Quality and Integrity
Over the past 30 years, Tim and Jim Gannaway have earned a solid reputation as gemstone experts, jewelry designers, and skilled goldsmiths. Specializing in natural untreated gemstones and custom jewelry design, their passionate pursuit of perfection has led them to be recognized as leaders in the fine jewelry arena. They have won numerous regional and national awards. As members of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, they have pushed for honesty and integrity in the jewelry industry. They have always believed that a good jewelry retailer must possess three qualities: knowledge, honesty, and careful attention to detail. They have proven to possess all three.
A Childhood Hobby
Tim and I started our schooling less than a mile from the modest dairy farm our descendants homesteaded in the middle of what is now St. Paul, Minnesota. We had collected pretty rocks as far back as we can remember, but our schooling centered around math and science. In the early 70’s, while Tim was pursuing a career in chemistry at Bemidji State University, they required him to take classes in the humanities. He decided to take the jewelry making class so he could set up some of the agates we had collected as children. Jewelry soon replaced his obsession with chemistry, and within 6 months I had joined Tim in his newfound profession and we were selling our designs to jewelry stores nationwide.
Our First Award
In 1973 we received our first national recognition by having one of our designs accepted in the Goldsmith 74 Exhibition, which was sponsored by the Society of North American Goldsmiths and the Renwick Gallery (the art museum for the Smithsonian Institute). Our successes were short-circuited by the oil embargo in early 1974, so Tim made a big move out west to start a retail jewelry store in Astoria, Oregon. I joined him in 1975, and by the middle 80’s we had moved our store to the neighboring town of Warrenton, becoming the number one jewelry store in our area. During the 90’s we decided to enter jewelry design contests again, and won numerous national and regional awards.
While Tim and I are well known for our creative designs and our meticulous craftsmanship, we are also experts in gems and gem markets. Tim was twice invited as a guest speaker at one of the largest jewelry trade shows in the world. We pride ourselves in the distinctive gems, comfort, durability, and practicality you will find in each Gannaway Bros. creation.
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