Butterfield Jewelers was founded in 1928 in Pana, Illinois by Ernest Bernard Butterfield Sr. after managing jewelry stores in Indiana and Illinois. In 1945, the Butterfield family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico and opened their store across from the University of New Mexico. His son, Ernest Bernard Butterfield, Jr. (Bernie), joined his father in business after graduating from Albuquerque High School. He studied watchmaking at Precision Instrument Laboratory, Los Angeles and Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois. He also attended the University of New Mexico School of Business. Bernie took over the operation of the family business upon the death of his father in 1954. The firm affiliated with the American Gem Society in 1966 and currently has six titleholders. The store moved in 1975, and Bernie acquired and renamed the center Butterfield Plaza to mark 65 years of business. In addition to Bernie and his wife, Anne, employees include a son, a daughter, and a son-in-law. Also on staff are three Master Goldsmiths and three Master Watchmakers who are Swiss trained. Quality, personal service is the top priority at Butterfield Jewelers.

Nancy and Stephen Attaway collaborate on one-of-a-kind jewelry designs that they regard as wearable pieces of art. Nancy has been cutting gemstones since 1987, and Steve carves gemstones and renders the gold work with CAD/CAM, hand-fabrication, and lost wax casting. 

  

Several of Nancy's original faceting designs and her articles on faceting appeared in Lapidary Journal, Rock & Gem, and faceting guild newsletters across the US and outside the country. Lapidary Journal published Steve's articles on the mechanics of gem polishing.

 

In 2004, Steve and Nancy researched the Hope Diamond on a special project with the Smithsonian that was televised in February, 2005 on the Discovery Channel. Nancy faceted a replica of the French Blue Diamond, from which the Hope Diamond was cut, and this replica appeared on the cover of the June 2005 issue of Lapidary Journal that also published her article on the Hope Diamond project. Nancy has a gem on permanent display in the Smithsonian's Gem and Mineral Hall, an 85-carat "Eye of Horus" cut Bolivian ametrine.  

Nancy and Steve have both won awards from the New Mexico Jewelers Association, including several First Place awards and two Premier awards. In 2007, the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) awarded Nancy an Honorable Mention in the Classic Gemstone Category for her 5.85-carat bi-colored modified square Barion Montana sapphire. 

 

High Country Gems cuts custom gemstones designs and repairs damaged stones. They also provide computer-aided designs for custom jewelry designs using unique gemstones, and they use the latest in rapid prototyping to create waxes for casting.

 

Nancy has served on the Board of Directors for the New Mexico Jewelers Association for six years and was Vice-President.

  

New Mexico Jewelers Association

PO Box 3896

Albuquerque, NM 87190

505-294-7545