Affordable Jewelry opens on Mineral Avenue

Getting quality jewelry for a reasonable price can be difficult. Ray Graves is hoping to change that with his new store located on the corner of Highway 2 and Mineral Avenue.

“This is for the people that can’t afford to spend a ton of money at a jewelry store,” Graves said. “It’s affordable jewelry. I have nothing here that runs over $60, and it’s quality jewelry. It’s well worth it. The jewelry is worth more, but I get a good deal on it, so I want to give the people in this community a good deal on it. At most jewelry stores you can’t get much, if anything for $100. When you come here you can get a few nice items for $100 and leave happy.”

This is the first full week of business for Graves and he said things have been slow, but he thinks that will change when word gets out about his store.

“I’m trying to get going here,” he said. “It’s the first week as far as sales goes. It’s been slow, but I don’t have my advertisements out there yet.”

Graves said that the people who have stopped in have been pleased and excited about the new business in Libby.

“I had a girl come in and she was really excited,” he said. “She bought five pieces. Everybody that has come in is really excited about it. They all tell me that they are going to tell their friends and family.”

Before opening his store, Graves sold his jewelry at the local farmers markets and other town events.

“I’ve been collecting jewelry for the past two years,” he said. “I was going to the local farmers markets. I had stands at the events like Logger Days and Ignite the Nites. I just got tired of moving all this stuff around all the time. I decided to get a store. I have so much of this stuff. I decided it was time for me to put it out there for the public. I just had a feeling that it would do well. I started out small working the streets and different shows. I did good there, so I went to work trying to get my own store.”

Graves said he wanted to open up his store to give the people of Lincoln County a place to get affordable jewelry.

“People in Lincoln County need this,” he said. “There really isn’t a jewelry store in the area. I’m here to give people a good price so they don’t feel like they are getting robbed. This jewelry is sterling silver, stainless steel. I got titanium pieces. I’ve got nine and 24-carat gold. It’s just really nice stuff. I’m hoping people stop in to see the quality of the products.”

Graves said that he has a wide range of products for people.

“I’ve got something for everybody,” he said. “There is something for Christians. There is stuff for gothic.”

Working in a small community, Graves is hoping to build a solid relationship with the people in the community.

“I want them to feel comfortable so they come back and deal with me again,” he said. “I want them to feel good about their experience. The price is right and I’ll come down on the prices. I want people to leave here happy.”

Before collecting jewelry Graves worked construction before retiring.

“I worked as a construction hand for most of my life,” he said. “I’m more or less from Libby. I’m from Montana originally. I lived in Washougal, Wash., and moved from there to Libby in 2000. I have been here ever since. This gives me something to do. It keeps me busy instead of just sitting at home. I hope it does well. I have a feeling it will based off the excitement of the people that have stopped in already.”

Graves said that if things go well he plans on expanding.

“I have more stuff stored away,” he said. “If I happen to do good I’ll expand my store. I hope to get a better sign. I want something that’s going to shine out there so people can see it. I’ll take it month to month and see how business goes. I can always go back to selling my products at the farmers markets if it doesn’t go well.”

Graves said that if people are looking for an affordable gift for a loved one for a birthday or an early Christmas gift that they should stop by his store and check out his quality products.

“Please come on down and you will be pleased when you leave,” he said. If you are looking for an affordable gift this is the place to stop by.”