and training of apprentices..  

In 1985 I resigned from Ware’s and pursued my dream of opening my own business. I operated a trade shop in the spare bedroom in my house and did jewelry repair and manufacturing for the retail jewelry trade. My customers were area and regional jewelry store owners, mainly Mom and Pop stores, needing the services of a jeweler to size their rings, set their diamonds, and repair their jewelry. I also did some manufacturing and production work for others in the jewelry trade. Later that year, my business quickly expanded requiring me to get a commercial location for insurance reasons.  

I cherish each and every customer and treat them the way I would want to be treated. I have owned my own business since 1985. One my most powerful statements I can make is that I do not advertise. Except for the few folks who see my sign and wander in; all my customers are here on referrals. Because word-of-mouth advertising is the most effective form of advertising, I have to give everyone the royal treatment. I work hard for your business and strive to get a referral. Update: After too many years of not having a website I have made the leap! This website is new and I would appreciate any helpful feedback.  

In 1987 I sold my first diamond. It was then that my business then shifted away from trade repair to loose diamonds and fine diamond jewelry sales. With the advent of this brand new technology called “The Internet” I was able to get my diamond customers selections of stones that fit their exact, specific requests. These purchases come from a huge pool of sellers creating a super-efficient supply and demand market. It’s Economics 101. I was the first jeweler in the area to join this closed intranet trade organization of diamond dealers, colored stone dealers, watch dealers, and jewelry dealers. I was now able to access millions of dollars of diamonds, watches, and diamond jewelry for my customers. After operating with little to no “on hand” inventory, I created a “niche” jewelry business by being my customers’ private jeweler. I realized that my customers did not mind waiting a short time and getting exactly what they wanted versus buying only what was available from showcase jewelers. After all, when my customers are purchasing important heirloom pieces and fine diamond jewelry they deserve to have their expectations met or exceeded. Back then and continuing today, thanks to the internet and overnight shipping, this method of doing business is the keystone of my business model today. For a typical customer looking at a diamond purchase I will ship in a large enough selection of diamonds, specific to their quality and cost expectations.  

From there we meet to make a decision - in one place under the same environment from different sources. The only efficient way to compare diamonds to one another, is in the same light at the same time. It’s impossible to compare store-to-store because of the many variables in lighting and environment. This is not the only way we fulfill customer requests.  I do keep an interesting inventory on hand for immediate needs. I also ship in a really special assortment of finished jewelry ready for delivery at Christmas. From my shop here I can also modify existing jewelry, and create and design custom jewelry that dreams are made of! Coming soon this website will offer an e-commerce section where you can shop for incredible fine jewelry from the convenience of your computer!  

I have been a diamond setter and a bench jeweler in Auburn for almost 50 years! I still have my full shop in my business here. There is not a more experienced working jeweler in our area. I have been doing this before most of my engagement ring customers were even born! Many jewelers have the “we-do-it-all-here” philosophy, but I think differently. My goal is to make sure my customers have the best quality and value, period. My experience in the business has taught me that my customers are more concerned with the quality and value of their jewelry than any other aspect. In the jewelry trade, just like in any trade there are specialists. I personally hand craft, design, or assemble the majority of the finished custom pieces done here. However in the interest of a superior final product, I outsource some of the specialized fabrication techniques needed to produce a top quality piece of fine jewelry.  Make no mistake, I personally oversee and approve every aspect of anything I decide to turn over to my team of specialists.. It’s in the best interest of my customers to produce an excellent piece of fine jewelry. I use only the best craftsmen and master goldsmiths in the country. Outsourcing to world class specialists when necessary produces a superior product. I am more interested in producing a superior product than making the statement that “I do it all here”. If your a jack of all trades - you’re a master of none. Nothing is more important than the final quality of your heirloom fine jewelry.