Loy Harn Jewelers offers luxury jewelry—both new and old

Loy Harn Jewelers has long been a name synonymous with high-quality jewelry. Its founder and namesake, the late Loy Harn, started the business in 1980 and developed a loyal following of customers who continue to visit the store today.

Now run by Harn’s son, Jason, Loy Harn Jewelers continues its 32-year tradition of offering unique, luxurious new and estate pieces, as well as specializing in jewelry repair and custom-designed creations.

Jason shares his father’s passion for excellence and customer service. For example, when a couple is shopping for an engagement ring, Harn and his sales staff make sure they educate each customer about a diamond’s value. Cut, clarity, carat and color are all part of that education, as is looking through a jeweler’s microscope to examine a diamond’s many characteristics.

Following In his Father’s Footsteps

Almost daily, Jason meets people who knew his father and say what a great man he was. Jason inherited the Mount Pleasant jewelry store after his father passed away suddenly in 2002, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.

As a teenager, Jason often worked in his father’s jewelry store to make a little pocket money. He learned about engraving, as well as making and repairing jewelry. He has fond memories of that time.

“When I was in high school, I was really into surfing. My dad would pick me up from school and, if the surf report was good, he’d drop me off at the beach. If it wasn’t good, he’d take me into the shop,” he says laughing.

Prior to his father’s passing, Jason thought he might work in the aeronautics industry and was taking classes toward that end. About losing his father, he says, “I was in shock for a while, and it took time for me to get back in the store, because it reminded me so much of him. But I realized I had this established business in my lap, and so I got in there and really started working full time and enjoying the business.”

“I’ve met so many of my dad’s customers,” Jason says, smiling. “They’ll ask, ‘Are you Loy’s son?’ That’s good. It’s a daily reminder that I’m in the right place.”

Georgia-born Loy Harn got his start working in a jewelry store as a teenager in high school. His parents wanted him to attend college, and so he did for a while. Ultimately, he decided he wanted to be a jeweler, so he stopped taking classes, moved to Savannah and found a full-time job at a jewelry store. He started at the bottom and worked his way up to become an established and sought-after jeweler. In the mid 1970s, he was recruited by White Jewelers, the only jewelry store in Mount Pleasant, S.C., at the time. Loy took the job, set down roots and started a family in Mount Pleasant. He worked hard and, in 1980, decided it was his time to shine.

“I remember him telling me what he was thinking at that time: ‘I’ve been working for other people a long time. I know this business. I know I can do it,” Jason said of his father.

And so Loy opened his own store and built up his business by first focusing on wholesale repair work for other jewelry stores. While repair was his bread and butter, he soon began dabbling in custom-made pieces and the business grew. He opened in a small space on Coleman Boulevard and then moved to Patriot’s Plaza. He opened the current location on Highway 17 in Wando Crossing in 1992.

Continuing the Tradition

After his father’s passing, Jason and his sister Nickie Harn Reavis inherited the business together, but, a few years ago, Jason became the sole owner. As the store’s only jeweler, Jason is firmly planted in the back of the store where he breathes new life into old estate pieces, designs custom jewelry and performs the regular repair work jewelers are accustomed to.

Occasionally the sales staff comes back to ask a question, drop off or retrieve something. But, mostly, Jason is left to his craft, which, except for the blast of the polishing machine and steamer or the highpitched singing of the ultrasonic cleaning machine, is pretty peaceful.

“I used to hate polishing,” Jason admits over the roar of the polishing machine. “But now, I see that it’s the final step in the process. My customers trust me to create, repair or just clean a piece of jewelry for them. And I get a good feeling when they see the end result. They have big smiles on their faces; I see how happy a piece of jewelry makes them.”

Since taking over the business, Jason has continued the great customer service his father offered. He focuses on offering fine jewelry and gift items, in addition to creating custom pieces. He personally picks each ring, necklace and bracelet that is sold in the store and calls special attention to the high-quality diamonds and gemstones offered at Loy Harn.

“I look at thousands of pieces and handselect the ones that are placed in the store. And I have new stock coming in all the time,” he says.

Regarding custom pieces, Jason says, “People bring a design in and we create it. Or they bring me a piece of old jewelry and we re-create it. That is one of my favorite things to do…take a piece of old jewelry and give it new life.”

Jason adds, “I want to continue offering the quality services my father’s customers came to expect. . . and then some. People will always be falling in love and having children, and I want them to know this is the place to come for whatever kind of jewelry they need.”

Loy Harn Jewelers
Wando Crossing Shopping Center
1485 Highway 17 North, Suite B
Mount Pleasant
843-881-0111
www.loyharnjewelers.com