Custom Gems

Gems, Jewelry, and Unique Finds

By Angella Arndt

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Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind gift this holiday season? A unique piece of jewelry? Intriguing home décor items like sculptures or carvings? What about crafting supplies for silversmithing, tools to cut and polish stone, or gemstones and crystals? Whether you are seeking a custom jewelry piece, jewelry repair, or a meaningful gift, the knowledgeable staff at Custom Gems is ready to help.

This locally owned business is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! Founded in 1975 by Ed and Erma Pharaoh, the shop began with a passion for the natural beauty of stones. Ed, an earth science teacher, collected rocks and minerals as a hobby before opening the store. He taught lapidary classes (that is, the art of cutting and polishing stone). His wife, Erma, taught silversmithing.

After three decades, the Pharaohs retired in 2005 and sold Custom Gems to Chuck Swanson, who added international elements to the store, inspired by his global travels. Tim Kautsch, who managed the store under Chuck’s ownership, purchased the business on April 1, 2009. 

Tim’s connection to Custom Gems began at the age of 16, when he joined his father in one of Ed’s lapidary classes. Tim developed a passion for working with stones and began creating jewelry. After high school, he worked part-time at the store before becoming a full-time employee. Tim pursued a degree in gemology and graduated from the Gemological Institute of America in 1995. 

Custom Gems serves jewelry collectors and rock, mineral, and gem enthusiasts. The shop offers a wide range of services, including custom jewelry design and fabrication, custom casting, rock tumbling, and laser welding. Visitors will also find a wide selection of original-design jewelry, silversmithing and lapidary tools and supplies, home décor pieces, and an impressive array of gemstones, crystals, and minerals. 

Custom Gems offers a full range of jewelry services. In addition to designing custom pieces, the team provides services such as gem and stone setting, jewelry repair, ring sizing, earring post and clip conversions, bead and pearl stringing, wire wrapping, and watch battery replacement. 

The team performs all jewelry services on site. The design process begins with a drawing. Next, a wax model is created from the drawing. Once the design is approved by the customer, the final piece is cast, polished, and set. 

Tim and his staff can reuse gold, silver, and stones in existing pieces to create new designs. “Sometimes a client would like to reuse metal for sentimental reasons, but would like a different piece,” Tim shares. “We can also divide a piece so that several family members can each have a piece to treasure.” For Tim, helping clients turn their stories or milestones into jewelry is deeply meaningful. “Whether it marks a new beginning or honors a memory, every custom piece has a story,” he says. 

Tim offers advice for those considering a custom jewelry design. “It helps when clients bring photos or drawings of pieces they like,” he notes. “That gives us a clear starting point and helps define their style.” Clients should consider which metals and gemstones appeal to them. Also, think about practical details such as your budget and your desired timeline. 

When asked about current trends, Tim notes that more people are seeking ethically sourced stones. Some clients are moving away from mined diamonds in favor of lab-grown diamonds or colored gemstones. “Sapphires and green moss agate are especially popular,” he says. 

The store features an impressive selection of original-design jewelry in gold, silver, and stainless steel, along with chains, diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones, and polished gemstones known as cabochons. Customers will also find unpolished gemstones, crystals, minerals, and more than 300 jars of tumbled stones.

Though the store’s name suggests a focus on gems, they offer much more. Customers will find wide array of home décor, carvings, books, and the area’s most extensive collection of minerals and fossils. Unique home décor items include stone clocks, gem trees, stone-carved wildlife, and soapstone carvings from the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. Tim notes that children are especially fascinated by the freeze-dried insects, shark teeth, dinosaur bones, and meteorites. 

Tim’s approach to customer service is simple. “Our goal is to make our clients happy. Honesty and trust are what we live by.” He finds it especially rewarding to see a client’s smile when a custom piece is completed or a cherished item is repaired. “Creating jewelry that can be treasured for a lifetime is incredibly gratifying,” he says. 

Custom Gems is located at 8487 Frederick Street, in Omaha. The store is open Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You can find them online at customgemsomaha.com or reach them by phone at 402-397-9606. 

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