Kenneth & Clarissa Price

The History of Price's Fine Jewelry

Gerald & Ruth Price

Receiving jewelry is one of the most memorable events of a lifetime and for more than 60 years Price's Fine Jewelry has served the families of Detroit Lakes and the surrounding community with the perfect balance of cutting edge jewelry design and outstanding customer service. The cornerstone values of our business are trust, integrity, honesty, and truth in pricing.

The story unfolds in 1898 when Sylvester Price graduated as a watchmaker from the Bradley Institute. His humble start was the cornerstone of Price's Fine Jewelry, as we know it today. His son Kenneth together with his wife Clarissa were the first husband-wife team and founders of Price's Jewelers in 1943 and their son Gerald, who at the tender age of 14, bought into the company with the $200 he had saved from working a paper route around Detroit Lakes. Originally the store was located across the street from its current location but moved in the late 40's to where it has remained today as the second oldest business in Detroit Lakes.

After marrying Ruth Hanson, in 1952 Gerry and Ruth became the second Price couple to work jointly in the business. Other than a brief 2 year Army tour, Gerry had been a dedicated owner, manager, jeweler, gemologist, watchmaker, and repairman. Over the years Gerry has had extensive involvement in the jewelry industry and earned the title of Registered Jeweler from the American Gem Society. In 1958, he also has been the President of the MN Watchmakers, served on the executive committee of the MN Jewelers Board of Directors and continues to be actively involved in the community. Ruth, in addition to raising their three children, had also acquired the responsibility of bookkeeper until her retirement in 1997. To date, Gerry is still assisting the store with his expertise as watch repairman, though on a very "semi-retired" status. Through the years all three of their children have worked in the store, with Cheryl and Lynnette eventually following their own adventures and Roger now leading the charge towards the future!

This legacy continues today with Roger who in his childhood showed an aptitude for goldsmithing, his wife Anita, and their three kids carrying on the traditions and principles of the store. Roger began his venture in the family business in Junior High, learning goldsmithing skills from Grandpa Ken and his father Gerry. Together they have been crucial mentors for Roger instilling strong work ethics and the Price family values within him along with extensive jeweler knowledge. He then went on to graduate from Minneapolis Technical Institute with an emphasis on jewelry manufacturing and repair. In addition to this training and attending numerous seminars and continuing education classes, Roger now holds the title of Master Goldsmith and is continually striving for perfection on every piece of jewelry he works on.

Anita started her journey with the Price family in 1989 when she began as a part-time employee while attending Detroit Lakes High School. As time progressed, a relationship blossomed between Roger and Anita and they began dating her junior year of college at Concordia, Moorhead. Anita completed her college career with her BA degree in Elementary Education and as it was meant to be, they married in August of 1996. Anita is the key to the successful management of the store. An efficient multi-tasker, she manages personnel, advertising, buying, appraisals, bookkeeping, and in her spare time is on the selling floor. Together they are very proud to be the third Price husband and wife team to run the store. Their three children Kelvin, Breanna, and Kylee continue the family legacy with exuberance only children have, modeling after their parents with their own version of "repair" work.