Photos by Victoria’s Jewelry
Oak Ridge Jewelers LLC opened in Indiana originally in 1992 (now called Victoria’s Jewelry) as a family-owned, full-service jewelry shop in Ludington offering a sparkling variety of jewelry- new, vintage, heirloom, and more- many of which are one-of-a-kind and specially designed upon request. Victoria’s Jewelry also offers reliable expert jewelry repair service on-site.
Mike is the master bench jeweler and he does all the store’s repairs and custom work, and Vicki is the head jewelry designer although all the staff do design work. Both Mike and Vicki began learning jewelry making skills in high school and Mike has more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of jewelry making,
Victoria’s Jewelry receives much of its showcase merchandise from a number of major US suppliers and designers. What isn’t received from suppliers is created “from scratch.”
Mike creates many very earthy, organic pieces in sterling silver with different types of semi-precious gemstones that appeal to art lovers.
Designing the perfect engagement ring is a specialty of Victoria’s Jewelry. The staff feels that helping with this important choice is the most exciting part of the job because they get to make a lot of people really happy.
In addition to selling new jewelry, Victoria’s Jewelry has an estate case where items for sale are vintage, used, or hard to find. This inventory is ever-changing and the store has had pieces that date all the way back to the 1800’s.
Mike and Vicki are thankful and very proud of their more than 30 years of accomplishments being a trusted and respected small business. And they feel lucky to have three awesome employees that are learning the skills needed to carry on the Victoria’s Jewelry legacy for many years to come!
And for those looking to protect their jeweled heirlooms, Victoria’s Jewelry does appraisals for insurance purposes. Customers bring in their most prized possessions and the store will document their value so the items can be adequately insured. Many senior citizens also value this service so that a documentation of value can be handed down with the item when the time comes.
In 1992, Oak Ridge Studio was opened as an art studio and gallery in a small town in Indiana. The shop sold local arts and crafts along with Mike’s jewelry creations. Art classes, taught by local artists, were also held at the studio.
By the year 2000, it became apparent that the jewelry side of the business needed Mike & Vicki’s full attention and that’s when Oak Ridge Jewelers LLC opened. After a very successful two decades in Indiana, the Drzik’s decided to move to Ludington in 2014 and opened their second store in 2018 called Victoria’s Jewelry. They had been vacationing in Ludington since 1975 and were eager to become part of the community. After opening, Victoria’s Jewelry grew rapidly and the Drzik’s closed their Indiana store in 2019 to become full-time residents of Ludington.
The story of the Drzik’s has come full circle and they are thrilled to announce the opening of ART Rocks! ART Rocks will be an art gallery featuring many types of arts and crafts made by local artists and will be located right next door to Victoria’s Jewelry on South James Street. The grand opening of ART Rocks is scheduled for early June.
ART Rocks will also showcase art by local children and the Drzik’s plan is to collaborate with the art teachers at Mason County schools to provide a space to display and sell student artwork. They are hoping that this gallery will simultaneously encourage the arts and teach students the value of entrepreneurship. ART Rocks portion of any student art sales will be donated directly to their school’s art department to help ensure that the arts stay alive and thriving in local schools.
