IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort LauderdaleIndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle Studio
Founder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
Green Lake Jewelry Works, which is turning 30 next year, is relocating later this month to a new location in Seattle.
Seattle—Green Lake Jewelry Works is kicking off its 30th anniversary celebration early with the opening of its new location in Seattle.
Set to open Nov. 20, the jeweler will relocate from its current Seattle location to a bigger space at Northgate Station.
The new 12,850-square-foot space is nearly double the size of its previous 7,500-square-foot location, and is located about a block away in a lifestyle center at the site of a former Simon mall.
In an interview with National Jeweler, founder Jim Tuttle shared why the jeweler decided to relocate and what makes the new space special.
“We were running out of space,” said Tuttle. “We’ve been in an unusually high growth mode for about five years now.”
The business, which first opened on Seattle’s Green Lake Drive in 1996, has seen growth nearly every year, except 2019, said Tuttle, and has posted double-digit growth since 2020, fueled in large part by custom design, the retailer’s specialty.
While custom jewelry has been growing in popularity for about two decades, he said, Green Lake Jewelry Works has been focused on custom from day one.
Word-of-mouth marketing has been crucial for its business, as was being an early adopter of online sales and not being afraid to share its jewelry creations.
“Everyone is always like, ‘Don’t [post] your stuff. People copy.’ We’re not going to make that again anyway,” said Tuttle.
The retailer crafts custom jewelry on site with its team of bench jewelers.
It employs about 90 people between its Seattle store and its other location in Bellevue, Washington.
The new Seattle store will employ about 65 people, with room to grow to 80 team members.
Related stories will be right here …
Set to open Nov. 20, the jeweler will relocate from its current Seattle location to a bigger space at Northgate Station.
The new 12,850-square-foot space is nearly double the size of its previous 7,500-square-foot location, and is located about a block away in a lifestyle center at the site of a former Simon mall.
In an interview with National Jeweler, founder Jim Tuttle shared why the jeweler decided to relocate and what makes the new space special.
“We were running out of space,” said Tuttle. “We’ve been in an unusually high growth mode for about five years now.”
The business, which first opened on Seattle’s Green Lake Drive in 1996, has seen growth nearly every year, except 2019, said Tuttle, and has posted double-digit growth since 2020, fueled in large part by custom design, the retailer’s specialty.
While custom jewelry has been growing in popularity for about two decades, he said, Green Lake Jewelry Works has been focused on custom from day one.
Word-of-mouth marketing has been crucial for its business, as was being an early adopter of online sales and not being afraid to share its jewelry creations.
“Everyone is always like, ‘Don’t [post] your stuff. People copy.’ We’re not going to make that again anyway,” said Tuttle.
The retailer crafts custom jewelry on site with its team of bench jewelers.
It employs about 90 people between its Seattle store and its other location in Bellevue, Washington.
The new Seattle store will employ about 65 people, with room to grow to 80 team members.
The space will feature 14 custom jewelry design stations, four private design rooms, and a gemstone bar that boasts one of the largest selections of Montana sapphires in the country.
Customers can browse through more than 30 display cases of gemstones and unique jewelry.
SEE: Take a Sneak Peek Inside the New Seattle Location
The new Green Lake Jewelry Works location will have 14 custom jewelry design stations.
A design highlight of the store is its hand-painted floors featuring designs painted by its employees.
The motifs on the floor are a great way to start a conversation about the importance of meaning in a jewelry piece, said founder Jim Tuttle.
The new Seattle location will hold its grand opening on Nov. 20.
Of all the features in the new location, the workshop is Tuttle’s favorite, outfitted with 32 work stations and two polishing rooms for custom work and repairs.
“I’m a bench jeweler from way back,” he said. “For me, that’s the heart of what we do.”
Visitors may be more impressed with the hand-painted floors.
For the last 25 years, Green Lake Jewelry Works stores have featured artwork painted by its employees from designers to jewelers to CAD modelers.
“We have a lot of very artistic people, and they’re on their hands and knees painting koi and dragons and bonsai trees and bumblebees,” said Tuttle, all motifs that can be incorporated into jewelry.
“They’re a conversation starter on why your piece should have meaning and how to add meaning to a piece of jewelry.”
From favorite flowers to Celtic knots, its jewelers can imbue meaning into a piece using a symbol that’s special to the wearer.
From the expansive workshop to the decorative floors, Tuttle wants to make a good impression on his customers.
“I want them to walk in and say ‘Okay, these people understand style and craftsmanship. I can trust them with my jewelry,’” he said.
Trust is a big deal, said Tuttle, especially when it comes to custom engagement rings.
“[They’re] trusting that we’re going to make it beautiful. They’re not picking something out of the case. They’re picking us to make them something,” he said.
In the artsy city of Seattle, jewelry shoppers have a bevy of options, from big-name retailers to independent creatives.
What sets Green Lake Jewelry Works apart, according to Tuttle, is its dedication to craftsmanship and creating unique, meaningful pieces.
“That turns a customer into an evangelist, versus a customer who got a great deal and loves their ring, but they could’ve gotten it anywhere,” he said.
“[Customers] go out of their way to tell people ‘Wow, this is special.’ Great reviews are the new word-of-mouth.”
As one may expect in Seattle, the new store will also have a full espresso bar.
The grand opening event will be held Nov. 20 at 401 NE Northgate Way, #915A, from 6 to 9 p.m.
“I’m a bench jeweler from way back,” he said. “For me, that’s the heart of what we do.”
Visitors may be more impressed with the hand-painted floors.
For the last 25 years, Green Lake Jewelry Works stores have featured artwork painted by its employees from designers to jewelers to CAD modelers.
“We have a lot of very artistic people, and they’re on their hands and knees painting koi and dragons and bonsai trees and bumblebees,” said Tuttle, all motifs that can be incorporated into jewelry.
“They’re a conversation starter on why your piece should have meaning and how to add meaning to a piece of jewelry.”
From favorite flowers to Celtic knots, its jewelers can imbue meaning into a piece using a symbol that’s special to the wearer.
From the expansive workshop to the decorative floors, Tuttle wants to make a good impression on his customers.
“I want them to walk in and say ‘Okay, these people understand style and craftsmanship. I can trust them with my jewelry,’” he said.
Trust is a big deal, said Tuttle, especially when it comes to custom engagement rings.
“[They’re] trusting that we’re going to make it beautiful. They’re not picking something out of the case. They’re picking us to make them something,” he said.
In the artsy city of Seattle, jewelry shoppers have a bevy of options, from big-name retailers to independent creatives.
What sets Green Lake Jewelry Works apart, according to Tuttle, is its dedication to craftsmanship and creating unique, meaningful pieces.
“That turns a customer into an evangelist, versus a customer who got a great deal and loves their ring, but they could’ve gotten it anywhere,” he said.
“[Customers] go out of their way to tell people ‘Wow, this is special.’ Great reviews are the new word-of-mouth.”
As one may expect in Seattle, the new store will also have a full espresso bar.
The grand opening event will be held Nov. 20 at 401 NE Northgate Way, #915A, from 6 to 9 p.m.
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
