ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
IndependentsMar 15, 2018
Jewelry Industry Veteran and Retailer Robert Corey Dies
He founded Robert’s Jewelry Store with his wife in Madawaska, Maine in 1955.
Robert Corey, founder of Robert’s Jewelry Store in Maine, died Feb. 11 at the age of 90. He’s pictured here at his grandson, Joe Corey’s, wedding in 2014.
Waterville, Maine--Robert Corey, who founded Robert’s Jewelry Store with his wife, died Feb. 11 in Fort Kent, Maine. He was 90 years old.
Corey and his wife, Enid, started Robert’s Jewelry Store in Madawaska, Maine in 1955. The store is currently owned and operated by his son, Robert. Corey also was the father of Jeff and Jim Corey, the current owners of Day’s Jewelers, a seven-store chain in Maine and New Hampshire.
Corey started his life-long career in the jewelry business at the age of 11, working for Day’s Jewelers when it was owned by the Davidson family in Portland, Maine.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps. at the age of 17 and served as a military policeman stationed in Japan after World War II.
After he finished his military service, Corey returned to Portland and at the age of 19 was put in charge of opening and managing a Day’s Jewelers in Caribou, Maine. It was one of 22 Day’s stores located in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont at the time. (In 1988 his sons Jeff and Jim and Jeff’s wife Kathy purchased Day’s Jewelers.)
It was there he met his future wife, Enid Marie Sleeper, and the two were married in 1950.
In 1955, the two moved to Madawaska, where they opened Robert’s Jewelry Store.
This presented an interesting challenge for the couple given that, at the time, French was the predominant language in northern Main and the two spoke only English. But it was often said, according to Corey’s family and friends, that he “possessed a magical quality of being able to communicate with his eyes.”
Robert and Enid raised their seven children in Madawaska, where the family grew up working together in the jewelry store.
Corey loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their summer home on Long Lake in Sinclair, Maine. He also loved his hunting trips with friends as well as his final trip to the Arctic with his sons and grandsons.
Corey was a devout Catholic “who was very much in touch with his heart,” his family said, and often sang and recited poetry.
He will be missed for his wit and humor, and for his ability to always find goodness and kindness in life and in people, they added.
He also was passionate about the industry and how jewelry symbolized special moments in life.
Corey and his wife, Enid, started Robert’s Jewelry Store in Madawaska, Maine in 1955. The store is currently owned and operated by his son, Robert. Corey also was the father of Jeff and Jim Corey, the current owners of Day’s Jewelers, a seven-store chain in Maine and New Hampshire.
Corey started his life-long career in the jewelry business at the age of 11, working for Day’s Jewelers when it was owned by the Davidson family in Portland, Maine.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps. at the age of 17 and served as a military policeman stationed in Japan after World War II.
After he finished his military service, Corey returned to Portland and at the age of 19 was put in charge of opening and managing a Day’s Jewelers in Caribou, Maine. It was one of 22 Day’s stores located in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont at the time. (In 1988 his sons Jeff and Jim and Jeff’s wife Kathy purchased Day’s Jewelers.)
It was there he met his future wife, Enid Marie Sleeper, and the two were married in 1950.
In 1955, the two moved to Madawaska, where they opened Robert’s Jewelry Store.
This presented an interesting challenge for the couple given that, at the time, French was the predominant language in northern Main and the two spoke only English. But it was often said, according to Corey’s family and friends, that he “possessed a magical quality of being able to communicate with his eyes.”
Robert and Enid raised their seven children in Madawaska, where the family grew up working together in the jewelry store.
Corey loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their summer home on Long Lake in Sinclair, Maine. He also loved his hunting trips with friends as well as his final trip to the Arctic with his sons and grandsons.
Corey was a devout Catholic “who was very much in touch with his heart,” his family said, and often sang and recited poetry.
He will be missed for his wit and humor, and for his ability to always find goodness and kindness in life and in people, they added.
He also was passionate about the industry and how jewelry symbolized special moments in life.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Enid Marie, and their seven children: Jeff and his wife, Kathy; Jolene and her husband, James Cleland; Jean and her husband, David Foster; Jayne Johnston; Robert and his wife, Sylvie; James and his fiancée, Amy Schmidt; Anne and her husband, Douglas Cyr; as well as 14 grandchildren.
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
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.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
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.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
AuctionsJul 09, 2026
Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter Hires Former Bonhams Exec to Head New Watch DivisionNate Borgelt will lead the digital auction house and content platform’s new division as head of watches.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
AGS, GIA Name 2026 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship WinnerAGS also announced the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Kendra Scott Joins ‘Shark Tank’ As Permanent Investor The founder of the billion-dollar jewelry and lifestyle brand will debut as a full-time “Shark” on the upcoming season of the show.
SurveysJul 08, 2026
Signet Jewelers Falls 5 Spots on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListPlus, why retailers should be ready to adjust as the U.S. population may decline this year for the first time since the Great Depression.
CrimeJul 08, 2026
Here’s What Thieves Stole From the Lalique Museum René Lalique’s “Woman Dragonfly With Open Wings” pendant, the first piece the museum acquired, was one of the jewels taken.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Richline Group Promotes 2 ExecsArien Gessner and Moss Makhoulian have been elevated into newly created roles.
ColumnistsJul 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Diamond Branding and the Origin ParadoxA podcast prompted Smith to share his views on where origin fits into the natural diamond story and the viability of branded diamonds.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2026
JA Announces 2026 Impact Initiative RecipientsThe association selected eight recipients for the funding program, which is in its second year.
TrendsJul 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ruby, White and Blue Whether celebrating America’s 250th birthday or the USA’s World Cup run, July birthstone jewelry can double as a patriotic accessory.
CrimeJul 07, 2026
Thieves Steal Millions in Jewels From France’s Musée LaliqueAround 20 pieces of jewelry were stolen from the museum dedicated to French jeweler and glassmaker René Lalique.
