STORY AND PHOTOS BY KATE DALY

After 35 years of being a fixture in Ketchum, Jensen Stern Jewelry is being taken over by the next generation.

Jessica Herner grew up in Hailey and knew owners Theresa and Colin Jensen’s daughter Tara. Now Herner and her husband Charlie are working alongside the Jensens as the young couple transition into the new ownership role.

“It’s a dream come true to continue what they have built,” Jessica said.

After 35 years, the Jensen Stern jewelry store has changed hands

We look forward to becoming part of the community and “getting to know everyone and seeing how we as designers and developers can help everyone,” she added.

Both Herners graduated from the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California. She is a gemologist with a diploma in jewelry and applied jewelry arts and is the only certified member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers in that state. He earned degrees in architectural drafting and architectural design before earning his GIA diploma in jewelry and applied jewelry arts and honing his skills in CAD and wholesale production.

Charlie made the wedding rings for her and chose a rare, color-changing garnet from Tanzania set with a diamond for hers.

After working in various jobs in several different locations, including the Wood River Valley where Jessica worked at Christopher & Co., Barry Peterson Jewelers and Towne & Park Jewelry, the couple moved to Hailey and founded Gem State Concepts in 2019.

Sisters Theresa Jensen and Jodi Herlich are looking forward to trying out life as expats.

The couple offers design, appraisal, illustration and gemstone sourcing services from their home and are grateful to have nearby grandparents help look after their two young boys and allow the Herners to go out into their new bustling business environment and deal with customers and suppliers in person.

After a week as an owner, Jessica is delighted to “see clients from all over the country and at all times of the day” – a mix of “locals, second and third home owners and tourists.”

The Jensens will stay for about another month while they scale back their commitment.

“It has been an incredibly entertaining, successful and rewarding 35 years,” said Colin Jensen, attributing this to the “kind, caring and loyal regulars, most of whom have become friends.”

Jensen Stern has long offered a range of elegant and unique jewelry.

He is also proud of the quality of Jensen Stern’s thousands of pieces, a collection he describes as “original, versatile, yet timeless.”

He praises his ex-wife for her distinctive taste in selection: “Theresa has a good eye.”

They used to hire artists to create the store’s eye-catching window displays, but since the pandemic, it’s been a purely Theresa effort.

Colin is also known as “the Watchmaker” and comes from a generation of watchmakers.

The Jensens opened their business on Christmas 1989 with the help of a $100,000 loan from his grandfather, Henri Stern. The Stern family owns the renowned Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe.

“This building was built and was the first beautiful building built here (at 351 Leadville Avenue),” said Theresa

“We were trendsetters,” she added, reminiscing with her sister, Jodi Herlich, who joined the business nearly 24 years ago.

Both consider Jensen Stern to be a non-traditional jewelry store. It employs very established staff and makes wearable, beautiful pieces, but it was also the first in the country to show jewelry by Sevan Biçaçki, which can now be found in museums, and also carried designs by Stephen Webster when he was still unknown.

Swiss watchmaker Franck Muller has opened its first account in the United States with Jensen Stern.

“We bring a warmth to our relationships, whether with the sellers or the customers,” Jodi said. “If something looks terrible on you, we’ll tell you. It’s about selling the right jewelry to the right person.”

“I loved my shop, my customers and this city. It was a wonderful journey… but I’m 70 and it’s time to do something else,” says Theresa.

She is currently renovating her house in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and is thinking about living there permanently, learning Spanish, redecorating, gardening, hiking, and maybe taking up pallet painting.

“It will be nice not to have to be anywhere soon,” her sister agreed. “It will be a joy.”

Jodi is considering moving to Italy after spending a month there on a trial basis earlier this year.

As for Colin’s next steps, they will revolve around “a woman who walked into the store a year ago and came into my life.”

“I’m really excited to get out of this box and be an artist again, to paint and play guitar,” he says.

In the meantime, the Herners are busy building a team and plan to keep the same opening hours. They will also be available by appointment and plan to eventually bring in a goldsmith to do repairs and adjustments on site.