At Marthaler Jewelers, family, artistry and craftsmanship are at the center of everything. Andy Marthaler, a first-generation jeweler, has grown the business with his wife, Tonya, and more recently, their son, Matthew. Through a conversation with Andy and Tonya, we learned how the store began, the values that set their business apart and the intentional choices that continue to shape its legacy.

Specializing in one-of-a-kind custom jewelry and meticulous repairs, Marthaler Jewelers blends artistry with precision. From handcrafted benches to meaningful touches in décor, every detail reflects the family’s dedication to quality, community and relationships that last.

Stroll: Andy, how did you first find your way into the jewelry industry?

Andy: It started as an after-school job. I was working at Perkins and didn’t enjoy it. When a jewelry store was hiring, I applied and got the job. I liked the short weekend hours and Sundays off. Pretty quickly, I realized I was good at sales and wanted to learn more about the bench.

Stroll: How did you first learn to work on the bench?

Andy: My grandfather asked me to size his ring, so I asked my boss, Roger Price, to do it. He said, “No, but I’ll show you how.” His commitment to perfection shaped me as a jeweler. I enjoyed the work, went on to study at the Gemological Institute of America, became a gemologist and kept improving my skills. Being a jeweler myself changes how we buy, sell and design. Quality is everything. I never want to apologize for a piece we sell that doesn’t exceed a customer’s expectations.

Stroll: What does it mean to be a first-generation jeweler?

Andy: It means making your own mistakes and finding your own way. There’s no family legacy to lean on — you’re creating one. We had to work hard to make a name for ourselves. Now, with Matthew involved, he understands the dedication it takes to keep building on that.

Stroll: You designed custom benches for your jewelers. Why was that important?

Andy: Standard benches weren’t ideal. A friend in tool and die helped me design benches with input from our jewelers, so everything has a place. The right tools matter if you want to excel.

Stroll: Why is working under a microscope so important?

Andy: Jewelry is tiny, and precision is critical. A poorly seated stone causes problems later. Every bench has a microscope to ensure accuracy.

Stroll: You’ve also invested in laser welders. How does that help?

Andy: We bought several so that no jeweler has to wait. They let us work around delicate stones without risk. It’s one more way to protect customer pieces and guarantee quality.

Stroll: You’re often seen wearing an apron. Why is that?

Andy: Even though I’m not always on the bench, I may need to polish or repair something. Being a jeweler and owning a jewelry store should go hand in hand. My skills give me a critical eye with vendors and designs. A piece must be both beautiful and durable.

Stroll: The store has a distinctive rustic décor. What inspired it?

Tonya: Since we own the building, we had freedom to make it ours. I love mixing rustic and refined, so we sourced from places like Underground Salvage in Brevard. Many doors are old-school doors, honoring teachers. Donkey gates in the shop wall remind us of Andy’s grandfather, a dairy farmer. Trim came from a barn near my childhood home, stained glass came from a church, and Navy-inspired paint honors our family’s service. Every detail has meaning, but most of all, we wanted customers to feel comfortable.

Stroll: You also opened The Vault. How did that idea come about?

Andy: I love guns, and we realized we didn’t have much for women shopping for the men in their lives. The old drive-through space was perfect for a gun and an outdoor store. We even turned the former ATM space into a vault.

Stroll: At one point you asked your son, Matthew, to leave law and join the business.

Andy: As we grew, we needed someone brilliant with process and organization. Matthew brought new thinking, created internal programs and built efficiencies Tonya and I couldn’t. What we’re building doesn’t follow a manual, and his vision has been invaluable.

Stroll: Giving back seems central to your values. Can you share more?

Tonya: Before we even signed our first lease, we promised our angel investors we would always give back. Supporting children and animals is especially meaningful to us. It’s how we live out our faith and commitment to helping others.

Stroll: What organizations are close to your heart?

Tonya: We support a wide range of causes, many through personal connections. We sponsor a couple serving the Colville Reservation through Samaritan’s Purse and help with the Backpack Program for local children. We’ve supported the Little Angels School in Uganda, the Rosebud Reservation children’s home and, more recently, a mother of three who lost her home in Helene. Beyond that, we try to be responsive to unexpected needs. For us, it’s about helping the helpers.

At Marthaler Jewelers, every detail, whether in a custom ring, a carefully built workbench or the décor of the store, comes back to family, craftsmanship and community. Marthaler Jewelers is growing a legacy of intention, creativity and heart.