Kerry G. Stephens 
From our first birthstone necklace, to our long-awaited engagement ring, to the keepsake of a golden anniversary and all the precious gifts that lie in between, jewelry elicits an emotional response like no other. . And when it comes to antique jewelry, the attachment can be almost unbreakable. While we can’t wear something so ornate, heavy, or old-fashioned, we just can’t bear to part with something as special as mom’s ring or grandma’s brooch. With Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry, you don’t need to keep those precious pieces safe. Owners Hollie Williams and Winter Reynolds specialize in creating custom designs to breathe new life into old pieces.
This beauty was created using gemstones from an older setting for a fresh and dazzling look. Image: Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry
This sapphire stunner was created from the stones of the two heritage pieces below. Image: Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry
Stepping into the Germantown store is like stepping into a jewelry box itself. The sleek, neutral palette lets the real stars of the show – the jewelry – shine and sparkle. Crystal chandeliers, soft gray tones and perfect lighting create a calming atmosphere, enhanced by the warmth of the welcome. “We want our customers to feel relaxed and to make buying our jewelry fun,” says Ashley Lunsford, Sales Associate. “There is no pressure to buy anything – our customers feel comfortable just watching. “
Winter agrees, saying, “We want our customers to feel like part of our family. I think the unconstrained feeling of our store is one of the things that sets us apart, along with our unique selection and personalized pieces.
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Hollie Winter offers a carefully curated new inventory, creates new bespoke items, and redesigns and reuses parts that are no longer worn. “There’s no point in having old jewelry around,” says Winter. “We are working with our customers to create something they will wear and enjoy.”
For reinvented jewelry, customers and staff collaborate throughout the process. Customers will often search social media for a style they like, and staff will generate a computer image to illustrate a design. From there, just tweak until the look is perfect. Recent projects include designing an engagement ring using the groom’s grandmother’s diamond and creating a beautiful necklace using the stones from two bulkier necklaces and two pairs of earrings. .
BEFORE: A customer can bring in old pieces with perfectly beautiful stones. Winter, Hollie, and their staff then sit down with the customer to determine exactly what they’re looking for in a new, redesigned or personalized ring. Image: Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry
BEFORE: Once Hollie and Winter understand the client’s vision, they render the room. It helps the client see the details of their reimagined heritage come to life. Image: Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry
AFTER: After the computer rendering is complete, Winter and Hollie get to work and create a beautiful piece using original heirloom stones. This finished product is breathtaking! Image: Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry
In addition to giving new life to older pieces, the boutique offers an exquisite selection of rings, necklaces, bracelets and more in beautifully lit display cases, as well as unique pieces made by local artisans. “We want to provide jewelry that women can view, love and buy for themselves,” says Winter. “Most of us can’t go in and buy a really expensive piece without consulting a partner, so we want to offer stylish items that you can wear out of the store. In fact, the largest percentage of our customers are women who shop alone, for themselves.
How beautiful are these silver bracelets with just a touch of gold? Hollie Winter also offers rings for customers to select (or bring in) the perfect gemstone.
Hollie Winter offers classic and timeless fine jewelry selections and new upscale looks. What is the trend now? “Stacking and layering rings, as well as necklaces,” says Ashley. “Yellow gold is making a comeback, and mixing your metals is a great look.”
Personalized jewelry is also very trendy, with handwriting words becoming as popular as initials. Along with yellow gold, chain link necklaces and bracelets are experiencing a resurgence. And for engagement rings, halos are out; simple and classic solitaires are here!
Layered jewelry and mixed metals are popular trends right now, and we see why with these stylish diamond bracelets in gold, silver, and rose gold.
Hollie Winter’s choices are plentiful to choose a delicate look with one or two rings or to dare to wear more.
Hollie and Winter both have years of experience and expertise in the field. “My mom had been in the business for 35 years, so I was born and raised in the jewelry industry,” says Hollie, who worked for Bailey Banks & Biddle before working as a gemstone broker at her home. . The two met while working as brokers for another establishment, and they decided it was time to open their own store with their own vision. Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry opened in Germantown two years ago.
Winter, a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), is Gemologist®, one of the most prestigious references in the industry. She is qualified to appraise gemstones, grade diamonds and assign a value based on quality, rarity, color, and market factors. In short, customers can be assured of the quality of their purchases.
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In fact, they have become so reliable that some customers make purchases after FaceTime consultations without ever entering the store. “We have met clients from New York, Arkansas, Mississippi and Colorado,” says Hollie. “Customers select the gemstones and the settings, and they trust us to create the perfect piece. “
Hollie also says word of mouth attracts customers from across the region. “We recently had four women from Mississippi with six projects each for us – all custom designs. We have so much fun working with all of our clients. We are truly blessed.
We love these two elegant opal rings created from the stones of an older, more ornate ring.
Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry is located at 9155 Poplar Avenue, Suite 18, Germantown, TN 38138. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 5 pm; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more at (901) 474-7427.
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