Duke's jewelers: a business built on family values.

• Author: Biton, Adva
• Position: UB: Digital

Duke's Jewelers has been at the same location on 220 S. Main Street in Springville ever since Melvin and Mary Duke opened the store in 1948. Melvin, trained as a watchmaker by the U.S. Army during World War II, brought his skills to Springville and passed down his trade to his son and then his grandson, current owner Richard E. Holmes. To Holmes, Duke's is more than just a jewelry store: it's a link to his family's reputation and history.

"It's a family-owned business--three generations now," says Katie Welch, sales manager at Duke's. "As far as how we treat the clients and the customers, because it's [Holmes'] family reputation, the most important thing is that the client comes first and integrity comes first every single time."

Holmes informally began his training as a jeweler at the age of 10, learning the trade from his grandfather and father. Holmes went on to study gemology and jewelry arts at the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, Calif., after graduating from Brigham Young University. Holmes also became a certified gemologist with the American Gem Society, one of only a few in the state of Utah.

Because of his background, Holmes offers a unique blend of artistry and scientific expertise to his clients. Whether a client wants an education, a modern resetting of a stone, or to craft and design a whole new piece, Duke's can do it all...