In the midst of the Great Depression, struggling pharmacist Nathan Fink began pushing a jewelry cart throughout the streets of Roanoke, Virginia, selling his merchandise on credit. Due to its popularity, by 1930 he was able to open a permanent storefront. By the end of World War II, Fink’s became a family business when Nathan was joined by his son, Alvin. Alvin eventually expanded the business into six additional communities.
In the beginning the store offered much more than jewelry, including Samsonite luggage and Sunbeam appliances, but by 1960 its focus turned exclusively to fine jewelry and watches. It continues to offer the largest selection of the industry’s most sought-after
brands and finest diamonds. In fact, each and every diamond is hand-selected using stringent grading requirements for Superior Cut© , color, clarity and carat weight –– thus earning the Superior Quality© trademark.
Today, Fink’s Jewelers is considered one of America’s 'Top 50' jewelers, and is still owned and operated by the third and fourth generations of the founding family. It has multiple locations in three different states, including Tennessee, where the Franklin store
opened in October of 2023.
Many special occasions and holidays are celebrated with jewelry, including, of course, Mother’s Day. “When a mom receives a piece of jewelry, every time she looks at it, she's going to remember this special day,” says Jeanette Keith, the manager of the Franklin store. “It stirs a lot of emotions.”
Necklaces and bracelets are always popular Mother’s Day gifts, but it really runs the gamut based on different personalities and preferences. Yellow gold is popular once again, and sterling silver and gold combinations are in demand.
Watches are still welcome gifts, especially for those busy ladies who have kids or grandchildren to shuttle from one place to another, or school plays and back-to-school events to attend. It’s so much easier to glance down at a watch than pulling a phone out of a purse or pocket.
Regardless of the gift, everything on display at Finks is of the highest quality, and there are a great range of price points, which appeals to a wide range of customers. “David Yurman jewelry always has great price points,” says Keith. “There’s sterling silver, sterling silver with 18-carat gold, or all 18-carat gold.”
Pieces include charms and amulets, rings, bracelets, and more. Prices start as low as $175 and can go into the thousands, depending on customers’ preferences and budgets. “We always have beautiful gifts as well with Roberto Coin,” she says. “He’s an Italian designer with jewelry that includes white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold.”
The Sabel collection is another outstanding line with necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings, and is curated exclusively for Fink’s Jewelers. “The Sabel name is one with great meaning in my family,” says CEO and chairman, Marc Fink. “As my mother’s maiden name, it personifies an air of elegance and grace, as she was a woman of the same traits. As our family grew, my parents wanted to keep the name alive, and I was named Marc Sabel Fink. Continuing the tradition, my wife and I proudly named our first-born daughter Sabel Rebecca Fink. For generations, the name has held a special place in my heart and one that serves as a constant reminder of the importance of family and trust - in both my business and in everyday life.”
Other collections include Marco Bicego, Cartier, and William Henry, but if a customer wants a custom-made piece, Fink’s talented craftspeople can accommodate that as well. “We have our own custom-design department, so if someone has an inspiration picture or just has an idea of what they want, we can make that idea come to life,” says Keith. “Custom pieces are special because they are very unique and made for a particular person. Many times, there's a lot of thought behind it and customers can put their own meaningful touch on it. This way, whenever the mom looks at it, she knows it was made especially for her. Nobody else has it - it’s a one-of-a-kind piece.”
Fink’s Jewelers has enjoyed celebrating with families for generations - through gifting for the birth of a child, to graduation, and even engagement rings as they grow in life. “That's the best, because once they start with us, they will keep coming back for every occasion,” says Keith. “And we also get great referrals from them. They love the fact we are a family business and they want to keep it in their family too.”
It’s not just customers who have been with Fink’s for many years. Some of the employees have as well. “We have people who have been with the company for 35 years because the Fink family is just awesome,” she says. “They really care about their people and treat them really well.”
Fink’s Jewelers also cares about the communities in which it does business. It has supported many wonderful charities over the years, including Make-a-Wish Middle Tennessee, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Tomahawk Charity. Its sales associates also give back by spending their personal time to volunteer for causes that have special meaning and significance to them, such as animal rescue groups, Easter Seals and Habitat for Humanity.
To find a special gift for that special person in your life this Mother’s Day and all year round, stop into the store or go to Finks.com.