In the beginning...
...there was a "Metal Arts" class at Brainerd High School, 1988. Randy thought he was going to be making crazy masks, maybe hammering out a plate or bowl. He quickly found out it was a jewelry making class. In a very short time he was repairing and making jewelry for BHS teachers (many of whom are still our customers) and he soon "out grew" what the instructor could teach him. During high school and after graduation Randy worked for several jewelry stores in MN and CA, where he attended the Gemological Institute of America earning his Diamonds, Colored Stones and Certified Diamond Grading Certificates. Upon returning to MN, he started his first repair shop, RW Jewelry Repair, in the basement of his parents home - he was only 20 years old.
In the following two years he worked as a custom lake home builder for his family's construction company, and purchased his first home - this is where he met the neighbor girl, Stacey. After dating the summer before she went off to college, Randy mentioned his dream of one day owning his own Jewelry Store...! Stacey, having a background in retail and design, was not only supportive, but excited about this new venture. Regardless, she attended college, studied Graphic Design, moved back home and got a job in her field.
In the next months, with much communication and planning, even blood, sweat and maybe a few tears, RW Jewelry & Repair opened it's doors in the Nisswa Square on May 1st, 1995 - one day before Randy's 24th birthday.
To make this long story shorter... we have been in business longer than we've been married! In the past 21+ years we have moved seven times, changed our name about as much (but always keeping the "RW" with the diamond in it), run two stores simultaneously and have landed in our one perfect location; right back in Nisswa. Now we are on North Main Street, right next to the Post Office, the ONLY blue building in town!
We are still living our dream and we wake up every morning, thankful for being so blessed to do what we love, in a town we love, for people we love!
Stop in if you would like to hear the rest of our story. The ride is not over yet, not by a long shot! We plan on being around for years and years to come, and we thank you for making RW Jewelers YOUR jewelers!
Blessings,
~R&S
"Practical Art"
It goes without saying (again), we love what we do! We know our clients and customers are our "walking advertisements" and we take great pride in what we do. Beyond repairs, simple to complex, is the heart of RW Jewelers: designing beautiful, wearable works of art. We have never made two pieces alike, and we never will! Each new piece is unique to the wearer: you. We'll start with a blank "canvas," your ideas, maybe a sketch... and work through each step to the finished, gorgeous piece you'll love for years! Quite often we work with multiple pieces, from multiple generations, to create something new, that will be passed on for generations yet to come. What could be more meaningful? True joy!
Our Approach
Our Story
The R.W. Jewelers Family
At RW Jewelers, we work as a team - more than that, our employees are like family. Each member has specific talents and abilities, some of them we all share. Be assured, working together is what we do best, for you and your treasures!
So from our family to yours, welcome!
Randy & Stacey Waidelich
Owners - Goldsmiths & Designers
Logan Waidelich
Goldsmith
(would rather be fishing...)
Jane & Cindy
Sales & Display Artists