We’ve done lots of shows about diamonds, covering almost every facet (heh) of them from the 4Cs to buying them online to lab growns, but we haven’t talked much about how we get our diamonds. How does your local jeweler acquire the diamonds that you see in the case? What’s that process, start to finish? How might international conflicts such as wars, tariffs, and geopolitics have an impact? And what’s it like going to Antwerp surrounded by armed guards and seeing briefcases handcuffed to people’s wrists? How do you know who to trust in this wild, crazy world? They say it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey, and that’s what we’re exploring today: the journey of a diamond from the soil to the showroom. It’s the CarterCast, the pre-proposal show for dating couples designed to make engagement ring shopping easy, understandable, and fun. Filmed on location at JoshuaOneNine in Downtown Bloomington, IL.
An aerial view of the new Jack Lewis Jewelers location at 3011 Galena Road, near Biaggi’s and Ancho & Agave on Bloomingon’s east side.
The project will be designed locally by Kyle Glandon and Paul Scharnett at Hewn Architectural Studio (the new entity formed at the start of 2024 by the merger of Workbench and SAA), and be built locally by Catalyst Construction, led by the team of Andy Kaufmann, Britt Steffen, and Josiah Koch.
It was an honor to have a crowd of family, friends, and colleagues join us for the celebration.
Flanked by co-owner Missy Ranney and wife Ketti, John Carter kicks-off the ceremony with opening remarks.
Father Schultz from St. Patrick Catholic Church of Merna leads the group in prayer before blessing the ground.
L to R, Seth & Missy Ranney, and John & Ketti Carter officially break ground at the site of the new Jack Lewis Jewelers on June 13, 2024.
The Ranneys and Carters officially throw the first dirt.
Jack Lewis Jewelers owners Missy Ranney and John Carter pose at the Groundbreaking Ceremony.
An aerial view of the crowd arriving.
The new store will be designed locally by Kyle Glandon and Paul Scharnett at Hewn Architectural Studio. We’ll be sharing the renderings in the months to come.
The new store will be built locally by Catalyst Construction under the direction of project superintendent Josiah Koch.
Carter welcomes the crowd to the Groundbreaking Ceremony.
Carter makes remarks during the Groundbreaking Ceremony.
Carter makes remarks during the Groundbreaking Ceremony.
John Carter and wife Ketti during the opening remarks at the Groundbreaking Ceremony.
Father Schultz leads the crowd in a blessing of the new ground.
John Carter and wife Ketti pause for a moment of prayer during the blessing.
Missy Ranney and John & Ketti Carter prepare to throw dirt.
The project team includes Paul Scharnett of Hewn Architectural Studio (far left) and Josiah Koch of Catalyst Construction (4th from right).
Sit back and watch the whole episode here, or jump over to our YouTube Channel and skip ahead to what you want by using the segment timestamps in the description.
