About Us

About Tuel Jewelers

Tuel Jewelers was established in 1945 by Certified Watchmaker and Jeweler, Roy P. Tuel, as a watch repair shop taking in mostly Railroad Watch Repair and Certification. As the years passed, Tuel Jewelers expanded into a full-service jewelry store offering watch, jewelry, and silver repair along with retail sales. Tuel Jewelers and its associates are members of:

  • Jewelers of America (JA)
  • Virginia Jewelers Association (VJA)
  • Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Alumni Association
  • GIA-Washington DC Alumni Association
  • Horological Association of Virginia (HAV)
  • National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC)

Tuel Jewelers was established in 1945 by Certified Watchmaker and Jeweler, Roy P. Tuel, as a watch repair shop taking in mostly Railroad Watch Repair and Certification. As the years passed, Tuel Jewelers expanded into a full-service jewelry store offering watch, jewelry, and silver repair along with retail sales. Tuel Jewelers and its associates are members of:

  • Jewelers of America (JA)
  • Virginia Jewelers Association (VJA)
  • Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Alumni Association
  • GIA-Washington DC Alumni Association
  • Horological Association of Virginia (HAV)
  • National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC).

About the Team at Tuel Jewelers

Frances Loose

Mrs. Frances G. Loose, owner, began working at Tuel Jewelers after graduation from Meriwether Lewis High School in 1953. She was hired as the bookkeeper, but soon began to assist the watchmakers with materials and fitting parts. She attended Jefferson Business School to complete her business education, and learned the jewelry business from the ground up.

 

After purchasing the business in 1975, she maintained the same level of quality service that Tuel Jewelers has always been known for. Mrs. Loose holds a Diamonds Certificate from Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Mrs. Loose worked for many years with her two daughters and two grandsons. "Momma Loose" as she was well known passed away in 2018.

Frances Loose

Mrs. Frances G. Loose, owner, began working at Tuel Jewelers after graduation from Meriwether Lewis High School in 1953. She was hired as the bookkeeper, but soon began to assist the watchmakers with materials and fitting parts. She attended Jefferson Business School to complete her business education, and learned the jewelry business from the ground up.

 

After purchasing the business in 1975, she maintained the same level of quality service that Tuel Jewelers has always been known for. Mrs. Loose holds a Diamonds Certificate from Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Mrs. Loose worked for many years with her two daughters and two grandsons. "Momma Loose" as she was well known passed away in 2018.

Frances Loose

Mrs. Frances G. Loose, owner, began working at Tuel Jewelers after graduation from Meriwether Lewis High School in 1953. She was hired as the bookkeeper, but soon began to assist the watchmakers with materials and fitting parts. She attended Jefferson Business School to complete her business education, and learned the jewelry business from the ground up.

 

After purchasing the business in 1975, she maintained the same level of quality service that Tuel Jewelers has always been known for. Mrs. Loose holds a Diamonds Certificate from Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Mrs. Loose worked for many years with her two daughters and two grandsons. "Momma Loose" as she was well known passed away in 2018.

Tuel Jewelers Current Owners

The store is currently operated by Mary Loose DeViney and Hunter AW Loose.


Mrs. Mary Loose DeViney is the oldest daughter of Mrs. Frances G. Loose. She grew up in the jewelry business working after school and summers at Tuel Jewelers. Mary Loose graduated from Albemarle High School in 1982, and after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Mary Washington College, she returned to Tuel Jewelers. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science Degree in Mineralogy.

 

She has formal appraisal training by completing the Jewelers Board of Appraisal Review/Jewelers Vigilance Committee Appraisal Basics and the extensive Anna Miller's Master Value Program/California Institute of Jewelry Training and Korean Jewelry Institute Registered Master Value. She has a certificate in Swiss Pocket Watch Repair from the Mid-Atlantic Horological Symposium held at the Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies, and has taken courses in lost wax casting and stone carving.

 

Mary Loose volunteers with the Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses-Virginia, and local civic groups.

Jewelers of America Certificates

  • Counter Intelligence
  • Jewelry 101
  • Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
  • Certified Senior Sales Professional (CSSP)
  • Certified Management Professional (CMP)
  • Certified Senior Management Professional (CSMP)

Gemological Institute of America Certificates

  • Graduate Diamonds
  • Colored Stones
  • Pearls
  • Graduate Gemologist

The Tuel Jewelers Team

Hunter AW Loose, Frances Loose's eldest grandson, graduated from Covenant School and attended Radford University.

 

Tuel Jewelers has a host of certified watchmakers, jewelers, silversmiths, stone cutters, and hand engravers to serve our customers.

Jewelers of America Certificates

  • Counter Intelligence
  • Jewelry 101
  • Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
  • Certified Senior Sales Professional (CSSP)
  • Certified Management Professional (CMP)
  • Certified Senior Management Professional (CSMP)

Gemological Institute of America Certificates

  • Graduate Diamonds
  • Colored Stones
  • Pearls
  • Graduate Gemologist

The Tuel Jewelers Team

Hunter AW Loose, Frances Loose's eldest grandson, graduated from Covenant School and attended Radford University.

 

Tuel Jewelers has a host of certified watchmakers, jewelers, silversmiths, stone cutters, and hand engravers to serve our customers.

Jewelers of America Certificates

  • Counter Intelligence
  • Jewelry 101
  • Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
  • Certified Senior Sales Professional (CSSP)
  • Certified Management Professional (CMP)
  • Certified Senior Management Professional (CSMP)
  • Counter Intelligence
  • Jewelry 101
  • Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
  • Certified Senior Sales Professional (CSSP)
  • Certified Management Professional (CMP)
  • Certified Senior Management Professional (CSMP)

Gemological Institute of America Certificates

  • Graduate Diamonds
  • Colored Stones
  • Pearls
  • Graduate Gemologist

The Tuel Jewelers Team

Hunter AW Loose, Frances Loose's eldest grandson, graduated from Covenant School and attended Radford University.

 

Tuel Jewelers has a host of certified watchmakers, jewelers, silversmiths, stone cutters, and hand engravers to serve our customers.

Find out how the team at Tuel Jewelers can help you select a gift for yourself or for a loved one. Stop by our store at 319 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, or call us at 434-295-4258.

Share by: