Holtzclaw's Jewelry

Holtzclaw's Jewelry. , In May of 1954, John and Darlene established Holtzclaw's Jewelry Store on this location. The site formerly had been a coal yard, later converted to a barber shop and beauty salon. Holtzclaw's Jewelry offered a full range of services from expert watch repair and hand engraving to the sale of fine china and silverware. John's jewelry designs received international recognition, including honors in 1967 from DeBeers for the original and influential use of diamonds in jewelry design. , John collaborated on a number of industrial projects with the Gemological Institute of America, as well as the famous diamond cutters, Lazare Kaplan and Sons of New York. These projects included the development of specialized equipment used in the evaluation of GIA-graded diamonds, the early development of diamond-edged surgical instruments, and the fabrication of special diamond windows for NASA's 1978 Venus Night Probe. , John's many technical accomplishments and the success of Holtzclaw's Jewelry was made possible by Darlene's tireless efforts to run day-to-day operations at the store, along with the help of local high school and college students, known as the “Holtzclaw Girls”. From complimentary gift wrapping using handmade satin roses to polishing a patron's silverware, Darlene's selfless commitment to her customers was truly special. , An electrical fire destroyed the jewelry store and manufacturing plant in March of 1987. Holtzclaw's Jewelry reopened at a new location, but in 1990 John and Darlene retired the business after 36 years of service to Alva and Woods County. , On December 21, 1994, Lynn Martin of the Alva Review Courier wrote, “It is doubtful Alva will ever again see the likes of a Holtzclaw's Jewelry. John could fabricate anything. His design taste was outstanding… but he could make minuscule photo parts, too.”