BENTONS custom jewelry & art gallery
Custom fine jewelry crafted by master goldsmiths.
In 1999 16-year old Bob Hargrove landed a part-time summer job at Bird in the Hand, an eclectic gallery in Salado. Owned by Ann and Jim Benton, the business offered paintings, pottery, antiques and other kinds of art, including handmade jewelry. After a year, Bob was tapped to fill in at Bentons, the shop that Jim Benton founded in 1970.
Bob’s curiosity and interest in jewelry making was evident and Jim began teaching him the intricacies of production. Over the years Bob learned skills in design of fine gold jewelry making as well as mastering production. Jim and Ann sold Bentons to Bob and his wife Laura in November 2018 and today the couple offers the same high level of customer service and noteworthy artistry that’s been synonymous with the name Bentons.
An artistic polymath, Jim Benton established Bentons Gallery to showcase his original jewelry designs and paintings. Fifty years of delighted customers, their children and grandchildren, along with a reputation for one-of-a-kind custom jewelry and fine art have combined to build one of the longest operating businesses in the village.
Laura Hargrove's resume includes medical research/science and she taught at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor until spring of 2022. She’s now a full timer at Bentons and says that most of their jewelry are custom orders. “We use lost wax techniques,” she adds, “and all casting and production is done in-house.” Customers vary in their desires, some having specific ideas, others bringing a photo as a design example, the use of a particular color or stone, or choosing from gold, white gold or platinum.
Following in his mentor’s footsteps, Bob has taken the Renaissance man approach to art, and his striking original paintings and fine art silver gelatin photographs are displayed at Bentons. Gift items and glittering home decor pieces are also available and Bob and Laura offer some modification services. “We do a lot of reworking on a piece of jewelry, “ Bob explains. “We can remount a stone, redesign and refresh a piece. We’ve got a large stock of gemstones.”
As most know, the price of gold is increasing. “Some customers may have inherited a piece that’s not designed the way they want. We can modify or use the gold to create an original, totally new piece of jewelry,” Laura adds. Customers are sometimes cowed by the stand-offish attitude at fine jewelry shops. “Not here,” Laura emphasizes. “We want people to feel extremely comfortable at Bentons. It’s not stuffy, but more like an art gallery - to be explored leisurely.”
At Bentons the customer’s ideas are welcome. “We can work out your concept, explain the pros and cons of the finished piece.,” Bob says. "Or help guide you to an original creation if you’re not too sure exactly what you want. We enjoy educating and never pressure anyone to buy.”
Bentons is a member of the Salado Chamber of Commerce, supported Austin’s Boots & Bandanna event, McLane’s Children Hospital, the Contemporaries at Temple’s Cultural Activities Center as well as made donations to other local charities. Continuing the legacy that Jim Benton left is important to Laura and Bob. White glove customer service and the highest level of craftsmanship are hallmarks of Bentons to this day.
“We do business with people that are happy,” Bob adds. “They do business with us because they want to - not because they have to.”
BENTONS
401 South Main Street, Suite 101
Salado, Texas 76571
254-947-5767
email: bentonsjewelry@gmail.com
website: bentons.net
instagram: @bentonsjewelry