Wisconsin Jewelry Store Owners to Retire After 35 Years
Their son will take over Barnes Diamonds and Designs this summer.
The Wisconsin family-owned business said John Jr. is set to take over this summer. It said the transition will continue to uphold the same quality standards, values and reputation that Barnes has become known for while also bringing some exciting surprises, including new designer brands and fresh styles.
In honor of the Barnes’ retirement, the store will host a special sale on April 18 today where the entire inventory will be marked up to 70 percent off. The retirement celebration is a way to say thank you to their customers for their love and support over the years, it said.
Before Barnes Diamonds and Designs, John Sr. was working as a watchmaker in the 1970s. He later learned goldsmithing and became a Certified Gemologist Appraiser.
In 1986, he and his wife started their small jewelry business. As the company grew, the couple found themselves upgrading locations for more space.
Their love of fine jewelry was passed to their sons.
Up front, owner-to-be John Jr. could be found helping, while his brother Joe was often doing the goldsmithing, designing, and working the repair bench in the back.
Just breaking up these paragraphs a bit.
The Barnes family is active in their church and passionate about donating to those in need, having hosted Make-A-Wish in their store. Giving back to their community is an important value that will remain as John Jr. takes over, the store said.
Barnes Diamonds and Designs is grateful for its great and loyal customers, who responded to the store’s unique jewelry designs, including antique and vintage jewelry in the store, the store said. They have multi-generational customers, which it says is a testament to the family and the growth of the business.
“We are so blessed to have an absolutely amazing team. While we’re truly a family store, all of our employees are like family,” the Barnes family said. “We cannot say thank you enough to our loyal customers for making the last 37 years so enjoyable. It has been a sincere joy to serve you all.”
The Barnes Diamonds and Designs retirement celebration sale will take place at their store at 1370 Pabst Farms Circle #310 in Oconomowoc.
The Latest
Sponsored by Tasha R
Three Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.
A federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.
The new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.
The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
The four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
The event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
A collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.
The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
Hampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
The group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
The collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
This year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
Senior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
The latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
No. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.
Instead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.