Our Story
Expect Only the Best
Customers can expect only the best when shopping with John Thomas Jewelers. John and Janelle hand select diamonds from the oldest diamond trading center in the world, located in Antwerp, Belgium.
John Thomas Jewelers is the only Master Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) jeweler in Albuquerque. As members, John and Janelle have received expert training that keeps their knowledge and skills of the custom jewelry business updated for the best customer experience. They also adhere to the IJO ethical code of conduct that guarantees honesty, integrity, and trust.
The Story of John & Janelle
John and Janelle Thomas share a lifelong love of jewelry. John began his career 30 years ago in New York, realizing early on that working with jewelry was more than a career — it was a passion. Janelle began her adventure 25 years ago in New Mexico, owning her first jewelry shop at age 24.
Both studied at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). John loves custom-designed jewelry and engagement rings, and has custom-designed more than 2,000 rings during his career. Janelle is a registered gemologist with the International School of Gemology who loves being part of life's most special moments.
Go Out of Your Way
We travel to Antwerp to hand-select your diamond. We sit with you one-on-one until the design is right. We craft, adjust, and perfect until you say it's exactly what you dreamed of. Going out of our way isn't something we do on special occasions — it's the reason people trust us with theirs.
Meet Your Family Jeweler
Our customers don't say they found a jewelry store — they say they found their jeweler. Here's the team behind that reputation.
Owner · Master Designer
John began his career 30 years ago in New York and has custom-designed more than 2,000 rings. GIA trained, he loves bringing clients' ideas to life through custom engagement rings.
Master Jeweler · Custom Designer
Matthew is our master jeweler and custom designer, crafting on the premises so you can meet him and watch his work come to life. With more than 30 years of experience, he is a master in CAD design and does impeccable work on the bench. Matthew enjoys working on higher-end pieces — if you're lucky, you might spot one of his custom designs in our showcase.
Jewelry Designer · CAD Specialist
With a background in jewelry manufacturing, Lara loves every step of the process — from rendering your vision in CAD to sourcing the diamond of your dreams. She's drawn to the history and science behind gemstones, and to work that's equally technical and creative. She believes everyone deserves a piece of jewelry as unique as they are.
Your perfect ring starts with a conversation
Schedule your private consultation today and let us bring your vision to life.
Book an Appointment