“Everything is done right here in our shop in downtown Windsor. We don’t ship your precious stones or jewelry anywhere”, said Ed Hattem, Owner and Lead Designer at Towne Jewelers of Windsor. “We use the old-world techniques that have been around for ages, combined with new-world technology to deliver you a one-of-a-kind piece that you won’t find anywhere else.”

 

Ed Hattem has dedicated over 35 years to the jewelry industry, but his passion for the craft began much earlier. Growing up in California, Ed got his start at just 16 when he took a summer job at a neighbor’s jewelry store down the street. That experience sparked a lifelong love for fine jewelry and craftsmanship. After high school, Ed pursued his passion professionally, becoming a Certified Gemologist and graduating from the prestigious Gemological Institute of America.

 

“I love the art of it; I always have,” he said. “I have an engineering brain. I love the challenge of designing and then mechanically crafting a piece of jewelry that meets my customer’s dreams.”

 

While still living in California, Ed opened his first retail jewelry store in Tustin, where he honed his skills and fell in love with the customer relationship aspect of the work. After several years of owning his shop, a job opportunity brought Ed and his family to Colorado, where Ed worked as a jewelry and gold liquidator. Soon, Ed found that he missed creating jewelry. He then followed a long-time business idea where he designed and manufactured Scottish Rite rings for men’s fraternal organizations, becoming the largest online supplier of Masonic rings.

 

“I enjoyed that work, but I missed working with people. It was all online; I wanted to get back into helping people design meaningful pieces, and I wanted to build relationships in my community,” he said.

 

In October 2023, Ed turned a longtime dream into reality by opening his very own jewelry store in the heart of Windsor. Towne Jewelers, conveniently located on Main Street just north of Jimmy John's, offers a personal touch and ensures quality and care in every piece.

“The town of Windsor and beyond has given us such a warm welcome,” he detailed. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it’s really taken off in the most surprising way. I am so thankful that so many people have trusted us with their jewelry and custom designs.”

 

The store is purposely set up to be the antithesis of what you may walk into at a large chain jewelry store. “When you walk into our store, it has a studio feel. There isn’t an overwhelming amount of inventory, and the lights aren’t blasting you in the face,” he said. “It’s meant to be peaceful and provides customers with a sense of ease. The store is also designed with big windows to see the workspace, giving customers a sense of peace that their jewelry is in safe hands.

 

All pieces are uniquely designed, and Ed uses modern technology to help customers visualize the end product. “Jewelry is the second longest trade in the world, and it’s always been hand-forged, but with technology, we can do so much more than ever before,” he detailed. “I design all pieces in a 3D CAD software program so customers can see exactly what it will look like. Then, it’s 3D printed, and the gemstones are placed in the model; this gives you a near-perfect idea of the final outcome.” Once the design is set, the 3D model is then used to cast the piece in gold. The entire process from concept to design to completion takes an average of 8-12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the design and customer changes. 

 

“This is more than just a diamond. It’s an experience,” he said. “When our customers walk away, they know it’s locally made and uniquely designed. That’s valuable.”

 

When he’s not working, Ed and his wife, Kimberley, are active members of the community. They enjoy being outside, golfing, gardening, and being with family. They have three grown children and travel as much as their schedules allow. Kimberley also helps in the shop occasionally.

 

Learn more about Towne Jewelers of Windsor by visiting their website, townejewelersofwindsor.com, or by calling 970-980-3430 to schedule an appointment.