Rae’s Jewelry marks 50 years of innovation and family craftsmanship

Known for its custom-made engagement rings and cutting-edge jewelry technology, Rae’s Jewelry has evolved into one of the region’s most advanced and trusted jewelers, all while preserving the family values that shaped the business more than 50 years ago.

The company has invested heavily in innovation, including more than $20,000 in 3D printers and casting equipment that allow the team to create bespoke pieces on-site. An additional $40,000 in state-of-the-art laser welders has enabled faster repairs and precision work that would have been impossible a decade ago. Unlike many retailers, Rae’s employs an in-house bench jeweler and completes all of its repairs on the premises, a distinction that continues to set the business apart.

Custom engagement rings remain one of the store’s specialties. “We love being able to design pieces from the ground up,” said Josselyn Barnes, who leads most of the CAD work for both locations. “Having the equipment and knowledge in-house means we can make exactly what someone imagines and actually cast it right here.”

Rae’s Jewelry has also doubled its inventory over the past decade and expanded its popular estate jewelry collection. The estate case, which features unique consigned pieces, has become a major draw and attracts out-of-town visitors who make the Minerva store a regular stop.

While the shop’s technology and offerings have grown dramatically, the company’s roots run deep.

Rae’s Jewelry was founded in 1972 in Canton by George “Ray” and Carolyn Hayes, a young couple driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Originally known as Rae’s Jewelry Shoppe, the store catered to working-class customers seeking affordable, well-made jewelry. Carolyn’s exceptional customer service and George’s growing expertise in jewelry repair helped build the store’s reputation for honesty and quality craftsmanship, often completing repairs while customers waited.

The business relocated to downtown Louisville in 1974 and again in 1980 to its current home. Their son, George Jr., who grew up fascinated by rocks and minerals, later pursued professional gemology. He trained at the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, California and studied with the Gemological Association of Great Britain, eventually mastering design, repair and manufacturing.

In 1987, he opened a sister location in downtown Minerva, and by 2005 he and his wife, Kellie, purchased the Louisville store from his parents. Over the decades, multiple members of the Hayes family have contributed to the company’s growth.

A new chapter began in 2017 when Barnes joined the Minerva store as a sales associate. With no initial jewelry background, she quickly developed a passion for the craft and for working with customers. Under George’s mentorship, she learned CAD, or computer-aided design, and now spearheads most of the custom design work for both locations.

When George shared his long-term retirement plans, Barnes expressed interest in keeping Rae’s Jewelry thriving for decades to come. She has been buying into the company for the past three years and is set to become full owner.

“It’s important to me that people can still come here and feel taken care of,” Barnes said. “Rae’s has always been about doing the work the right way and treating people with respect. That’s something I want to protect and continue.”

From its first days as a small family shop to its status as a technologically advanced custom jeweler, Rae’s continues to shine, grounded in the values that built its reputation and fueled by the innovation that will carry it into the future.