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.”
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
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.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
