IndependentsNov 28, 2023
Maine Jeweler to Relocate After 76 YearsIndependentsDec 11, 2023
This Houston Independent Will Close Just Before Christmas
Lesley Ann Jewels, owned and operated by Lesley Davis, opened in 2016.
Lesley Davis, right, opened Lesley Ann Jewels in Houston in 2016. She will close her store on Christmas Eve and is hosting a store closing sale until then.
Houston—After seven years in business, a woman-owned independent jewelry store in Houston is closing.
Lesley Ann Jewels, opened by Lesley Davis in 2016, announced it will close its doors for good on Christmas Eve.
The retailer is holding a going-out-of-business sale until then, with all the merchandise marked down significantly.
A trained bench jeweler technician, Davis completed the bench jeweler training program at the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology at Paris Junior College. She worked as a jeweler’s apprentice in New Jersey before opening her store.
As she explained during a recent interview on a local morning show, “I loved working at the bench, but I found that the knowledge and experience I had was a valuable tool in helping people.
“That’s when my passion for jewelry turned into a passion for people because I was able to listen to listen to their dreams and listen to their ideas and be able to translate that.”
Davis said while she has loved being part of customers’ lives—noting her clients have become more like friends and even family—she has chosen to close her store and retire to spend more time with her family. She is the mother of four boys.
Lesley Ann Jewels is located on Westheimer Road near The Galleria, an upscale mall in Houston.
Related stories will be right here …
Lesley Ann Jewels, opened by Lesley Davis in 2016, announced it will close its doors for good on Christmas Eve.
The retailer is holding a going-out-of-business sale until then, with all the merchandise marked down significantly.
A trained bench jeweler technician, Davis completed the bench jeweler training program at the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology at Paris Junior College. She worked as a jeweler’s apprentice in New Jersey before opening her store.
As she explained during a recent interview on a local morning show, “I loved working at the bench, but I found that the knowledge and experience I had was a valuable tool in helping people.
“That’s when my passion for jewelry turned into a passion for people because I was able to listen to listen to their dreams and listen to their ideas and be able to translate that.”
Davis said while she has loved being part of customers’ lives—noting her clients have become more like friends and even family—she has chosen to close her store and retire to spend more time with her family. She is the mother of four boys.
Lesley Ann Jewels is located on Westheimer Road near The Galleria, an upscale mall in Houston.
Lesley Ann Jewels is one of several independent jewelers to announce plans to close recently as its owner, or owners, head into retirement.
David and Lori Ettinger will retire and shutter Bechdel Jewelers in Inwood, West Virginia, which has been open since 1975.
The store’s closing sale is slated to end on Christmas Eve.
In Indianapolis, the third-generation owners of J.C. Sipe Jewelers, Sam and Laura Sipe, also have made the decision to retire and close their store.
J.C. Sipe Jewelers has been in business since 1884. The store’s closing sale will run through Dec. 30.
Bowen Jewelry Company in Lynchburg, Virginia, which opened in 1933, is closing so third-generation owner Brian “Biff” Bowen Jr. can retire.
And in Pennsylvania, jeweler David Rotenberg announced early last month that he will retire and close David Craig Jewelers in Langhorne, which he opened in 1980.
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.
