In 1941, Ben Fox opened Bay Street Jewelers, the first full-line jewelry store in Beaufort, SC. After his retirement in 1978, his daughter and son-in law, Phyllis and Paul Isaac, purchased the business. Mark Stokes, an AGS Certified Gemologist and a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, CA was hired as a manager in 1982.

Mark had previously worked for two other family guild stores, Galloway & Moseley Jewelers in his hometown of Sumter, SC and Sylvan Jewelers in Columbia, SC.  In 1991, Mark and his wife, Terri, a graduate of USC with a degree in Business Administration – Management, purchased the historic downtown jewelry store and renamed it Fox-Bay Street Jewelers, d.b.a. Bay Street Jewelers.  Bay Street Jewelers is a member of several elite industry groups, including: the American Gem Society (AGS) - the highest rating a jewelry store can achieve based on ethics, knowledge and consumer protection; the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC); the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO); and the Retail Jewelers Organization (RJO). We are also a member of Jewelers of America (JA) and very involved in the South Carolina Jewelers Association (SCJA), where Mark and Terri were both past Presidents.

 At Bay Street Jewelers we take pride in our in-store custom designing and consulting. We specialize in jewelry and watch repairs. Appraisals are prepared by Mark, our Certified Gemologist. Personalized diamond buying is also available, as are Antwerp Diamond Services.  Bay Street’s motto is “Doing Business with Southern Hospitality” because we want everyone to feel at home when shopping here. We believe in building client relationships with honesty, integrity and a distinctive collection of fine jewelry. Our staff is knowledgeable and participates in continuing education courses through the American Gem Society, Jewelers of America and the Gemological Institute of America. Whatever your jewelry needs, Bay Street Jewelers is here to assist you in making a quality choice that you will be happy with for years to come.