Bringing smiles to customers’ faces has been a tradition for van der Veen Jewelers for many years. Whether the occasion is an anniversary, engagement or “just because,” those who purchase their jewelry from Jann van der Veen will receive a one-of-a-kind piece that is handmade and of superior quality.
“Being a small, independent company allows us to focus on our customers,” said Jann. “We build relationships and take the time to make sure our customers get exactly what they want, creating a custom piece if needed. We don’t carry what you find everywhere else. We know it is important to have unique pieces that you won’t see on your best friend. That, combined with our in-house repair shop, gives us a unique edge.”
Jann van der Veen opened the first location of van der Veen Jewelers in Federal Way on January 1, 2001. The second location was opened In Gig Harbor on September 1, 2014. “Before coming to Washington, I owned and operated a store for many years in Southern California,” said Jann.
In addition to creating unique pieces, van der Veen Jewelers carries a superior grade of diamond jewelry. They offer designer engagement and bridal rings, pendants, earrings, fashion jewelry, gentlemen’s jewelry and exclusively carry Citizen brand watches that are eco-driven, meaning no battery is ever required.
“We offer custom creations, along with a full service jewelry repair shop on-site,” said Jann. “We do everything from new watch batteries and band sizing to repairing prongs and resizing rings. We also offer G.I.A. Certified Appraisals.”
Their stones are all natural and are hand chosen; they do not carry anything that is synthetic or lab created. “Our philosophy is to offer the best quality for your budget,” said van der Veen. “Not all diamonds are the same, our merchandise is hand selected and we carry only premium-cut diamonds.”
All of their repairs are done in-house and all purchases come with a lifetime warranty. And when sizing rings, they do not stretch the gold; they instead add gold to the ring.
As a family owned business for over 50 years, Jann van der Veen is a GIA Graduate Certified Gemologist and Master Jewelry, starting in the industry as an apprentice performing diamond setting and working his way up to management and ownership.
For Jann van der Veen, there have been many factors that have contributed to his success, but he said the biggest influence on him has been the man who mentored him during the late 1960s—Ray Schow.
“I was fortunate enough to meet Ray Schow as part of a small Dutch community in Portland.
Ray took me under his wing, and I was able to learn directly from Ray how to set diamonds in pave` style,” said Jann. “Ray was a perfectionist and demanded the highest quality of work. He later opened the Ray Schow School of Diamond and Jewelry Design along with publishing ‘The Art of Diamond Setting.’”
Jann was born and raised in Amsterdam at the end of World War II; his family immigrated to the United States, settling in Portland, when he was a teenager. He spent time in Southern California where he met his wife and where they raised three children. They moved to Gig Harbor 24 years ago to be closer to family; a move they are thrilled they made.
“Being in the Gig Harbor community has been a dream achieved. We love providing our experience and expertise in our hometown,” said van der Veen. “Nothing is more satisfying than sharing your trade and passion with people you know and your neighbors.”
van der Veen Jewelers
4711 Point Fosdick Dr NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
253.514.8478