IndependentsApr 14, 2023
Fourth Generation of Wesdorp Family Ushered in as New Jewel-Craft OwnersIndependentsApr 17, 2023
Minnesota’s Jay F. Jeweler to Close After 35 Years
The store was a pioneer in the jewelry industry’s shift to CAD/CAM technologies.
Jay F. Jeweler in Apple Valley, Minnesota, is closing as owner Jay Feichtinger, pictured in front of the store, retires.
Apple Valley, Minn.—After more than three decades in business, Jay F. Jeweler is closing its doors.
Owner Jay Feichtinger is retiring and looking forward to his next chapter – spending more time with his family and five grandchildren, preparing to welcome a sixth in August.
For 35 years, the Minnesota jeweler offered its customers fine jewelry and custom designs.
The store prides itself on being one of the first in the Twin Cities, starting in 2007, to use computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology.
“What really kept me so engaged in the business and what benefitted my business so much was the advance in the technologies in the shop,” said Feichtinger. “We embraced it very early.”
Since then, those technologies have been refined and kept up to date within the store, he said.
Related stories will be right here …
Owner Jay Feichtinger is retiring and looking forward to his next chapter – spending more time with his family and five grandchildren, preparing to welcome a sixth in August.
For 35 years, the Minnesota jeweler offered its customers fine jewelry and custom designs.
The store prides itself on being one of the first in the Twin Cities, starting in 2007, to use computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology.
“What really kept me so engaged in the business and what benefitted my business so much was the advance in the technologies in the shop,” said Feichtinger. “We embraced it very early.”
Since then, those technologies have been refined and kept up to date within the store, he said.
Feichtinger’s love of the business began in 1977 with a part-time job at a local jewelry store.
He took some time off after graduating college, but, ultimately, his passion for jewelry led him back to the industry.
He briefly worked wholesale in his basement and opened his own business in 1988, initially as a repair shop.
Over the last three decades, Jay F. Jeweler grew to be a leading retail manufacturer with a staff of trained, professional jewelers.
Jay F. Jewelers owner Jay Feichtinger (in the blue plaid shirt) assists a customer. Following its announcement to close, the store is hosting a "Store Closing" sale, which began April 10.
The store is hosting a “Store Closing” sale, which began April 10 and will likely go on through the end of May as the store completes all remaining custom work, said Feichtinger.
The store’s entire selection will be marked up to 70 percent off.
The sale also will serve as a celebration of Jay F. Jeweler’s legacy. The custom-designed and redesigned pieces created at Jay F. Jeweler have attracted and wowed customers from everywhere, said the company.
The store said it has defined itself through its “unparalleled” customer service, standing by the pillars of honesty, transparency, and loyalty to cultivate a devoted customer base.
“The last 35 years of operating my store and growing with the Apple Valley and surrounding communities has truly been a joy and a labor of love. We’ve been honored to receive support from our amazing customers. Plus, I’ve been blessed with employees who are simply the best. Each offered honest hard work, creating memorable items and serving our customers,” Feichtinger said.
“That’s the part I’m going to miss the most, the customers.”
More on Independents
The Latest
MajorsMay 20, 2024
Studs Opens Luxury Piercing Pop-Up in NYC“Fancy Studs” will feature revamped branding and a new lab-grown diamond fine jewelry collection.
SourcingMay 20, 2024
2 Business-to-Business Platforms Secure Millions in Funding Nivoda and Liquid Diamonds both have big plans for the new capital.
MajorsMay 20, 2024
Stuller Issues New Packaging & Display CatalogThe 2024-2025 edition features new colors and styles, as well as storytelling elements.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionGIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
SourcingMay 20, 2024
State of the Diamond Industry: Botswana Beyond DiamondsFrom moringa to ecotourism in the Okavango Delta, the country and its leaders are exploring how Botswana can diversify its economy.
Weekly QuizMay 16, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
SourcingMay 20, 2024
Anglo American Confirms It Is Looking to Sell De Beers The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
FinancialsMay 17, 2024
Richemont Appoints Van Cleef & Arpels’ Nicolas Bos as New CEOThe announcement coincided with its full-year results, with growth driven by its jewelry brands.
Brought to you by
Record Gold Prices Have Consumers Undeterred. Here’s Why.Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
FinancialsMay 17, 2024
Watches of Switzerland’s Fiscal-Year Sales Flat Looking ahead, the retailer said it sees “enormous potential” in Roberto Coin’s ability to boost its branded jewelry business.
Recorded WebinarsMay 17, 2024
Watch: Preparing for Trade Show SuccessJewelry trade show veterans share strategies for engaging buyers, managing your time effectively, and packing the right shoes.
AuctionsMay 17, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s Ring-Tailed LemurThis little guy’s name is Ricky and he just sold for more than $200,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Christie’s Holds 2 Sales Despite CyberattackThough its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Sotheby’s Withdraws 101-Carat Yellow Diamond from AuctionDespite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
ColumnistsMay 16, 2024
The PR Adviser: What the Designer Should’ve DoneLilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
SourcingMay 16, 2024
Lucapa to Shed Stake in Lesotho Diamond Mine The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
ColumnistsMay 15, 2024
Squirrel Spotting: Why Retailers Struggle to Fire BrandsWhy do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
AuctionsMay 15, 2024
Red Diamond Breaks Records at Phillips GenevaThe “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2024
See Who’s in JA’s 2024 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
FinancialsMay 15, 2024
Brilliant Earth’s Sales Fall Flat in Q1 While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
AuctionsMay 14, 2024
2 Huge Yellow Diamonds Are Heading to AuctionChristie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
MajorsMay 14, 2024
Platinum Born Taps ‘Born Leaders’ for New CampaignThe ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
GradingMay 14, 2024
Instappraise Adds Trifold Brochure to Appraisal OfferingsRetailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
Lab-GrownMay 13, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Brand Lightbox Cuts Prices by 25 to 40%The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
TechnologyMay 13, 2024
Christie’s Website Brought Down by Hackers, Watch Auction Postponed The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
AuctionsMay 13, 2024
Madeleine Albright’s Jewelry, Pins a White-Glove Sale at Freeman’s | HindmanThe late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
IndependentsMay 10, 2024
Frank Adams Jewelers Names New CEOKimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
CollectionsMay 10, 2024
Piece of the Week: Carina Hardy’s ‘Birth of Venus’ NecklaceAs a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
