history

In a sparkling new store nestled in the heart of a community renaissance, Smithworks Fine Jewelry is building upon a legacy of unmatched expertise and customer satisfaction 20 years in the making.

Visiting the Smithworks location at 361 East Kennedy Street in downtown Spartanburg today is more of a cultural and educational experience than a mere retail excursion. From the fine art on the walls to the high-end designer lines under glass, Smithworks defines luxury. And while it has been hailed as one of the industry's most state-of-the-art anywhere, it also has been credited locally for igniting the redevelopment of the southeastern edge of Spartanburg's business district.

Years before the company moved into its current location in January of 2007, owner Louis Smith had crafted a reputation for fine jewelry making and goldsmithing. Indeed, it was not long after it first opened in another downtown Spartanburg location in 1988 that Smithworks became known as the place for jewelry fabrication and design. Throughout its history, Smithworks has employed some of the finest bench jewelers in the industry, a fact recognized by several design awards.

While jewelry design has always been at the heart of its business, Smithworks also boasts a long history of high-end designer expertise. In 1989, a year after it opened, Smithworks began carrying Tag Heuer and Jewels By Star.  A year later, Smithworks added Roberto Coin, followed by Baume & Mercier in 1992. Later, Slane & Slane, Marco Bicego and Precision Set were added to complement the company's own design work and to better meet the needs of an expanding customer base.

To prepare for the needs of that growing business, Smithworks spent five years developing plans for its new 5,000 square foot building. The years of researching other stores and design firms paid off: The move was met with rave reviews, including a feature in the May 2007 issue of InStore magazine, a top national trade publication that highlights the best stores in the jewelry industry.

Yet over two decades of change, the most important aspect of the business has never wavered:  devotion to customer satisfaction made possible by a level of expertise and attention to detail that has made Smithworks a leader in its field.