HTG Design Jewelers offers our clients exceptional value in high quality, one-of-a kind jewelry creations. We will work together with you to design a personalized piece that reflects personality, creativity and individuality. We offer our clients: Excellent Ideal-Cut Diamonds Unique, Fine Quality Gemstones Life-time Workmanship Guarantee Expert Jewelry Repair Our family owned business, founded in 1984, has strived to offer our clients uncompromising quality and unsurpassed service at exceptional value. Located in historical Downtown West Bend, HTG Design Jewelers represents the niche between art and ordinary retail jewelry.  In college, Jim Gugg switched majors from veterinary medicine to metalsmithing. And he hasn't looked back since. Jim graduated from Kansas State University in 1980 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts and a major in Metalsmithing. His work was featured in art shows across the country and awards were won for many of his two-dimensional pieces. After settling in Milwaukee with his wife, Joanne, Jim began working in the jewelry industry and 3 years later they started HTG Design Jewelers. When asked what the HTG stands for, Jim quips, Hope To God (this business will survive). The initials actually represent family names. “Most people have goals.

When I graduated from college, my goal was to live off the land given to me by my landlord, located in the Montana wilderness. I took classes that would help me to be self-reliant: metalsmithing to make tools and cooking utensils, and textile classes to use wool to make clothing. Two and three-dimensional artwork to be able to purchase supplies I couldn't make myself. The Good Lord had other plans for me. Three years and two children later, HTG Design Jewelers was born. I originally started out doing repair and design for other jewelers, and at one point was single-handedly working for 13 stores. It was then I decided to open my own retail store. My mission was to make jewelry that didn't have to be repaired because of poor quality workmanship and materials.

Also, to repair jewelry that only had to be repaired once. And I guaranteed that. Twenty-three years and eight kids later, that is still my guarantee. I now can offer my clients some of the most unusual gemstones cut by world class award winning cutters; fine, excellent ideal cut diamonds, called Hearts of Passion, sent directly from the highly skilled cutters in Israel. I work with my clients to come up with designs that are as personal and unique as the person receiving the piece. I can use the gold and stones from existing pieces or supply whatever is needed to create the ultimate piece of jewelry that people have come to expect from my workbench. And all goldsmithing, gold and silver casting, including all repairs, are done here, on our benches.

APPRAISALS Often, your home insurer will require an appraisal of your valuable jewelry to determine the retail replacement value, new, of your particular piece of jewelry. This appraisal is to function as a value estimate for obtaining insurance. The value is representative of the time it is accomplished and the regional market. Retail replacement, new, is defined as the value that is the mode of current sales in the most common and appropriate market for new, like kind, or comparable jewelry. The valuation of the appraised piece is the replacement value at the current date in the local marketplace. A variety of sources are consulted to obtain the value. The specific market addressed is the one in which the jewelry is most commonly sold to consumers by retailers in new condition, a retail jewelry establishment. Measurements of all gemstones and weights are estimates. They are formulated using accepted industry standards. All diamond and gemstone grading reflects the grading standards of the Gemological Institute of America. All jewelry evaluations and appraisals are subjective, and estimates of value may vary. Quality analysis of gemstones is limited by various types of settings, mountings, and lighting conditions. The quality grades might differ if analyzed removed from the mountings, or under different light sources. Metals are identified by electronic testing. Designer and manufacturer is identified from trademarks, hallmarks, or maker’s marks, if present. Considerations in the final estimate of value include quality grading of diamonds and gemstones, metal karatage and weight, designer/artist/manufacturer, type of manufacture, quality of craftsmanship, design, physical condition, repairs needed or performed, supply and demand, and economic conditions of the current jewelry market. The value expressed is based on current market information and no opinion is expressed as to any long range or future value, nor as to any past value. The appraiser has no present or future interest in the purchase and/or resale of the property appraised and the fee for this appraisal is not contingent upon values submitted. The cost of an appraisal is $85 for your first piece and subsequent pieces appraised at the same time receive a price break of $45/each.