The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
Ostbye Celebrates 100th Anniversary with 100 Acts of Kindness
The jewelry manufacturer will spread goodwill in a new area each month, from elderly appreciation to the environment.

Minneapolis—Jewelry manufacturer Ostbye will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2020 with 100 acts of kindness.
Founded in 1920 by Walter Ostbye and E. Gust Anderson, the company got its start in a sub-basement in downtown Minneapolis, later relocating to a 20,000-square-foot factory in a nearby suburb.
To celebrate its centennial, the company aims to complete 100 good deeds beginning in January and continuing throughout the year.
“We have selected 88 acts of kindness and are asking our retailors to help us finalize the remaining 12,” said President Craig MacBean in an email to National Jeweler.
The list of kind acts includes donating to charities, planting a tree, leaving a large tip for a server, and volunteering at a local animal shelter.
The company will choose a different area to focus on each month.
January: Elderly Appreciation
February: First Responder Appreciation
March: Simple Acts of Kindness
April: Community
May: Environment
June: Neighborhood
July: Children
August: Support Our Troops
September: Encouragement
October: Animals
November: Food Drive
December: Month of Giving
“We are humbled by the number of people, employees and customers past and present who have supported Ostbye over the years,” MacBean said in a press release about the company’s celebration.
The kindness initiative is a token of thanks.
“We have been so fortunate these past 100 years to be a small part of such a special industry.”
Ostbye will be sharing its progress via its social media accounts and encouraging retailers to join in on spreading kindness throughout the year.
For more information about 100 Acts of Kindness, visit the Ostbye website or call 866-553-1515.
The Latest

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.


Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.