CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
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
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
