Eastern Iowa Jewelry Store Celebrates 65 Years Of Magical Moments

Those fortunate to celebrate a 65th wedding anniversary may know the answer to this question. What symbolizes a 65th anniversary? If you guessed  Blue Sapphire, you'd be correct.

You can find Blue Sapphires in many beautiful pieces of jewelry at an Eastern Iowa jewelry store celebrating its 65th year of being in business. That's right, for 65 years Don's Jewelry in Clinton, Iowa has been creating and selling beautiful pieces of jewelry and watches to make moments even more magical.

To celebrate this milestone, Don's Jewelry is giving its customers delicious goodies and a chance to win a diamond that will sparkle for years to come.

Don's Jewelry Celebrates 65 Years

On May 1st, 1959, Don's Jewelry opened its doors in Clinton, Iowa. Today, Don's Jewelry, 200 Main Ave., is a cornerstone business in the Clinton community located in the Lyons District.

When Don Bartels opened his store back in the late 1950s, Don’s started mainly as a watch repair shop with a few jewelry and watch items to sell. At that time there were 14 other jewelry Stores in Clinton. Today only two remain.

Don was born in Baldwin, Iowa on June 3, 1931, the son of Johannes and Viola Bartels. He graduated from Elvira High School in 1949. Don served with the U.S. Navy, on board the destroyer, USS Ingraham, patrolling the Korean coast during the Korean War. Following his time in the service Don worked as a hired hand on a farm by the airport. He decided he couldn't make a living farming on 9-cent hogs so he continued his education at Bradley University, studying Horology for 2 years, even teaching the class when one of the professors fell ill.

Upon returning to Clinton in 1959, he bought out Bob Shaw and changed the name to Don's Jewelry where he was still working. Don married Marvel Sloppy on August 11, 1952 in Dubuque. Marvel passed away on December 25, 2005. He later married Sandra Van Every on January 2, 2007, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.

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Don passed away on March 16, 2022, at the age of 90. When Don was alive, When Don was alive, his jewelry had 2 of the nation's 1,500 watchmakers. Don and his son Dan. Today, Dan and his wife Sheralyn and Don's grandson Matt Rittmer own and operate the store. Even Don's great-grandson has a piqued interest in the beautiful pieces at the store.

Don was definitely the master of all and is missed dearly.

Food, Diamonds & Fun

To celebrate 65 years of being in business, Don's Jewelry in Clinton is going big! On the anniversary, enjoy cake served from Sweetheart Bakery all day. At 11:30 a.m., lunch will be served from Uncle Pat’s Backyard Barbeque to the first 200 people. When you make a purchase during the month of May, you get one entry to win a .65ct diamond valued at over $3,000!

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Stop into Don's Jewelry on Friday, May 2nd  for their Effy Trunk Show. See these beautiful pieces of jewelry from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and get 30% off plus a free gift with the purchase. Don't wait around when you walk in because it will be busy! Make an appointment to view the line and get an additional 10% off.

Also on Friday, May 2nd is the Lyons Business & Professional Association (LBPA) Wine and Art Walk. Don's Jewelry will be open until 8 p.m. and will be serving a punch starting at 5 p.m. made with their very own Diamond Heist made by Wide River Winery!

Congrats to Don's Jewelry on 65 years of magical moments! Cheers!