IN Better Business: Boudreaux’s Jewelers
GLOBALIZATION HAS TURNED many jewelry stores into merchants, selling pieces made overseas or by other companies—but Boudreaux’s Jewelers stands apart. For four generations, the Boudreaux family has proudly manufactured jewelry locally, employing a full team of skilled jewelers and designers who create and customize each piece in-house.
“It puts us in a position to offer the best advice to clients on the version of a particular piece that may best suit their needs, since we handle every step of the production process,” explains Brandon Boudreaux, great-grandson of founder Gilmore Boudreaux Sr. Gilmore Sr. began his career as a craftsman, working behind the scenes as a jeweler. After observing changes in the market, he opened his own brick-and-mortar shop in 1933— the height of the Great Depression! Taking a daring leap into his entrepreneurial goals, he became very successful, and, in the 1950s, he transitioned into retail. Today, Brandon— continuing the family legacy as Boudreaux’s Chief Operating Officer and Lead Designer—carries on that same passion for craftsmanship and innovation.
“Creating my first piece for a client was unforgettable,” Brandon recalls. “I spent months teaching myself CAD software to design it. Seeing the piece come to life, and the client’s face when they opened the box, was something I’ll never forget.”
For the Boudreaux family, delighting and exceeding customers’ expectations is more than a business model; it’s a family value. Brandon, his father, uncles, and brother continue to uphold that tradition every day. “I knew I wanted to become a jeweler to carry on the family legacy and to help our clients celebrate those very special moments in their lives,” he explains. Growing up in the Old Metairie and Mandeville stores, Brandon watched his father beam with joy each time a client smiled, whether it was over a restored heirloom or a newly finished engagement ring. Those moments of shared happiness left a lasting impression.
Now, Brandon walks fully in his great-grandfather’s footsteps, sharing that same warmth and creativity with his own children. “Having my kids come into the store and play with the tools and equipment is the highlight of my day,” he says. He fondly remembers doing the same—making photocopies of his hands, playing with the old registers, and growing up surrounded by the sparkle of craftsmanship and family tradition.
As Boudreaux’s Jewelers prepares to break ground in 2026 on an expansion and renovation of its Mandeville location, clients can look forward to seeing the store double in size. The workshop will also grow, allowing Boudreaux’s to craft even more pieces manufactured in-house. The store will remain fully operational throughout construction—“so no need to worry for our Northshore clients!” Brandon assures. This exciting expansion marks another milestone in the care for clients and the enduring legacy of Boudreaux’s Jewelers.
Boudreaux’s Jewelers: boudreauxsjewelers.com Metairie Location: 701 Metairie Rd., Metairie, LA 70005, (504) 8312602. Mandeville Location: 4550 Hwy. 22, Mandeville, LA 70471, (985) 626-1666.