About Us

Foundation and Early History

The business was established in 1922 with its original storefront opening at 345 King Street in downtown Charleston after Louis Garfield, a French trained watchmaker, and his wife, Gussie, immigrated from Lublin, Poland. For decades, it operated in the heart of the historic downtown commercial district, developing a highly loyal base of local residents.

The Allen Garfield Era

The store’s monumental growth is closely tied to Allen Garfield (1935–2025), who spent nearly 50 years dedicating his life to building the family enterprise. Under his leadership:

• Regional Prominence: He transformed the single storefront into a household name that attracted customers from far beyond the immediate Lowcountry.
• Expansion: At one point, the downtown business successfully expanded into additional satellite locations across West Ashley, James Island, and North Charleston.
• The Citadel Tradition: The store developed a storied local tradition where generations of graduating seniors and alumni from The Citadel would converge on the store to purchase engagement rings, relying entirely on Allen’s trusted counsel.

Relocations and Modern Era

As Charleston’s commercial landscape shifted, the business evolved its footprint.

• South Windermere: After decades on King Street, Garfield Jewelers moved its operations to the South Windermere Shopping Center, where it operated successfully for many years.
• Savannah Highway: In November of 2010, the store relocated to its current, bright, and spacious showroom at 1711 Savannah Highway in the West Ashley area.

Today, the business remains family-operated under the leadership of Allen’s wife, Suzanna Garfield. It continues to maintain its century-old commitment to customer service and craftsmanship while managing on-site jewelry repairs, engravings, and custom design projects.

Our Team