'Jewelry is personal... it has to have a story to it.' says Murat Ozuzun, owner of The Local Jeweler, alongside his wife Jennifer. To them, there is no question of the intimate meaning of jewelry, a piece that we wear close to our bodies as an expression of love as much as it is of style. 'It's very emotional.' admits Jennifer. She says that watching her husband in action from choosing the stone, to sketching and designing a piece, to fashioning it by hand, emphasizes both the artistry as well as the passion behind the original pieces he sells in their store. 'You can always tell good jewelry.' Murat insists, 'The best work comes from paying attention to the details.'
Murat and Jennifer originally had a jewelry store in Skagway, Alaska, catering to the tourism that came in from cruise ships. In fact, that is how they first met with Jennifer selling jewelry to tourists and Murat running his jewelry store. They soon blended business, romance, and family. However, when Covid hit and shut everything down, their business, like so many others, was deeply affected. They decided to make a move to Arizona and noticed a lack of jewelry stores in the area and decided to open their own. They found their current location and bought it sight unseen. Nevertheless, despite the uncertainty, Murat and Jennifer say that everything they do, including their marriage, is rooted in their faith.
'God is at the center.' Jennifer says, adding that it is the foundation that gets you through hard times. 'Everything is about Him, He is first.' Jennifer says, emphasizing that in everything they do is done with 'honesty and integrity to serve.' Married for 12 years, they are the parents of three sons, and their business gets everyone involved. Their jewelry store is all about faith and family, with Murat adding they are top of mind for him, 'I always dream for the whole family, for the business.' Murat is originally from Turkey and moved to the United States in 1992. He began his apprenticeship in jewelry when he was 14, studying under a cousin of his who was already a jeweler. Eventually Murat worked and learned from the best jewelers in Los Angeles and now has over 40 years of experience in the industry.
Jennifer calls her husband 'an artist', not merely creating a unique piece of jewelry but 'bringing it to life'. Often a customer comes in with an inherited item from a loved one who has passed on that needs adjusting or updating. Murat and Jennifer say they have seen 'people in tears, remembering their loved ones.' when they are reunited with a special piece of jewelry. Murat says that jewelry is 'an investment in memories.' Murat even made Jennifer's engagement ring and that meaning behind the piece is one they know all too well for themselves.
Murat and Jennifer attend the Gem show in Tucson and hand select all the stones. Murat then designs and handcrafts each piece himself. Jewelry is important to the people who wear them, but clearly that passion starts in the workshop by jewelry makers like Murat. The story of each piece has quite a journey before it is even slipped on or clasped into place.
'Their jewelry store is all about faith and family, with Murat adding... 'I always dream for the whole family, for the business.'