T.C. Carter, at age 14, entered the jewelry business with his parents, Theron and Maxine Carter and helped establish a jewelry store in St. Marys, GA. Beth Carter began her jewelry career working for Horton Jewelry in Mountain Home, AR during her high school years. T.C. and Beth met at Gem City College in Quincy, IL where T.C. completed Watchmaking, Clock Repair, Jewelry Repair and Design. Beth completed her studies in Hand Engraving, Jewelry Design and Repair. They were married in 1974 and worked for T.C.'s parents in Georgia until they had the opportunity to partner in a new venture with Jimmy Horton of Horton Jewelry in Mountain Home. In 1976, T.C. and Beth, both age 21, founded The Jewel Chest.

Although they were young, T.C. and Beth feel there was a big advantage to their ages: it never occurred to them that it might not work! They went after the business with full force and although finances were tight at times, they never had an unprofitable year.

In the early years, T.C. was able to make the overhead on the bench - performing watch repair Monday through Wednesday and jewelry repair Thursday through Saturday. Clock repairs were done in between. Beth completed the GIA diamond courses and handled appraisals, bookkeeping, advertising and general management. The business was established on service but T.C. and Beth continually strived to become good retail managers and grow their selections of fine diamonds and jewelry.

T.C. and Beth feel their partner, Jimmy Horton, helped them tremendously. They were able to start the business with Mr. Horton's good reputation and credit rating to back them. That put them years ahead even though they had just started. From a modest 1000 square foot location in 1976, The Jewel Chest expanded in 1982 to 1600 square feet. In 1983, Mr. Horton sold his interest in The Jewel Chest to the young couple. In 1985, T.C. and Beth built their existing building in Town East Centre and expanded the business to 2000 square feet. They feel this move was one of the best business decisions they ever made. They bought their own unit in a condominium-style strip center. Their goal was to fill the center with other non-competing retailers to create a small town department store. The move doubled the business within the first year. In 2002, Carter's added another 700 square feet to the already impressive store and augmented its visibility from the main street with a dramatic new store front.

            

The Carter's attribute much of their success to a competent, dependable and loyal staff. The staff - with a combined total of over 80 years with Carters - is career-oriented and conscientious. In 1987, The Jewel Chest became a member of the prestigious American Gem Society. In 1988, gemologist Mike Jaeger earned the coveted title of Certified Gemologist and jeweler Bill Murray won several design awards from the Arkansas Jewelers Association. Carter's now boast two full-time jewelers. In order to network with other jewelers, Carters have been active in the Arkansas Jewelers Association. T.C. has served as Vice-President and President of the organization. The Jewel Chest has thrice been named Arkansas Jeweler of the Year, in 1989, 1991, and 1998 by the AJA Travelers. In 2004, T.C. was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award, the first award of its kind ever given by the AJA.

In 1995, for marketing reasons The Jewel Chest starting doing business as Carter's Jewel Chest.

The Carters try to attend at least one educational seminar and one trade show each year. They feel they need the time away to brainstorm and pick up on new ideas. They particularly enjoy team clinics offered at the Independent Jewelers Organization shows. They have gleaned a lot of ideas from other jewelers and offered a few of their own. In 1993, T.C. and gemologist Mike Jaeger started making annual diamond buying trips with other IJO jewelers to Antwerp, Belgium to increase their buying power and selection of diamonds.

"Our story cannot be told," states Beth, "without giving the ultimate credit to God. He has blessed us by allowing us to work well together. We work as a team and love it. The store was our baby for the first eight years until our son, Patrick, was born. Two years later we had Christopher. It has been a challenge to divide our priorities between business and family, but thanks to a great staff, we were able to keep it balanced. Our boys, now 18 and 20, make all the work worthwhile."

The real secret to Carter's success? T.C. relates, "After 35 years in the jewelry business, we can't think of any other profession we would have enjoyed as much."

Thank you for reading our story. Please come in and let us serve you!