In business since 1885, JB Hudson has been a staple in the Twin Cities for those looking for fine jewelry and watches. One of the secrets to its success has been its ability to change with the times, while still providing that old-fashioned customer service. It recently moved to a new storefront at the Edina Galleria which exudes a luxury atmosphere.
“We’re a Minnesota brand and the owner is from the Midwest,” says store manager, Aaron Block. “We treat every single person that walks through the door like royalty whether they’re having a repair done or spending hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
With a team that includes people with over 30 years of experience in the jewelry industry, the staff is very knowledgeable and has stayed on top of all the trends along the way. This fall is no different.
“We’re getting more requests for longer diamonds, such as an elongated cushion or emerald radiant cuts,” he says. “We're expecting layering to trend, so a lot of bracelets as well as necklaces are being worn together. We’re also seeing bolder pieces like the 80s button earrings. They’re coming back in style right now, and so are the smaller hoops but in more of that chunky style.”
Different shades of citrines, oranges, and greens will be trending, and that includes in watches as well, especially for women. “We're expecting those oranges, greens and some different shades of brown to be really on point,” says Aaron.
Of course, some pieces never go out of style. Classics such as diamond stud earrings, which he says are a real staple, along with tennis necklaces and solitaire pendants, are constant favorites. Watches are still a popular purchase too, for both men and women.
“A watch is a fashion piece just like any other piece of jewelry, plus you have those true collectors who have multiple pieces that sometimes number into the hundreds. They will always continue to buy watches just because they are something they love and are interested in.”
Aaron likes to buy watches to commemorate special events in his life. “Every time I would get a promotion or move locations, I would celebrate with a watch,” he says. “When my daughter was born, I made a watch with an engraved nameplate on it.”
Whenever he looks at one of these watches, it evokes a special memory, just like an engagement ring or wedding ring marks cherished moments in a life.
“A woman whose husband recently passed away wanted to combine her engagement ring and her wedding band with his wedding band,” he says. “So, we created a custom singular ring that combined all three designs. We also just did a custom pendant for somebody whose mother had passed away, and we combined some special memories into that pendant.”
He adds, “It's very emotional, especially with diamonds, because it's something that you're going to have forever, and you're wearing it on your body to commemorate whatever that meaning is.”
Strong emotions also play out in many vintage and heirloom pieces. “As people pass away, others inherit these pieces and want an idea of either what they are worth, or how to refurbish them or change them into something that they would wear,” says Aaron.
There is a master jeweler on staff to handle all types of repairs and refurbishing. “He does excellent work. It's actually in his blood - his father was a jeweler - and he handles everything from vintage to new pieces.”
Aaron has been noticing an uptick in customers requesting pieces that they can pass down from generation to generation, whether it's a timepiece or a piece of jewelry that their children or their children's children can inherit. They also want it to be timeless and something that future generations are going to want to wear.
If someone prefers a piece that is unique and not something that they can just pick out of a case, JB Hudson has expert jewelry makers who can create exactly what they desire.
“You would sit down with somebody like me and we would get an idea of what you're looking for, possibly have a very rough sketch done, find out the metal type, the stone or stone types, and then go about designing it,” he says. “We would then create a CAD image and you would get to approve that CAD image before it’s cast. You'd then have a one-of-a-kind piece.”
In the industry for 15 years, Aaron considers himself fortunate to do what he does on a daily basis. “We get to go on a journey with our clients where it may be a younger guy coming in for his first jewelry purchase or he's looking to get engaged. You really get involved in their lives in a way.”
Since many clients come in again and again, he’s known them for a long time. “It doesn't feel like a typical retail job because you have that emotional connection with your clients and you get to make people happy,” he says. “That’s the greatest thing.”
3555 Galleria | 612-274-7181 | JBHudson.com