Over Sixty Years at Hart Jewelers

In 1955, Tom Hart Sr. was a watchmaker working for Barnes Jewelers in Grants Pass. When the owners decided to sell, Tom and his wife Mary Ann bought the business and changed it to Hart Jewelers. Today the store is owned by their son, Tom Hart Jr., and it’s still very much a family affair.

“I started working in the store my senior year of high school (GPHS), along with my future wife Cheryle,” Tom said. “She has been by my side all these years, with many other family members as well. My nephew Jared is currently one of our jewelers, and my brother Jed works a couple of days a week.”

After high school, Tom attended school in Illinois for jewelry manufacturing, and then to San Francisco to study watchmaking. After completing his studies in 1974, he returned to Grants Pass to work full time at the store. He also earned his Gemologist title and a Certified Gemologist Appraiser title.

Hart Jewelers is a traditional retail jeweler with a dazzling jewelry selection and a full jewelry repair and design center, as well as appraisals.

“We have always tried to be on the leading edge of technology in areas that would be beneficial to our customers,” Tom said. “A prime example is how we approach jewelry design. We were the first in the state to offer CAD CAM technology, which allows us to design any type of jewelry on our computer.”

With that technology, customers are able to look at real life images of their design before it is actually created.

“Once we have the design just right, we can either mill the wax model or grow the model using our 3-D printer. It was using this technology that gave us a National Jewelry Designer Award. It has also opened up new areas for us, such as working with various insurance companies throughout the country duplicating and replacing lost or stolen jewelry.”

The store carries some of the finest brands available and has access to virtually all of the major brands. The selection is extensive with something for every budget.

“We want to thank all of our customers and friends who have allowed us for generations to be part of their special day, whether it’s a wedding, anniversary, birthday or some other significant moment,” Tom said. “It has always been our pleasure to be here for you.”

The store is located at 235 SE 6th Street. The phone number is 531-476-5543. Web site: hartjewelers.com. And you can like them on Facebook.