About Us

Although Dems has been a family retail business since September 1, 1969, our grandfathers were also in the jewelry business. We were in the diamond wholesale business for more than 40 years, until my father retired. Although we still do some wholesale business to a few select independent stores, we have made the retail consumer our customer base.

I started out while still in high school, learning from the ground up. I had gained plenty of knowledge from my family and from two of the finest bench jewelers in the Southeast--the father and son team whose last name was Dems. They taught me repair work, and this is the reason our store is named Dems. After learning repair work, manufacturing, refinishing, and minor watch repair, I began to learn the management end of the jewelry business. This, of course, led me into buying and dealing with the public on a regular basis.

My sister, who has also grown up in this business, manages our books and our employees, and buys earrings, gold, silver, and crystal products. We have worked together for more than 20 years, and we still love each other! We have a wonderful working relationship.

In June 1980, my sister and I completed the Gemological Institute of America courses. I must admit that, with all the informal training and having grown up around this industry, it was fairly easy for both of us.

I have helped train and answered questions for several area jewelers taking the Gemological Institute of America courses. Dems has a complete gem laboratory, which has been used by many people for their Gemological Institute of America training and for the identification of unknown stones.

In the past, I have taught jewelry-making classes at the University of South Carolina, done appraisal work, and testified as an expert witness for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I have also done appraisal work and stone identification for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. I have given many lectures to garden clubs, church groups, etc., on jewelry and stones.

In 1998, we joined the Gemological Institute of America Advanced Retail Management System team. I completed my Advanced Retail Management course in 1999; my sister completed her Advanced Retail Management course in 2000. While we continue our education, we will, in turn, continue to educate the public.

Dems prides itself on being honest and offering fair pricing. We do not sell anything under false pretenses. In this day of Internet commerce, many people will lose money due to misrepresentation and non-delivery of merchandise. This is why we make public our hours of operation, phone number, and fax number. I will be glad to supply as many references as necessary to gain your respect.

We are members of our local Better Business Bureau, The Jewelers Board of Trade, Jewelers of America, and The Jewelers Security Alliance. Our store, and the merchandise being shipped to you, is covered by The Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company.

I hope that, with this brief introduction, we have earned your confidence in the integrity of our business and the family behind it. If I may be of any help to you, please contact me.

Sincerely,
Steve Livingston, VP
Dems Fine Jewelers