Wayne and Beth's enthusiasm for the jewelry business is embraced by the next generation of Guntzvillers: their son Jeff is the General Manager and runs day-to-day operations and their daughter Julie is the Inventory Manager. Both join their parents in the store, where they and the rest of the staff strive daily to fulfill their mission:
Our top-notch sales and creative teams have earned, through their integrity, professionalism, and expertise, the most precious gift customers can give: their trust.
Several long-time employees have grown with the store through changes reflecting shifts in the retail jewelry industry. What hasn't changed is Miner's North's commitment to customer service excellence. On staff are:
Miner's North wants you to benefit from trends and innovations in the jewelry trade. The Guntzviller's sponsor ongoing education for their employees, bringing the industry's most revered consultants to Traverse City or sending employees to national seminars on customer service and craftsmanship.
Beth's parents owned a jewelry store in suburban Detroit (called Miner's Den), where she worked as a young adult. Wayne grew up on his family's farm and was always a rockhound. The two met in northern Michigan and found mutual love: for each other and the jewelry business.
Wayne and Beth Guntzviller (Jeff and Julie's parents), starting the store here in 1975 as a rock shop, which carried the Petoskey stones, greenstones and copper Wayne found, as well as the lapidary equipment for fellow rockhounds and the era's ever-popular macrame cord and wooden beads. The reason it’s called Miner’s North is because Jeff’s grandpa started Miner’s Den in Royal Oak/Detroit in 1971 and he had a family history dating back to the 1800s in the California gold rush, which is where the term Miner’s came from. Two years after opening the rock shop, they relocated the store to the heart of downtown and added gold charms and chains and, finally, diamonds. They moved the store again almost 20 years later, to expand their retail space.
Jeff has taken the store to where it is today, he’s passionate about helping customers find exactly what they are looking for. He’s been here full-time since graduating college but says “working” in the store is one of his earliest memories and Miner’s North has always been a big part of his life. After graduation, Jeff went to GIA to become a graduate gemologist. Jeff’s vision is to be THE diamond destination and leading jewelry store in all of Northern MI, while also offering a memorable experience for each and every customer that comes through our doors. He makes sure that we are all trained in top industry trends, with the most up-to-date equipment and best new practices possible.
Julie, Beth and Wayne’s daughter, and Jeff’s sister also plays a huge role in the family business as the Inventory Manager. She started off her career as a teacher but came over to the family business after she had children. Her role is more behind the scenes but equally important in the success of our business.
Today, Wayne, Beth, Julie, and Jeff are proud to call Miner's North northern Michigan's most progressive jewelry store. The growth of the business is the result of the vision, expertise and dedication of everyone at Miner's North.
