IndependentsApr 17, 2023
Minnesota’s Jay F. Jeweler to Close After 35 YearsIndependentsApr 18, 2023
Wisconsin Jewelry Store Owners to Retire After 35 Years
Their son will take over Barnes Diamonds and Designs this summer.
After 35 years in business, Barnes Diamonds and Designs owners John Sr. and Corinne Barnes are retiring and passing down the business to their son John Jr.
Oconomowoc, Wisc.—Barnes Diamonds and Designs owners John Sr. and Corinne Barnes are retiring after 35 years, handing down the business to their son John Jr.
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.
Related stories will be right here …
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.
More on Independents
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
