Jewelry has been the family business for 52 years, and Jay and Mitzi Fluckiger are currently carrying the torch. It all began when Jay’s father, Aaron Dean Fluckiger, started repairing and selling sewing machines at a business that also sold jewelry. When business was slow, he learned how to repair watches and pursued a career in jewelry from that point. Jay bought into the business in 1980 when his father, Aaron Dean, needed someone to help run the business while he served an LDS mission. Upon his father’s return, Jay opened up his own store in the Newgate Mall while remaining in partnership with his father. Within five years, Jay and Mitzi bought out his father and became the sole owners. The Fluckiger’s established locations in the Ogden City Mall, The Newgate Mall, and for a short time, the Layton Hills Mall, before they ended up where they are today.
When the Ogden mall closed, Jay and Mitzi bought his brother’s business and assumed the lease in the Layton Hills Mall. They also continued to stay in the Newgate Mall but they purchased the property in Roy, anticipating they would eventually move into their own location. When they were up for re-lease in the Newgate Mall, they decided to make a big step and move to their own property. Mitzi reminisced, “I was scared. We had only known mall life. We didn’t know if customers would follow us because it was kind of out of the way.” But their customers did follow them, and as Mitzi said, “It was the best thing we’ve ever done.”
At Aaron’s Jewelry, they are all about making custom pieces. People can bring in an idea sketched on a napkin and they can create it in-house. Their team became more experienced in making custom jewelry when Jay and Mitzi would pick up beautiful unique gemstones at tradeshows. For years, they would bring them home and Jay would make something out of them. They loved taking rare gems you didn’t see anywhere else and making them into a unique piece of jewelry. If you like a certain style but want to add or remove a halo, they can do that. If you see a ring you like but want it in a different color, they can make it. They also buy gold at Aaron’s Jewelry and melt it down to make it into something new. “If you lost an earring or broke a chain, bring it in and we’ll make it into something else you can wear!” said Mitzi.
Custom-made jewelry is their specialty. John and Sally Wintle, Jay and Mitzi’s daughter and son-in-law, create, cast, and finish the majority of the custom-made jewelry now. Custom-made Elk Ivory jewelry is their specialty. Each mature elk, both bull and cow, have two buglers, or whistler teeth, that are composed of ivory and can be made into rings, pendants, bracelets, and countless other things. They make each piece custom around the ivory customers bring in.
When Jay and Mitzi bought the business, Jay got his education and training as a bench jeweler. He is a certified watch maker and can fix almost any watch or clock. Mitzi also has been trained in diamond grading and obtained her Gemological Institute of America certification.
Each of their salespeople are accredited jewelry professionals through GIA so they understand the industry and what they’re selling. Aaron’s Jewelry has a GIA certified Gemologist on hand at all times and they are skilled with diamond grading, gem identification, and they understand the different chemical compounds and structures. Jay and Mitzi’s son-in-law, John Wintle, is a Master Bench Jeweler and he is the only one in a retail establishment in Utah. They really are the dream team of jewelry professionals!
At Aaron’s Jewelry, someone will stop what they’re doing to repair glasses if someone comes in needing that service. They also change watch batteries, string pearls, and do all things jewelry onsite. As a Christmas special, all in stock jewelry is 50% off. Aaron’s Jewelry is where honesty and integrity are never old fashioned.
INFO
Business: Jewelers
Address: 5718 S. 1900 W.
Roy, UT
Phone: (801) 775-8343
Website: aaronsjewelry.com
Store Hours: Mon. – Fri. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sundays
Extended hours for Christmas
Week of Dec 8: Open until 7 p.m.
Week of Dec 15: Open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.