IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseIndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To Close
Butterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
Butterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico is set to close after nearly 100 years in business. (Image courtesy of Butterfield Jewelers’ Facebook page)
Albuquerque, N.M.—Butterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is closing after 97 years in business.
The company was founded in 1928 by Ernest Bernard Butterfield Sr. in Pana, Illinois. He had managed jewelry stores in Indiana and Illinois prior to opening his own store, according to the jeweler.
In 1945, he moved his family to Albuquerque and opened a jewelry store across from the University of New Mexico.
His son, Ernest Bernard “Bernie” Butterfield Jr., joined the family business after graduating from high school.
Bernie had studied watchmaking at Precision Instrument Laboratory in Los Angeles and at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.
When his father died in 1954, Bernie took over the business, running the store until his retirement in 2018.
He served as president, treasurer, and a board member of the New Mexico Jewelers Association, and was active in Jewelers of America, according to his online obituary.
In 1975, the store relocated to a shopping center, which Bernie acquired and renamed “Butterfield Plaza” to celebrate the jeweler’s 65 years in business.
His wife, Anne, alongside his son Mike, daughter Theresa, and son-in-law Bill later joined the business, working alongside three master goldsmiths and three master watchmakers.
Bernie died in May 2021 at age 92, while Anne died in December 2024 at age 95.
Mike Butterfield, Bernie’s son and grandson of the store’s founder, ran Butterfield Jewelers for several years.
His sister, Theresa Butterfield, and her husband, Bill, have run the store since 2020.
The Butterfield family announced their plan to retire on the jeweler’s social media channels. The store is currently holding a going-out-of-business sale.
“The news is bittersweet because we’ve built lasting friendships with a lot of customers over the years,” Mike said.
“I’m sure this will be an emotional time for everyone.”
Related stories will be right here …
The company was founded in 1928 by Ernest Bernard Butterfield Sr. in Pana, Illinois. He had managed jewelry stores in Indiana and Illinois prior to opening his own store, according to the jeweler.
In 1945, he moved his family to Albuquerque and opened a jewelry store across from the University of New Mexico.
His son, Ernest Bernard “Bernie” Butterfield Jr., joined the family business after graduating from high school.
Bernie had studied watchmaking at Precision Instrument Laboratory in Los Angeles and at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.
When his father died in 1954, Bernie took over the business, running the store until his retirement in 2018.
He served as president, treasurer, and a board member of the New Mexico Jewelers Association, and was active in Jewelers of America, according to his online obituary.
In 1975, the store relocated to a shopping center, which Bernie acquired and renamed “Butterfield Plaza” to celebrate the jeweler’s 65 years in business.
His wife, Anne, alongside his son Mike, daughter Theresa, and son-in-law Bill later joined the business, working alongside three master goldsmiths and three master watchmakers.
Bernie died in May 2021 at age 92, while Anne died in December 2024 at age 95.
Mike Butterfield, Bernie’s son and grandson of the store’s founder, ran Butterfield Jewelers for several years.
His sister, Theresa Butterfield, and her husband, Bill, have run the store since 2020.
The Butterfield family announced their plan to retire on the jeweler’s social media channels. The store is currently holding a going-out-of-business sale.
“The news is bittersweet because we’ve built lasting friendships with a lot of customers over the years,” Mike said.
“I’m sure this will be an emotional time for everyone.”
The jeweler highlighted its history of community service.
In 2025, Butterfield Jewelers received the Golden Torch Award from the Better Business Bureau serving New Mexico and Southwest Colorado.
“Our father believed in running a successful business but also serving the community in other ways,” said Mike. “He really took that to heart in everything he did.”
Theresa also established the Butterfield Endowed Music Scholarship at the University of New Mexico’s Department of Music in honor of her late father, who was fond of classical and jazz music.
It supports students studying music education.
“Our grandfather started this business with a belief in treating people right,” Mike said.
“Generations of customers helped us keep that belief alive. Our family is grateful for the strong support we’ve received from the community for so long.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
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.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
