Bluestone Jewelry is proud to be a family-owned and -operated business. Marc and Linda Bigelow and their sons, Benton and Aaron, founded Bluestone Jewelry in Tahoe City in 2007 and added a Truckee location in 2012. Now, as they move toward retirement, Aaron and Benton are taking over — and taking the business to a whole new level while retaining its core values.
Benton operates the Tahoe City location, which offers a stunning view of Lake Tahoe, and Aaron operates the Downtown Truckee location, which has a special surprise – a wine bar! – in the back. Together the brothers run a united business focused on technology and customization and dedicated to customer service. Bluestone has been voted Best Jeweler in a local competition for seven years running and was recently named the Most Unique Store in the Tahoe area.
Benton says one of the keys to staying relevant and keeping guests happy is “to keep bringing in new things and new ideas.”
And you will find plenty of exciting new things at Bluestone. If you’re looking for something Tahoe-themed, they have more variety than any other jeweler by tenfold. The Tahoe pieces are their most popular sellers. The team at Bluestone has custom-made, lake-themed items ranging in price from $40 to $40,000. Whether you’re local, a second homeowner or a visitor, Bluestone is the place to find a memorable, distinctive Tahoe keepsake.
A popular aspect of the business is using computer-aided design (CAD) to create one-of-a-kind pieces for women and men. A growing trend is customized wedding bands for grooms.
“We literally have over a million options on how to design men’s rings,” Aaron says.
Bluestone is known for its masterful repurposing of jewels and gems. If a customer brings in an old family heirloom, the Bluestone team can create a new vision to take the old stones into the new era. They can even craft a new item from several different pieces. With CAD technology, the designer and customer can look at the piece from all angles before it’s crafted.
“It’s always fun because it’s a creative process where we can fill in the blanks,” Aaron says.
Lab-grown diamonds have become some of the most sought-after stones for jewelry lovers. They have all the features of mined diamonds but are more affordable.
“This gives customers the chance to build a ring with a two- or three-carat diamond vs. a carat or less,” Benton says.
Just like their parents have always been, the brothers are committed to building strong relationships with new and repeat customers.
“We try to out-service anyone,” Benton says. “We greet each person like someone who has come over to our house.”
Aaron agrees, saying, “They’re more like friends than customers.”
Part of that amazing service includes creating wishlists for their guests. This is perfect for partners who are looking for anniversary or holiday gifts. Rather than jotting down in your phone what you think someone may like, Bluestone creates a detailed list for you to look back on at any point.
Beyond their variety of jewelry, Bluestone also features artwork by local designers. Whether you’re in the market for a new piece of wall art to add to your collection, looking for a pair of earrings made locally or want something truly one-of-a-kind, the walls and displays are lined with art and jewelry that’s only sold at Bluestone.
The Truckee location’s wine bar welcomes guests to taste and purchase local wines. All the wines featured in the wine cellar are from within two hours of Tahoe; you won’t find any Napa or Sonoma wines here. Two custom wines are only sold at Bluestone: the Oso the Bear Blend and the Rainbow Verdot.
Next time you’re in the Tahoe area, pop into Bluestone Jewelry to discover something unique and unexpected. Whether you’re looking for a souvenir to remember your vacation, creating a custom engagement ring, shopping for art or looking for a great glass of wine, there’s something for everyone.
Bluestone offers more than 100 different Lake Tahoe-shaped and Truckee/Tahoe-related styles in pendants, rings, earrings and bracelets.
(530) 581-4298
bluestonetahoe.com
495 N. Lake Boulevard, #170
Tahoe City, CA
(530) 582-0429
10046 Donner Pass Road, #3
Truckee, CA
About the Author Cassidy Mitchell
Cassidy received her master's degree in publishing and writing in Boston, where she wrote for print magazines and digitally for Wayfair's lifestyle brands. In search of sunshine, she moved to North Lake Tahoe, where she bakes, blogs and bartends. Most evenings you can find her at home with her cat, Fiddlehead, reading or researching a new project.
