Established in 1973, Korman Fine Jewelry is an Austin original. For nearly 50 years, Russell “Rusty” Korman built a reputation as Austin’s leading independent jeweler on the bedrock values of honesty, integrity and generously contributing to the community. Hoping to carry on these values, Kat and Larry Stokes approached Rusty about purchasing his business and a few months later, in November 2018, they struck a deal. “As I got to know Larry and Kat, I just felt instinctively that they would continue to operate with the transparency and integrity that are so important to me and our customers,” Russell Korman said of the transition. “Most independent jewelers have gone by the wayside unless a family member will take it over. KORMAN will be here for the next 30 years. I’m leaving my customers in good hands.” Rusty began his career selling beads in Austin in 1973 on “The Drag,” which refers to the section of Guadalupe Street that runs along the western edge of the University of Texas at Austin. He eventually opened a bead store called Russell’s, first at Dobie Mall and later at Highland Mall. He sold the business to a friend in 1979 and took a few years off before opening Russell Korman Jewelers, a hybrid jewelry retailer and wholesaler, on Congress Avenue in 1983. Fast forward to today and its beautiful 6,000-square foot gallery where customers can see and hold rare, exclusive goods located on the chic shopping corridor of Burnet Road. With three master jewelers and watchmakers onsite, Korman offers the best and most comprehensive in-house jewelry and watch repair in Central Texas.