Golis Family Jewelers: A Charleston Jewelry Store with Three Generations of Craft
What Golis Family Jewelers Offers
Golis Family Jewelers is a Charleston-based jewelry store run by the Golis family since 1978. The shop specializes in custom jewelry design, jewelry repair, and the sale of fine jewelry including diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals. Unlike chain jewelry retailers, Golis operates as an independent business where you work directly with jewelers who can remake, resize, or repair pieces on-site.
The store is located in downtown Charleston and serves both locals and visitors looking for custom work or repairs. If you bring in an old piece of jewelry that needs restoration, a broken chain, or a stone that's come loose, the jewelers there can assess the work and give you a timeline. For custom pieces, you can work with the designers to create something from scratch or modify an existing design.
Key Takeaways
- Golis Family Jewelers has operated independently in Charleston since 1978 and handles custom design, repairs, and resizing in-house.
- The store works with diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals, and can remake vintage or inherited pieces into new designs.
- Repairs and custom work are completed on-site by the jewelers, so you can discuss timelines and costs directly with the craftspeople doing the work.
- The shop is located in downtown Charleston and welcomes both walk-in customers and those who call ahead to discuss specific projects.
Custom Jewelry Design and Remakes
If you have an idea for a piece of jewelry or want to reimagine something you already own, Golis can work with you through the design process. This might mean taking a family heirloom—a ring, bracelet, or necklace—and redesigning it into something you'll actually wear. The jewelers can also create a piece from scratch if you bring in inspiration photos, sketches, or a detailed description of what you want.
Custom work takes time. The jewelers will discuss the design, the materials you want to use, and the cost before they begin. You'll typically have checkpoints where you can see progress and make adjustments. This is different from buying off-the-shelf jewelry because the piece is made specifically for you, and the jewelers can explain the choices they're making along the way.
Jewelry Repair and Restoration
Golis handles common repairs like replacing broken clasps, resizing rings, restringing beads, and resetting loose stones. They also work on more complex restoration—cleaning and polishing tarnished silver, repairing bent prongs that hold gemstones, or fixing damaged settings. If a piece is damaged but you're not sure whether it's worth fixing, the jewelers can examine it and give you an honest assessment.
Because the work happens in-house, you're not waiting for a piece to be shipped off to a distant repair center. You can drop off your jewelry and get a sense of the timeline directly from the person who will do the work. Some repairs take a few days; others may take longer depending on the complexity and how busy the shop is at that moment.
Working with Diamonds and Gemstones
The store carries diamonds and a range of gemstones, and the jewelers can help you understand what you're looking at if you're shopping for a stone or having one set into a piece. They can also evaluate stones you already own—whether they came from a family ring, an old piece of jewelry, or a stone you've had sitting in a drawer.
If you're buying a diamond or gemstone, you can ask questions about the stone's origin, quality, and how it will look in different settings. The jewelers can show you options and explain the differences in a way that helps you make a decision based on what matters to you, whether that's color, clarity, size, or price.
Visiting Golis Family Jewelers
The store is in downtown Charleston, and you can visit during regular business hours to browse, discuss a repair, or start a custom design project. If you have a specific piece of jewelry you want to bring in, it's often a good idea to call ahead, especially if you want to discuss a complex repair or custom work. This gives the jewelers a heads-up and ensures someone with the right expertise is available to talk with you.
The shop welcomes both people who know exactly what they want and those who are still figuring it out. If you're inheriting jewelry or have a piece that's been in your family for years, the jewelers can help you decide what to do with it—whether that's restoring it, redesigning it, or simply getting it cleaned and polished.
Why Choose an Independent Jeweler
Independent jewelry shops like Golis differ from chain retailers in several ways. You work with the same people who will actually make or repair your piece, so there's no middleman. The jewelers have a stake in the quality of their work because their reputation depends on it. They can also be more flexible about custom requests and timelines because they're not bound by corporate policies.
An independent jeweler also tends to have deeper knowledge about the pieces they work with. They can tell you about the history of a design, suggest materials based on your lifestyle, or explain why a particular approach to a repair will last longer. This kind of conversation is part of what you're paying for when you choose a local, established shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a custom jewelry piece take to make?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of the design and how busy the shop is. Simple pieces might take a few weeks, while more intricate work could take longer. Call or visit to discuss your specific project and get a realistic estimate from the jewelers who will be making it.
Can you resize a ring that's too small or too large?
Yes. Ring resizing is one of the most common repairs jewelers do. The jewelers at Golis can make a ring larger or smaller, and they'll discuss how the resize might affect any stones or decorative elements on the band.
What should I do if I have an old family ring I want to redesign?
Bring it in or call to describe it. The jewelers can examine the piece, talk through what you'd like to change, and explain whether the existing metal and stones can be reused in a new design or if you'll need new materials. They'll give you a cost estimate before they start work.
Do you buy or trade in old jewelry?
Contact the shop directly to ask about buying, trading, or selling jewelry. Policies vary, and the jewelers can tell you what options might be available for your specific pieces.
How much does jewelry repair cost?
Repair costs depend on what needs to be fixed. A simple cleaning might be inexpensive, while resetting a stone or repairing a complex setting will cost more. The jewelers will examine your piece and give you a price before they do the work.