IndependentsMar 08, 2023
Indiana Independent Jeweler Closes After Nearly 70 YearsIndependentsMar 28, 2023
D.C. Jeweler That Honored 50-Year-Old Gift Certificate Closes
Bensons Jewelers closed for good Feb. 24, impacted in part by the decline in foot traffic downtown since the onset of the pandemic.
The exterior of Bensons Jewelers in downtown Washington, D.C. The store closed last month after more than eight decades in business, with the owner citing a decline in foot traffic due to more people working from home.
Washington, D.C.—Bensons Jewelers, the 84-year-old Washington D.C. retailer that made headlines for an altruistic act a few years ago, has closed its doors for good.
Owner Ken Stein told National Jeweler Monday that a confluence of factors fed into his decision to close the store where he’s worked for 40-plus years.
Bensons Jewelers is on F Street N.W. in downtown Washington, D.C., a few blocks east of the White House.
The retailer’s business depended heavily on downtown foot traffic from employees of the federal government and other companies with government-related business.
Since COVID-19, however, Stein said a lot of workers haven’t returned to the office full time or at all, while visitors aren’t coming downtown as often either, due to part to the view that the city’s train system, Metro, has become more dangerous.
He said his store has lost money every year since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
Another contributing factor is, Bensons Jewelers was not drawing in younger consumers, particularly younger female consumers (ages 20-45), to replace the older customers who are phasing out of jewelry buying.
Stein attributes the shift to younger consumers’ desire to spend money on experiences instead of jewelry.
“I truly believe, certainly for me and for people I’ve spoken to, the trends have changed for young women. They don’t buy jewelry like the older clients did,” he said.
Related stories will be right here …
Owner Ken Stein told National Jeweler Monday that a confluence of factors fed into his decision to close the store where he’s worked for 40-plus years.
Bensons Jewelers is on F Street N.W. in downtown Washington, D.C., a few blocks east of the White House.
The retailer’s business depended heavily on downtown foot traffic from employees of the federal government and other companies with government-related business.
Since COVID-19, however, Stein said a lot of workers haven’t returned to the office full time or at all, while visitors aren’t coming downtown as often either, due to part to the view that the city’s train system, Metro, has become more dangerous.
He said his store has lost money every year since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
Another contributing factor is, Bensons Jewelers was not drawing in younger consumers, particularly younger female consumers (ages 20-45), to replace the older customers who are phasing out of jewelry buying.
Stein attributes the shift to younger consumers’ desire to spend money on experiences instead of jewelry.
“I truly believe, certainly for me and for people I’ve spoken to, the trends have changed for young women. They don’t buy jewelry like the older clients did,” he said.
Ben Stein (no relation) was the original owner of Bensons Jewelers, opening the store alongside his sons in 1939. The store’s name, Bensons, is a combination of the words “Ben” and “sons.”
Ken’s father, Paul Stein, bought the business from Ben in the 1960s. Ken started working there in 1979 and bought out his father in the 1990s.
Bensons Jewelers was the store that made national news in 2019 when Ken honored a gift certificate from 1969 for a knife, spoon and fork.
This image provided by Bensons Jewelers shows the gift certificate for Stieff silverware dated Nov. 8, 1969. George and Cathy Jones (née Swindell) found the unclaimed gift while flipping through their wedding album on their 50th anniversary.
Stein got numerous emails through his website thanking him for restoring their faith in humanity and pledging their allegiance to the store.
Ken shared a few of those emails with National Jeweler when it reported the story in November 2019.
“Dear Bensons,” one man wrote, “I saw the ‘feel good’ story today on NBC News 4 of you honoring a 50-year-old gift certificate. Great job on your part, I will certainly use Bensons for my future jewelry needs. Thanks for [an] act of kindness seldomly seen.”
But any bump in business related to Ken’s kind act was not enough to sustain Bensons Jewelers through what hit just a few months later, the COVID-19 pandemic and its life-altering aftermath.
Bensons Jewelers closed Feb. 24. Stein said he’ll be liquidating all his inventory.
“It’s all very bittersweet,” he said when asked about his unplanned retirement.
“I didn’t want to go out this way. I wanted to go out on my own terms.”
More on Independents
The Latest
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
