IndependentsDec 01, 2025
Lustig Jewelers’ New Owner Is a Fellow Chicago JewelerIndependentsDec 04, 2025
Step Inside JR Dunn Jewelers’ Giant New Store
The Florida independent expanded its store from 8,000 to 14,000 square feet, fulfilling the vision of its late co-founder, Jim Dunn.
On Nov. 20, J.R. Dunn Jewelers held the official grand opening for its recently renovated and expanded store. An independent jeweler that has been in business for more than 50 years, J.R. Dunn Jewelers is in Lighthouse Point, Florida, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale. (Photo courtesy of J.R. Dunn Jewelers)
Lighthouse Point, Fla.— J.R. Dunn Jewelers recently celebrated the grand opening of its renovated and expanded flagship store, a store the Dunn family says is a tribute to its patriarch, the late Jim Dunn.
The new store is nearly 14,000 square feet, making it the largest independent jewelry store in South Florida and one of the largest in the country, the retailer said.
“This new showroom celebrates the past while embracing the future of our company and community,” said second-generation jeweler Sean Dunn, who recently was promoted to company president.
“We built this space to honor my parents, to serve our clients at the highest level, and to carry forward the dream my father started.”
Jim and his wife, Ann Marie Dunn (née Pelliccia), opened their first jewelry store in a small house in Hanover, Massachusetts, in 1969, spending their life savings—$10,000—to do so.
They called it the House of Gems.
When the store outgrew that space, Jim and Ann Marie moved it into a mall in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, and renamed it J.R. Dunn Jewelers.
In 1978, the couple relocated to Florida and opened a small, by-appointment-only jewelry boutique.
The business outgrew its space again, and the family purchased an 8,000-square-foot building on Federal Highway for their store.
This latest upgrade gives J.R. Dunn Jewelers nearly 6,000 additional square feet of space and includes a renovated bridal salon with floor-to-ceiling windows, new spaces for Rolex, its sister brand Tudor, and Breitling, and an area the retailer is calling its “Heritage Lounge.”
The new store is nearly 14,000 square feet, making it the largest independent jewelry store in South Florida and one of the largest in the country, the retailer said.
“This new showroom celebrates the past while embracing the future of our company and community,” said second-generation jeweler Sean Dunn, who recently was promoted to company president.
“We built this space to honor my parents, to serve our clients at the highest level, and to carry forward the dream my father started.”
Jim and his wife, Ann Marie Dunn (née Pelliccia), opened their first jewelry store in a small house in Hanover, Massachusetts, in 1969, spending their life savings—$10,000—to do so.
They called it the House of Gems.
When the store outgrew that space, Jim and Ann Marie moved it into a mall in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, and renamed it J.R. Dunn Jewelers.
In 1978, the couple relocated to Florida and opened a small, by-appointment-only jewelry boutique.
The business outgrew its space again, and the family purchased an 8,000-square-foot building on Federal Highway for their store.
This latest upgrade gives J.R. Dunn Jewelers nearly 6,000 additional square feet of space and includes a renovated bridal salon with floor-to-ceiling windows, new spaces for Rolex, its sister brand Tudor, and Breitling, and an area the retailer is calling its “Heritage Lounge.”
J.R. Dunn Jewelers co-owner and president Sean Dunn and his mother, company co-founder and co-owner Ann Marie Dunn (seated), were front and center for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo courtesy of JR Dunn Jewelers)
The new J.R. Dunn Jewelers is more than 14,000 square feet. (Photo courtesy of JR Dunn Jewelers)
Among the new features highlighted by the company is the bridal area, which features floor-to-ceiling windows (not visible in this shot) that allow customers to see how their diamonds look in natural light. (Photo courtesy of JR Dunn Jewelers)
Another feature of the new store is the “Heritage Lounge,” an area where customers can relax and see memorabilia from the early days of the business. (Photo courtesy of JR Dunn Jewelers)
The store’s new Breitling boutique includes a full bar. (Photo courtesy of JR Dunn Jewelers)
The new Rolex area includes a window (not pictured) that allows customers to see inside the store’s on-site watch workshop. (Photo courtesy of JR Dunn Jewelers)
When Jim and Ann Marie Dunn first opened their jewelry store in 1969, they had a burglary that almost put them out of business. More than 50 years later, J.R. Dunn Jewelers experienced a middle-of-the-night smash-and-grab attempt just days before the new flagship opened, but they persevered. (Photo courtesy of JR Dunn Jewelers)
The lounge has memorabilia from the early days of the business, including the original House of Gems sign.
There is also a custom design atelier headed by Ann Marie’s brother, award-winning designer Robert Pelliccia.
J.R. Dunn Jewelers said the new showroom fulfills Jim’s vision of what the retailer could be but, sadly, did not live to see.
Jim died in 2021 at age 78 following a brief illness.
"This showroom is a tribute to Jim,” Ann Marie said.
“It reflects his spirit, warm and welcoming, built on integrity, and [is] the culmination of the hard work he and I put in together to build J.R. Dunn Jewelers."
J.R. Dunn Jewelers is one of a handful of independent jewelers that have opened big, beautiful new stores in 2025.
Over the summer, Korman in Austin, Texas, opened a new store that is double the size of its former location, while another family-owned Texas jeweler, Zadok Jewelers, expanded into Austin with the opening of an 11,000-square-foot store.
In May, Eiseman Jewels renovated and expanded its space in the NorthPark Center mall in Dallas and last month, Seattle’s Green Lake Jewelry Works upgraded from a 7,500-square-foot location to a store that is more than 12,000 square feet.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
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.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
