Women in Business - Johnson Diamond Jewelers

Grace Johnson

Johnson Diamond Jewelers

Grace Johnson is co-owner, with her husband Scott Johnson, of Johnson Diamond Jewelers, a family-owned jewelry store in Mandeville.

At Johnson Diamond Jewelers, customers can choose from a wide range of jewelry pieces, including engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and watches, as well as luxury handbags. They also offer custom design services, allowing customers to create a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects their personal style and taste.

Grace’s interest in jewelry began at a young age. Her mother was in the estate and antique jewelry business. She went on to become a graduate gemologist, certified by the Gemological Institute of America. “When you buy diamonds and get a diamond grading report, you want something from GIA,” she said. “It’s an educated opinion about that particular diamond. No two diamonds are alike.”

It was there in 1989 that she met her husband, Scott Johnson, who had also grown up in the jewelry business. “My father-in-law, William T. Johnson, was a wholesale diamond importer and jewelry manufacturer and started his business in 1970,” Grace said. “Whereas I grew up on the retail side of the business, my husband grew up on the wholesale and manufacturing side. We’re third-generation jewelers.”

A native of New Orleans, Scott Johnson moved back to Louisiana after graduating GIA to work in his father’s business. Grace, originally from Jacksonville, Fla., soon followed. The couple has lived on the Northshore since 2001. Johnson Diamond Jewelers continues to be family-owned and operated. “We have four adult children, and they each have a role in the business in some way. For example, our oldest son, Scott, who is a registered nurse, is in the day-today operations of the store and is following our footsteps in obtaining his graduate gemologist degree. Our son, William, is the certified pre-owned Rolex specialist who sources luxury watches for our clients. Our daughter, Ashley, and daughterin-law, Olivia, are social media savvy and help with creating content for Facebook and Instagram,” Grace said.

“We are excited to have recently opened our new location in the St. Ann Shopping Center. We wanted to create a very upbeat, elevated shopping experience for clients to come in and buy jewelry and engagement rings,” Grace said.

When it comes to purchasing an engagement ring, Johnson Diamond Jewelers understands it can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. That’s why the family and team members are trained to guide customers through the process and help them make informed decisions. They listen to their customers’ needs and preferences and work with them to find the perfect ring that fits their budget and style.

“We recently had a couple we were sourcing an anniversary band for, and we couldn’t find a particular style,” she said. “And so, I pulled the diamonds and said, let’s just make it, and so I was able to help that vision come to life for them. We’re very hands-on,” she said.

Johnson Diamond Jewelers carries natural diamonds. “A natural diamond has taken millions of years to form in the earth. In today’s market, the consumer has the option of choosing a lab-grown diamond for less money. A lab-grown diamond only takes eight to 10 weeks in a laboratory,” Grace said. “We do like to educate the consumer that although they do have the same chemical properties of a natural diamond, they do not carry the same resale factor. It’s like driving a car off the lot. You have a depreciation factor there. Clients always come first, and we are here to give them what they want with a vast selection of natural diamonds and an assortment of lab-grown diamonds.”

Grace has worked in the jewelry industry for 36 years. She has a passion for jewelry and is committed to staying on top of the latest trends and techniques in the industry. “We see a lot of trends coming back full circle from the 1980s, all yellow gold, and that simple, classic style for an engagement ring of a yellow gold solitaire mounting,” Grace said. “We travel to all the jewelry shows to see the latest trends, what’s coming in from different manufacturers, and keep up with what’s happening in modern jewelry.”

“In today’s market some people think jewelry is for older people,” she said. “That’s not necessarily true. We have clients from the 20-year-olds getting engaged to the 70-yearolds buying an anniversary gift. Whether it’s a birthday or anniversary or engagement, it’s all happy times [for us].”

The store also carries pre-owned luxury handbags like Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci and certified, pre-owned Rolex watches, “Everything is in like-new condition,” Grace said. “We have a huge selection of pre-owned Rolexes, which are hard to get. I do a lot on social media where clients can see a new luxury handbag or a new piece of diamond jewelry that has come into the store. And I do have a case specifically for our Estate Collection jewelry.” Johnson Diamond Jewelers is creating a space where people can come for luxury items in one spot. Financing options are available.

“We work to get a feel for what the client is looking for. We try to find out who they’re purchasing the piece for and lead them in the direction of something they might like. When a client is getting ready for a proposal, it’s a very exciting time for them, and we try to educate them and help them make the best decision.”

Whether you’re in the market for a stunning engagement ring, a custom piece of jewelry, or just some expert advice, Grace and her team are always ready to provide personalized attention. They work closely with clients to understand their needs and preferences, and they use this information to source or create customized pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind.

985-951-2089 | 12 St. Ann Dr. in Mandeville

JohnsonDiamondJewlers.com