Business Details
49 Years
experience
Your Trusted Family-Owned Jewelry Store in Gainesville
Gainesville Jewelry was founded in 1977 by Phil Forrester, who started with a modest 600-square-foot store and a $8,500 loan from his father. Over 43 years, we expanded into a 7,000-square-foot standalone store while staying true to our original mission: treating every customer like family, offering the highest quality products, and maintaining unwavering honesty. Our decision to eliminate commission-based sales ensures our team focuses on finding pieces that truly complement each customer rather than pushing high-priced items. With staff members boasting decades of experience, including a master jeweler with over 35 years in the field and a GIA-certified appraiser, we combine technical expertise with personalized service.Our commitment to craftsmanship extends to custom design, jewelry repair, and watch restoration, where we prioritize preserving sentimental value alongside physical beauty. As a family-owned business, we view our team and customers as extended family, fostering trust and loyalty that have sustained us for generations. Our approach emphasizes transparency, ethical practices, and community connection, ensuring every interaction reflects the values passed down from our founders father. Whether youre seeking a timeless piece or restoring a cherished heirloom, we strive to make your experience exceptional.
Services
Custom Design
Jewelry Repair
Watch Repair
Appraisals
Diamond Education
Financing
Guarantees
Details
- Year established: 1977
Highlights and features
- We prioritize finding jewelry that complements customers over pushing high-priced items.
- Our team includes a master jeweler with 35+ years of experience.
- GIA-certified appraiser available for accurate jewelry valuations.
- Staff members have served the community for 20+ years.
- Family-owned business emphasizing ethical practices and transparency.
Services
Custom Design
Transform your ideas into unique jewelry using CAD software. Our designers collaborate on one-on-one consultations, allowing you to visualize 3D designs before production. We specialize in re-styling heirloom pieces into modern creations while preserving sentimental value. Services include casting in gold, platinum, or other metals with hand-finished details.
Jewelry Repair
Full-service in-house repairs for all jewelry types. Our experts handle ring sizing, rhodium plating, chain soldering, pearl restringing, and stone setting. With over 25 years of craftsmanship experience, we restore both physical beauty and emotional significance to damaged or outdated pieces using precision techniques.
Watch Repair
Comprehensive watch maintenance and restoration services. We perform battery replacements, crystal repairs, quartz conversions, and demagnetization. Our team addresses water damage restoration and strap replacements while maintaining the timepiece's original integrity and functionality through specialized cleaning and polishing techniques.
Appraisals
Professional jewelry appraisal services conducted by GIA-certified experts. We provide accurate valuations for insurance, estate planning, or personal knowledge. Our appraisals consider the 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, carat) and market value factors to ensure precise, documented assessments.
Diamond Education
Comprehensive diamond quality education covering the 4Cs system. We explain color grading from D-Z, clarity characteristics, cut proportions, and carat weight measurements. Our guidance helps customers understand value factors when selecting diamonds for engagement rings or investment pieces.
People
Phil Forrester
Founder
Phil Forrester established Gainesville Jewelry in 1977 after borrowing $8,500 from his father. Over 43 years, he grew the business from a 600-square-foot store to a 7,000-square-foot establishment while maintaining family values of honesty and customer care.
Questions
What services does Gainesville Jewelry offer?
We provide custom jewelry design, diamond education, appraisals, jewelry and watch repairs, and financing options for purchases.
Do you create custom jewelry pieces?
Yes, our CAD-assisted custom design process lets you collaborate on unique creations or re-style existing heirlooms into modern designs.
Can you repair older or damaged jewelry?
Our in-house experts handle all jewelry repairs, including resizing, stone setting, and restoring sentimental pieces with precision.
Do you offer watch repair services?
Yes, we perform comprehensive watch repairs including battery replacement, water damage restoration, and strap adjustments for all watch types.
Are your appraisals conducted by certified professionals?
Our appraisals are performed by a GIA-certified expert who evaluates diamonds and jewelry using industry-standard grading systems.
