Jill LaPrad

Jill has been working with fine jewelry for over 30 years, bringing her expertise and passion to every piece she touches. A graduate of the Bowman Technical School and a member of the JSI team since 1985, Jill took the helm as the owner in 2017. She’s not only a master of her craft but also a dedicated mentor who loves sharing her knowledge with the next generation of jewelers. Jill is incredibly proud of the talented women on her staff and is excited to see the bright future of JSI unfold.

When she’s not in the shop, Jill enjoys tending to her garden, spending time with her husband Dennis, and enjoying life with her two daughters, Katie and Josie. And though her beloved cats, Patches and Ophelia, aren't physically in the store, their playful presence can be felt through the charming painting by David Cochran hanging in the showroom. For Jill, every day is an opportunity to inspire, create, and grow — both in her garden and at JSI.

Katie O'Neil

Katie is a talented bench jeweler who joined us in 2006, bringing her BFA in Crafts from Longwood University, a minor in Business Administration, and advanced training in stone setting from the New Approach School for Jewelers. She’s a master at working with platinum and has a side business creating semi-fine jewelry using silver and unique pearls. When she’s not at her workbench, Katie enjoys family time with her husband and daughter, Meg, whether they’re at art shows or making memories at the lakehouse.

Sally Straight

Meet Sally, our resident Graduate Gemologist who brings both expertise and creativity to our store. With a BFA in Crafts from VCU, where she specialized in metalwork, jewelry, and ceramics, Sally's journey has been anything but ordinary. She earned her Graduate Gemologist credentials from the Gemological Institute of America in 2018 and has a knack for uncovering the unique qualities of stones. Her favorite gem is Labradorite because of how light shines through it - ask her to show you next time you’re in the store! Sally handles insurance appraisals and gem identification, but she’s also an artist at heart. She once cast a pecan shell in bronze and turned it into a beautiful hinged locket!

Sue Scholz

Say hello to Sue, the “oil in our machine”! A graduate of Miami University with a degree in Marketing, she’s played a vital role since joining us in 2004. Sue is a fan of Ohio State football and is responsible for bringing March Madness to JSI. She is a Christmas cookie connoisseur and dreams of having a walk-in pantry to really up her baking game. Sue has been married to her wonderful husband, Chris, for 37 years and considers herself the luckiest girl on earth. Her energy, passion, and business savvy make her a true gem in our team.

Julia Anderson

Meet Julia, a skilled bench jeweler who has been with us since 1999. She studied at VCU and the New Approach School for Jewelers and has an incredible eye for detail. Julia’s craftsmanship shines in every piece she works on, and her dedication to her art makes her a vital part of our team.

Kyra Heron

Kyra is a creative force who brings new life to old treasures. A VCU crafts graduate, she specializes in remaking and reimagining jewelry. Outside of work, Kyra has a passion for baking (she makes the best chocolate sourdough bread!), spending time with her pets — a dog named Lucky and a cat named Stella — and quilting. Kyra also designed her sister’s engagement ring, proving that her skills shine brightest when it comes to personal projects.

Susan Foster

Susan is a versatile artist with a background in glassblowing, metalsmithing, and paper art. She’s known for her meticulous approach to jewelry making and restoration. Susan’s other passions include foraging and gardening — especially for mushrooms! Her cat, Anandi, and a flock of chickens keep her company. If you love a good story behind a piece, Susan is the person to talk to!

Melissa “Mel” Rieg

Meet Mel, a bench jeweler with a love for enameling and a knack for wax carving and metal clay. Mel studied crafts at VCU and brings a lot of creativity to our team. When she’s not at the workbench, you might find her bartending, cooking up delicious dishes, or traveling (The South of France and Germany are her favorites!). She’s also a proud pet parent to Tuna the cat and Ramona the dog, who keep life lively!

Shira Brooks

Shira is our go-to design consultant. She received a BFA in Crafts from VCU, studied metalsmithing, jewelry, and photography at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and trained in Computer-Assisted Design (CAD) at the New Approach School for Jewelers. With a keen eye for detail and a love for modern design, she’s here to help you bring your custom jewelry dreams to life. Shira is also a cat mom to Bear and Tovi and loves to create unique designs that reflect her clients’ personal stories.

Ophelia & Patches

While Patches and Ophelia may not make an appearance in person, their playful spirits still bring joy to our showroom! A charming painting of these two by David Cochran hangs on our wall, commissioned by our owner, Jill, to remind us of her furry companions’ delightful personalities.

Patches is our resident goofball, a bundle of energy who never fails to entertain! This silly boy loves nothing more than a good cuddle session — except maybe a game of fetch. Yes, you read that right! Patches is always ready to chase after his favorite toy, but he hasn’t quite mastered the “bring it back” part of fetch yet. With his playful spirit and loving nature, he's a big-hearted boy who keeps everyone smiling.

Then there’s Ophelia, the sophisticated lady of the house. A true momma's girl, she knows how to keep things classy while slyly orchestrating mischief behind the scenes. Whether she’s setting her brother up for trouble or charming everyone with her sweet demeanor, Ophelia has mastered the art of playing both sides. She might look like a little angel, but don't be fooled — she knows exactly how to get what she wants!

Their painting adds a touch of warmth and charm to our showroom, reminding us of the joy that comes from a little bit of mischief and a lot of love!