Holt’s Jewelry carries on the family tradition with the next generation of jewelers

A new generation is taking the reins at one of Wautoma’s longtime family-owned jewelry stores.
Alexandra Holt, the third-generation owner of Holt’s Diamond Jewelers, carries on the family tradition while bringing her own education, training, and vision to the business.
Beyond the classroom, Alex received training through the Gemological Institute of America and spent three months at a goldsmithing school in Nashville, where she learned virtually every aspect of jewelry creation, design, and repair. Her training also included laser skills used in modern jewelry making.
Alex began working at Holt’s in 2016, giving her ten years of hands-on experience in the family business and learning the many facets of operating an independent jewelry store.
Over the years, she has also traveled extensively to expand her knowledge of the jewelry industry. Her travels have taken her to Antwerp, Belgium, known as the diamond capital of the world; Idar-Oberstein, Germany, internationally recognized for its colored-stone industry; as well as Istanbul, Turkey, and Bali, Indonesia. She has also attended major jewelry trade shows throughout the United States, including those in New York and Las Vegas.

That experience has helped Alex develop a broad understanding of diamonds, gemstones, jewelry design, manufacturing, and the business side of the industry.
One of the areas Alex has focused on is building Holt’s online business. What began as an additional way for customers to shop has grown significantly and now accounts for approximately 50 percent of the store’s total sales.
Holt’s also benefits from its membership in the Retail Jewelers Organization (RJO), a cooperative made up of more than 1,000 independent jewelry stores. Through the organization, independent jewelers combine their buying power, allowing stores like Holt’s to compete more effectively with large national jewelry chains while maintaining the personal service and local connection that customers have come to expect.
Although Alex is now leading the business, customers will continue to see a familiar face at Holt’s. Her father, Mark Holt, will continue working at the store Wednesdays through Fridays and will be there every day during the busy Christmas season.
Alex is also surrounded by an experienced team. Full-time employee John Belock brings 40 years of experience as a goldsmith and jeweler. Stacy Frakes has 19 years of experience in the jewelry industry. Mary Belock and Mykayla K.
round out the Holt’s team.
Together, the staff combines decades of jewelry knowledge with Alex’s new-generation approach to the business.
For Alex, taking ownership represents both a new chapter and a continuation of a family story.
Outside of the store, Alex recently married Ryan Davies, a biology teacher and football and track coach at Oshkosh North High School. The couple lives in Oshkosh with their dogs, Bridger and Marigold. Customers may even recognize Marigold, who often accompanies Alex at the store.
As the third generation to lead Holt’s Diamond Jewelers, Alex is embracing the responsibility of preserving the family business while preparing it for the future.
With a combination of traditional craftsmanship, extensive industry training, modern technology, and a growing online presence, Alex is positioning Holt’s for its next chapter — while keeping the family values and personal service that have long been at the heart of the business.