AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives ReplacedLondon-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.
IndependentsMay 01, 2018
Texas Jeweler James Avery Dies at 96
He started the business that grew into an 80-store chain in his in-laws’ garage.
James Avery, the Texas designer who started the business that grew into 80-store chain James Avery Artisan Jewelry, died Monday at the age of 96.
Kerrville, Texas—James Avery, who started his eponymous retail chain in his in-laws’ garage in the 1950s, died Monday. He was 96.
The company announced his death Monday afternoon on its social media accounts, writing, “It is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of our founder, James Avery. He touched many lives through his art and giving spirit.”
Avery was born Dec. 7, 1921, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He served in the U.S. Air Corps during World War II and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After completing pilot training, he commanded a B-26 bomber and survived 44 missions over Germany.
Following the war, Avery earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial design from the University of Illinois. He began teaching at colleges, and it was while at the University of Colorado that he first began to explore jewelry-making techniques.
In 1954, he and his wife, Texas native Sally Ranger, spent the summer in Kerrville visiting her parents. It was then and there that Avery started what would eventually become an 80-store chain in his in-laws’ two-car garage.
“I worked alone for three years,” the jeweler once said. “Ideas, plenty of hard work and prayers (not necessarily in that order) were the rule of each day.”
Over the years, more customers began to come to the Texas Hill Country to seek out his designs, many of which have a Christian theme.
In 1957, he hired his first employee, Fred Garcia, and in 1973, opened his first store.
Today, James Avery Craftsman Inc.’s sales total just over $100 million, according to National Jeweler’s latest list of $100 Million Supersellers, and the company’s 80 stores make it one of the top 20 largest specialty jewelers in North America.
James Avery jewelry also is also sold through more than 200 Dillard’s stores in 28 states and nationwide via its website. The company has more than 3,500 employees.
Avery retired in 2007 and turned the business over to his two sons, Chris and Paul, though he continued to design jewelry and served as chairman emeritus of the company’s board of directors.
He is remembered as a dynamic, creative and generous man who touched many people through his art, work and giving spirit.
His generosity is reflected in a banner displayed in the visitor center at the company’s headquarters in Texas that reads: “Giving is what it is all about!”
James Avery Artisan Jewelry is inviting the public to leave tributes on JamesAvery.com
or email remembrances to JAtribute@jamesavery.com.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the company requested people make a donation to the charity of their choice in his memory.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the company requested people make a donation to the charity of their choice in his memory.
More on Independents
The Latest
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
Brought to you by
Are Earrings an Overlooked Category? What Retailers Need to Know NowAs the holiday season quickly approaches, consider stocking one category that sometimes gets overlooked: earrings.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch HistoryThe book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
AuctionsOct 23, 2025
Freeman’s | Hindman Names New VP, Senior Specialist for Jewelry & WatchesAlexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
The Taylor Swift Effect: Antique Diamonds EditionThe superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
Don’t Forget These Diamond Jewelry Trends When Stocking for the HolidaysRetailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.
AuctionsOct 22, 2025
Pink Diamond, Vanderbilt Jewels to Headline Phillips’ Geneva AuctionThe nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.
SourcingOct 22, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 22, 2025
Tiffany & Co.’s ‘Bird on a Rock’ Finds New PerchChief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
JFC Kicks Off Halloween Costume ChallengeFive dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
Hillsborough Antique Show Gets New OwnerRecently acquired by KIL Promotions, the November edition of the public show in San Mateo, California, will be held Nov. 7-9.
GradingOct 21, 2025
GIA Examines Rare Bicolor Pink DiamondThe stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.
MajorsOct 21, 2025
Pomellato Brings ‘Global Attitude’ to Rodeo Drive FlagshipHollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.
Lab-GrownOct 21, 2025
Grown Brilliance Opens First FlagshipThe New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.
Events & AwardsOct 21, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
AuctionsOct 20, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 10-Carat Vivid Pink DiamondMaking its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.
SourcingOct 20, 2025
2 Mozambique Police Officers Killed at Gemfields’ Ruby MineThey were attacked on Oct. 15, as approximately 40 miners without licenses marched on the mine’s gate.
CrimeOct 20, 2025
See the ‘Priceless’ Jewels Stolen During Daytime Heist at the Louvre It took the masked thieves less than 10 minutes to steal eight irreplaceable jewels from two display cases in the museum’s Apollo Gallery.
SourcingOct 20, 2025
Pristine Gems Names New Director of European SalesGemologist Lauren Gayda has previously worked at The Clear Cut, Taylor & Hart, and Effy Jewelry.
Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
