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September 28, 2022

Hidden Gems: Korman Fine Jewelry

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ince it was founded by its previous owner, Russell “Rusty” Korman, in 1973, Korman Fine Jewelry has been an Austin, Texas original. For close to 50 years, Rusty had established a reputation for honesty, integrity and his generous commitment to the community. Drawn to these values, and looking to move to Austin from East Texas, where they’d been working in Larry’s family jewelry business, Kat and Larry Stokes purchased Rusty’s business in November of 2018. The couple set out to bring new life to the store, while also maintaining the principles that are so critical to running a successful fine jewelry business. In doing so, they’ve created a warm, festive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and celebrated. We loved having the chance to sit down with Kat to learn about the store’s unique point-of-view and to hear what COUTURE brands are currently resonating with her clients and why. We also got some insider tips on things to do in Austin, and got Kat’s perspective on why her city is so special.

Austin is very chill with a very relaxed vibe. You could be in the fanciest restaurant in town and inevitably someone will be there in their work out clothes. Everyone belongs here.

COUTURE: What’s your store’s unique point of view?

Kat Stokes: Our unique point of view all starts and stops with our mantra—Celebrate Every Day. Whether that’s our team, our clients or our partners, it’s about celebrating life in general. That was our motto before COVID, and it means more now than ever before; every day is truly a gift. We feel so humbled and honored to be the ones our clients entrust to help celebrate milestones or to commemorate special occasions. A phrase I hear often that I love hearing, is, “It’s like a party in here! The energy is so good, you guys are always smiling and having a good time!” We pride ourselves on being different and unique in the experience that we offer. Of course, we believe we represent the finest jewels on the planet, but it’s really the experience and the relational connections that set us apart; every day is an opportunity to celebrate with someone or with one another.

Walters Faith

We bought the business from Russel “Rusty” Korman, who got his start in 1973 by selling African beads on the drag parallel to the University of Texas (UT). It was that whole peace and love vibe of the 1970’s and he was right there in it! UT’s campus was alive with activists, and it was a revolutionary time in our country; he would sleep on the street to sell his beads and be part of the action. We’re still in it with our clients and with the design; everything is as alive today as it was in 1973!

Larry grew up in the industry, his mom, Susan Robinson, founded her business in Tyler Texas in the mid-80’s, but he never thought he would join her, even though he grew up in and around the business. He ended up joining after college and he fell in love with the people, the industry, the clients, and the diamonds in particular. His first big diamond sale was so exciting; to sell such a rare, unique piece of the earth was thrilling!

Single Stone

When we met, I joined in the family business as well, and through our personal journey, we decided we wanted to be in Austin. Korman’s was, at the time, a little bit sleepy, but Rusty had an amazing reputation as an honest businessperson. In our industry, a sleepy reputation can be changed, but there’s nothing you can do about a bad reputation. We really appreciated Rusty. He’s a hippy at heart and he really thought that we could take his vision and his dream and bring it to another level. We so appreciate him for entrusting us with the business, and we know we’ve made him proud by making the store a special place within the Austin community. It’s become such a tech town, it’s the Silicon Valley of the East, so connecting with people who are innovating and appreciate the craftsmanship and design and all the things that go into each piece has been a good marriage of brands and energies.

Single Stone

COUTURE: What COUTURE designers or brands are your clients really responding to lately and why?

KS: Austin is a very casual city. We have amazing charity events and galas where people get dolled up and wear super fine jewelry, but for the most part, no woman has time to go home and change her clothes and jewelry and re-think everything before she goes out at night. Two of our designers, Single Stone and Walters Faith, are so great and versatile, and the weight and the craftsmanship of their work feels important; the jewelry is beautiful with both Lululemon or for a date night.

Our clients also love Armenta and Emily Armenta is just a gem of a human. She has a beautiful heart and an amazing vision with her company as far as giving back to women and to the earth, her efforts there make her a rock star in our industry.

Uchi Austin

COUTURE: Where’s the best spot in town to grab a quick lunch?

KS: Josephine House is a really cute spot with great salads, amazing sandwiches and a relaxing atmosphere. Picnik started as a food truck and now their actual restaurant is just a short walk down the street from the store. It’s also great for accommodating any special diets, and they have amazing chicken nuggets! We think of Picnik as a healthy guilty pleasure!

COUTURE: Where’s the best restaurant for entertaining clients or out of town guests?

KS: Uchi and Uchiko are from same hospitality group and both of them are great. They have a similar menu and the same vibe, and I have never had a bad meal at either of them. They have great sushi, and they have this salad with an awesome jicama dressing with toasted seeds that is so good.

Walters Faith

COUTURE: What’s your favorite bar?

KS: There are so many great places on 5th Street. Don’s Depot has been there forever, also Dirty Bills is a really great, famous dive bar. There are a lot of speakeasy type places around these parts, but I don’t get out much these days, I’m in bed by 9pm! I do love the Continental Club which has really eccentric music, it’s the cherry on top of a date night for us. Interesting fact, the bouncer at Continental Club also hosts a weekly sweat lodge—I like his range of talents!

Barton Springs natural cold spring swimming pool in downtown in Austin Texas

COUTURE: What’s your favorite local cultural spot (i.e. museum, gallery, theater)?

KS: Barton Springs. It’s a natural spring-fed pool and it’s right downtown. The pool is a consistent 68 degrees year-round, so you can go there to cool off in the summer or warm up in the winter. It has a cult of people who swim there every day, and they have a Polar’s Plunge every New Year’s morning. To me, it is illustrative of why Austin is so awesome. It’s natural beauty preserved with Zilker Park across the street and you can go there and see people of all ages, shapes and sizes; you get a feel for the community with every age group and demographic represented. You can really get a vibe of our culture and our city and the diving board there is where everyone tries to show off their best dives!

Armenta

COUTURE: What’s special about your town?

KS: I love Austin for its culture, its diversity and the green space is really big for me. There are so many parks and lakes and ways to be outside and enjoy yourself. Town Lake is the best spot to go run or walk or catch up with a friend, you can hike and bike the river downtown; any time of day there are people out there. Being your best self is the overall sentiment of the town, it’s not cutthroat. As the tide rises, everyone rises. The general feeling in the community is “let’s all do this together” and I feel that’s very unique.

That’s why the tech culture is thriving; when you’re trying to get people behind your idea, that willingness to help and people surrounding you saying, “Let’s just make this happen, let’s figure it out, this is a great idea, it’s got legs, let’s run with it,” that culture is not in every city in America but that’s how Austin has maintained its uniqueness. We all choose to live here because we love Austin, we love the lakes we respect nature and we respect each other. It’s very rare that you’ll hear anyone honk their horn here so when it happens you think, “Woah! What is going on here?!” Austin is very chill with a very relaxed vibe. You could be in the fanciest restaurant in town and inevitably someone will be there in their work out clothes. Everyone belongs here.

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