For nearly four decades, Accent Jewelers has earned the trust of Memphis families by helping customers celebrate life's biggest milestones and preserve the memories behind their most treasured pieces. Founded in 1989 by Webster Smith as a wholesale jewelry company providing manufacturing, restoration and repair services to retail jewelers throughout the region, the business steadily expanded into precious metal buying and supplying estate jewelry to independent jewelry stores across the Southeast. At the end of 2023, the second generation stepped into ownership, with Webster's daughters and their husbands taking over daily operations while investing in technology, renovating the showroom and preparing the company for the future.
While Accent Jewelers has evolved over the years, its guiding principles have remained unchanged. Built on a foundation of honesty, fairness and exceptional craftsmanship, the business has always been about more than buying and selling jewelry. Every interaction is an opportunity to help customers celebrate milestones, restore treasured heirlooms and preserve family stories.
That philosophy stems from a lesson Webster instilled in his daughters, Audra Bass and Wendy Jenkins: "Every customer matters." Whether someone walks through the door with a luxury Rolex or a single inherited gold ring, the Accent team believes every piece deserves the same level of care. Helping customers preserve those stories, or begin new traditions, remains one of the most rewarding parts of their work.
As leadership transitions to the second generation, that customer-first mindset continues to guide every decision. Audra and Wendy say Accent's reputation has been built "over thousands of conversations across the counter," treating every customer with honesty and respect, whether purchasing an engagement ring, restoring a family heirloom or selling inherited jewelry. While investing in technology and growth, the family remains equally committed to preserving the relationships that have defined the business since 1989.
That commitment is reflected in Accent's newly renovated showroom in the lobby of the iBank Tower in East Memphis. Inspired by Art Deco design, the refreshed space enhances both the customer experience and behind-the-scenes operations. COO Will Bass says the redesign "gives us more room to showcase jewelry, creates a more comfortable shopping experience, improves security and simply makes visiting Accent feel special. People celebrate some of life's biggest milestones with us, and we want the space to feel worthy of those moments."
Accent is also strengthening its ties to Memphis through a new partnership with the University of Memphis as the school's official jeweler and gold buyer. CEO Steven Jenkins says the collaboration was a natural fit because "Accent Jewelers has been part of the Memphis community for decades, and the University has played an enormous role in shaping this city. Both organizations share similar values: community, tradition, excellence and investing in the future of Memphis."
Looking ahead, the partnership will extend beyond jewelry. "Fans can expect officially licensed jewelry that allows them to celebrate their Tiger pride in a more meaningful way, from everyday wearable pieces to premium collectibles and commemorative designs," Steven says. "Beyond jewelry, we're looking at opportunities involving athletes, coaches, alumni, special events, autograph appearances and creating experiences that fans simply couldn't get before. We're just getting started."
The owners believe their greatest achievement isn't simply longevity, but the trust they've built with Memphis families. "Businesses like ours don't exist for nearly forty years without loyal customers who choose to support local businesses and trust us with some of life's biggest moments," they say. "We're honored that so many families have made Accent part of their stories, and we look forward to serving Memphis for generations to come."