Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
Wick & Greene to Become Spicer Greene Jewelers
The same family, however, will remain at the helm of the North Carolina jeweler that’s been in business since 1926.

Asheville, N.C.--It’s time for a change for the 90-year-old North Carolina jeweler known for its iconic street clock.
In August, Asheville’s Wick & Greene Jewelers will begin doing business as Spicer Greene Jewelers. The rebranding will follow a massive renovation slated to begin in late June and funded in part by the store-closing sale currently taking place.
One of the store’s owners, Eva-Michelle Spicer, said Monday that as part of the reconstruction, they are making almost all of their building’s 8,000 square feet into selling space, with a focus on modernizing the process to appeal to millennials.
This will mean a CAD bar as well as having areas where customers can touch, feel and try on the jewelry without assistance, a move designed to make the store seem less intimidating and more inviting, she said.
“Think your grandparent’s jeweler meets Genius Bar,” Spicer said, referring to the feature within Apple stores.
“It’s just time,” she added. “You’ve got to change with the times.”
While Spicer Greene will be the name known by consumers beginning in August, all legal, LLC and contact information (except for employees’ email addresses and the company website, which will relaunch as SpicerGreene.com at that time) will remain the same. The company’s legal entity still will be Wick and Greene Jewelers LLC and its tax ID will not change.
In addition, the store will have the same phone number and be located at the same address, 121 Patton Ave. in downtown Asheville.
Wick & Greene’s rebranding represents the fifth name change for the jeweler, which E.O. Wick opened as E.O. Wick Jewelers in 1926.
Spicer said her grandfather, Paul Greene, started working for Wick in 1942. He then joined the Navy but returned to the store in 1948 after World War II ended, working under the G.I. Bill.
The store then underwent two more name changes before becoming Wick & Greene Jewelers in 1953.
Spicer’s father Michael joined the family business in 1975.
Now, it is Eva-Michelle and her husband, Elliott Spicer, at the helm. He is a third-generation jeweler from Canada; the pair met while earning their graduate gemologist diplomas at the Gemological Institute of America, she said.
Questions on the changes can be directed to Eva-Michelle Spicer at evamichelle@wickandgreene.com.
The Latest

The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.

Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.


The Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.

Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.

NYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

U.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.

A new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.

The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”

Sapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.

The retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.

Niccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.

The three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.

The collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

Sponsored by Clientbook

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.