Two locally owned jewelery stores figure to have an excellent holiday shopping season by offering everything from expensive custom diamond creations to more cost-conscious selections that will please even the most frugal.

Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds and Fine Jewelry

Thanks to a strikingly beautiful jewelry collection and an immediately recognizable radio and TV commercial jingle, Becky Beauchine Kulka has created a brand name out of herself over the last 21 years.

There is clearly only one Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds and Fine Jewelry. An Okemos fixture for many years, Kulka has created a visually stunning store with plush purple carpet and a six-foot saltwater aquarium.

But the stars of the store are Kulka’s custom jewelry designs. Her store is full of jewelry you won’t find at any of the mall stores.

“The entire experience is different than the mall. The ambiance is very welcoming here.,” Kulka says. “And much of our jewelry is unique and not mass produced. A lot of people can recognize jewelry as coming from our store.”

Kulka said she expects diamonds, always seemingly in vogue, to be very popular this holiday shopping season but at certain price points.

“I’m sensing a more positive attitude from shoppers. People will be cost conscious but still be very interested in fashion. We just have to make sure we have the right product,” Kulka says.

With an almost all-female staff, except for the onsite goldsmith, Kulka’s jewelry store is 3,000-square-feet of dazzle and sparkle. The store is softly feminine with curved showcases and beautiful lighting.

“The lighting in a jewelry store is critical. But you can make anything sparkle under enough light. We have several natural light areas and even a chandelier that mimics candlelight. Jewelry will perform differently under various lighting. We want to make sure they see what they are buying under all lighting conditions,” Kulka adds.

The challenges of running a small business during a deep recession are numerous and obvious, says Kulka, yet she enjoys the everyday of running a business and a family.

“I wake up happy everyday; I really do. I have such a positive outlook. I enjoy life and love the business and try to be hands on,” Kulka exclaims. Kulka also admits she is extremely grateful for the support of the mid-Michigan community during the past 21 years.

“I’m extremely proud of this community and so happy to be a part of it. We have supported one another all the way,” Kulka says.

Linn & Owen Jewelers

Sentimental and economic reasons are enough to keep Linn & Owen Jewelers and its owner Stewart Powell in Downtown Lansing. The city’s oldest family owned and operated jeweler has been in Powell’s family since the mid-1970s. The store was founded in Lansing in the 1800s.

“There are many advantages to being downtown. I’m a nostalgic person and have so many memories of being downtown,” says Powell, who purchased the business from an uncle in 1993.

The strength of downtown are the thousands and thousands of potential customers working everyday within blocks of here, he said, and all of the new entertainment venues keeping those downtown employees within walking distance after hours.

“Not that downtown was ever dead, but I think there is a renewed energy in downtown Lansing. It’s very vibrant and I love being here,” Powell says.

Like most retailers, the Christmas holiday shopping period is the busiest time of the year for Powell and his staff. He’s optimistic about what the shopping season will bring this year.

Linn & Owen, a full-service jewelry store that sells jewelry, watches and clocks, will feature reasonably priced and durable classic and fashionable designs this holiday season, Powell says.

“People are especially sensitive to price right now. One thing people do during recessions is they buy things that look classic and are long lasting. Our focus has always been to stick with classic rather than fad,” Powell adds.

Powell, a big believer in buying from other local businessowners, said the strength of stores like Linn & Owen is the attention they to pay to customer service. “The stores at the malls are merchandisers, not different really than a grocer who puts a can of beans on a shelf to sell. They put jewelry out that will sell. There is nothing wrong with that; it’s just not our operation. There are very few full-service jewelry stores left in the country. We focus on personal attention,” Powell says. “Plus was can fix it all.”