CrimeMay 02, 2024
4 Indicted in Burglary Ring Targeting Indian, South Asian FamiliesThe men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
EditorsMay 28, 2013
Working to make it OK
“It’s funny what you find out about Oklahomans,” jeweler Tim Lewis told me on the phone last Thursday. “Tragedy happens. We get up, dust ourselves off, thank God and go on.”
His prayers were answered.
Lewis said as the storm approached that afternoon they turned the store’s flat-screen TV to the news.
The meteorologist on the local ABC affiliate, for whom the jeweler just made an engagement ring, began naming specific businesses that lay in the tornado’s path at that point. Lewis Jewelers was among them.
“He just threw out my name. I am sure it’s because he knows me,” Lewis said.
But when the mile-and-a-half wide, EF5 tornado touched down at little past 3 p.m., it veered just north of the store. Lewis’ home was spared as well, as were the homes of his 16 employees.
The jeweler did lose a slightly under-insured warehouse full of production equipment but is counting his blessings nonetheless.
“I am fine. I am blessed guy,” he said. “If that (the loss of the warehouse) is the price I have to pay, that’s nothing.”
Other people in Moore were not so lucky, a fact of which Lewis is very aware, as is his brother and store co-owner Glenn Lewis. Twenty-four people lost their lives and many more were left homeless.
(If the name Glenn Lewis sounds familiar, it’s with good reason. He’s been the mayor for this Oklahoma City suburb of about 55,000 for 19 years and through four major tornadoes, and has been all over the media for the last week, including being photographed with President Obama when he came to survey the damage.)
Tim Lewis said that one of the areas the tornado destroyed was a lower-income neighborhood, prompting the store to start collecting money for those who were under-insured or have no insurance at all.
“A lot of those people need help,” he said.
Lewis isn’t the only local jeweler willing to lend a hand. Via another jeweler’s share on Facebook, I learned about Oklahoma jeweler Meigs
Jewelry donating proceeds from the sale of this $49 Oklahoma pin to storm victims.When I called another jewelry store in Moore last week, Diamond Dee-Lite, an answering machine picked up and told callers that the store would be happy to clean or check their jewelry and also would work to reunite people with their jewelry
by posting pictures of found pieces on their website.
“Anything we can do, we will be here to help,” the message stated. “Thank you.”
Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation to the Lewis Jewelers fund for tornado victims can make out a check to:
Tornado Relief Fund
c/o Lewis Jewelers
2705 S. I-35 Service Road
Moore, OK 73160
“You are put on this earth for lots of reasons but this might be another good purpose for me right now, to see if we can help somebody,” Lewis said.
“Anything we can do, we will be here to help,” the message stated. “Thank you.”
Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation to the Lewis Jewelers fund for tornado victims can make out a check to:
Tornado Relief Fund
c/o Lewis Jewelers
2705 S. I-35 Service Road
Moore, OK 73160
“You are put on this earth for lots of reasons but this might be another good purpose for me right now, to see if we can help somebody,” Lewis said.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsMay 02, 2024
Foundrae Launches ‘Horizon’ Collection“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
FinancialsMay 02, 2024
Pandora Raises Guidance After Strong Q1The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
IndependentsMay 02, 2024
Oklahoma Jeweler Glenn Lewis Dies at 68The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Weekly QuizMay 02, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
AuctionsMay 02, 2024
Vintage Baume & Mercier With Ties to Elvis Sells for $7K Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
SurveysMay 01, 2024
Consumer Confidence Falls in AprilConcerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
TrendsMay 01, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: All Eyes on EmeraldsMay’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
SourcingMay 01, 2024
Opsydia Names New Sales and Marketing Director Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
CrimeMay 01, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
CollectionsApr 30, 2024
12 Otherworldly Pieces From Tiffany & Co.’s 2024 Blue BookThe “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Zales Celebrates 100 Years With New CampaignThe brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Platinum Guild International Appoints New CEOTim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2024
Canadian Jewellers Association Brings Back the Summit It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Recorded WebinarsApr 29, 2024
Watch: Diamond Identification and Evaluation - How to Protect your BusinessSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingApr 29, 2024
De Beers to Move Auction HQ from Singapore to BotswanaSales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
CollectionsApr 29, 2024
Simone I. Smith Mixes Denim and Diamonds in New Collection“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
IndependentsApr 29, 2024
Venus Jewelers Relocating After 45 YearsThe retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
SurveysApr 29, 2024
Mother’s Day Jewelry Spending to Reach $7B, Says NRFGifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
SourcingApr 26, 2024
Anglo American Reportedly Shopping De Beers as BHP Eyes Anglo Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
WatchesApr 25, 2024
Audemars Piguet and John Mayer Partner on Limited Edition WatchThe Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
SourcingApr 25, 2024
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2024The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
