MEET OUR ARTISTS
_edite.jpg)
Owner and Designer
Richard Gretz
Richard Gretz began creating and designing jewelry as an art student at Oregon State University.
With a degree in art, he has a passion for fine craftsmanship and beautiful gemstones in hand-made jewelry, a natural medium for his creativity.
For over 30 years, he has been one of the leading designer-goldsmiths in the Northwest. He is always learning and exploring new concepts of the jewelry trade.
He started Richard Gretz Goldsmiths in 1978 and has been creating unique and beautiful jewelry for customers far and wide ever since.
After more than 40 trips to Asia to buy gems, we have the Willamette Valley’s best collection of natural-colored gems and diamonds to choose from for your custom jewelry made right here in our store.
Store Manager
AJP - Gemological Institute of America
Irene
Irene first caught the jewelry bug while creating pieces through lost wax casting in her high school jewelry class. She started as a salesperson in the jewelry industry in 1990 and after taking time off to raise a family, returned to the industry with Richard Gretz Goldsmiths in 2013.
​
She earned an Accredited Jewelry Professional credential from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in 2016.
​
Irene enjoys working one on one with clients to help them create the jewelry of their dreams and follows the piece to completion to be sure her client's wishes are being met. She is a self-described “Diamond Girl” and personally seeks out the finest gemstones at the best value for our clients. Her keen eye is well-known, and her expertise is invaluable.
While not working Irene enjoys playing team sports, camping with family and friends, and spending time with her grandbabies.
Shop Manager and Lead Goldsmith
Scott
Scott randomly fell into the jewelry world as a passing curiosity, and it didn't take long for him to completely fall in love with the combination of craftsmanship, chemistry, physics, and art.
He started his apprenticeship in a small coastal town in Southern Oregon and eventually ended up in Corvallis. After seeing how seamlessly Richard blends traditional fabrication techniques and 21st-century technology, he knew where he needed to be, and has been here ever since.
Scott wears many hats at Richard Gretz Goldsmiths. Having a myriad of backgrounds in information technology, engineering, and metal-smithing, as well as a keen interest in a wide variety of fabrication techniques and processes, he is always available to help around the store wherever his expertise is needed.
Goldsmith
Basic and Advanced Stone Setting - Gemological Institute of America
Keith
Keith started his career at 17 years old while polishing jewelry in his family shop. For the last 35 years, he has expanded and fine-tuned his knowledge and skill in the jewelry craft. 20 years of that time was spent working as a goldsmith in an independent store.
A loving father of three, Keith's family means the world to him, and when all the kids flew the nest he and his wife decided to make a change. After living in Ohio his whole life he moved to Oregon in 2019. Oregon brought new opportunities in the shape of Richard Gretz Goldsmiths.
Keith loves anything Gold and Platinum and prides himself on being able to work the most intricate details into the jewelry he smiths.
Marketing and Sales
AAS: Videography, Graphic Design, and Interactive Media
Reagan
Reagan is a talented graphic designer and marketing manager passionate about creating impactful visual stories. She has an associate's degree in digital communication, combining Graphic Design, Videography, Photography, and Web Design. She always wanted a career managing social media and marketing, so Richard Gretz is the perfect place for her.
​
In her free time, Reagan enjoys unwinding with a good movie, exploring hiking trails, and spending quality time with her beloved cat, Mini. Her interests fuel her creativity, allowing her to bring fresh perspectives to her work.
​
Appraiser
GG - GIA Graduate Gemologist
AJP - Gemological Institute of America
DUSTY
Dusty graduated first in her class from the Gemological Institute of America in 2004. She has a keen interest in colored gemstones of all types with special emphasis on Australian opals and rare gemstones. Referring to herself as an inclusion junkie, Dusty relishes the chance to analyze and record strange and unique inclusions.
Dusty has many facets herself, not only a gemologist, she is also a Navy veteran, cattle rancher, stock dog trainer and breeder, and an avid gardener.
She has a full gem lab on-site and up-to-date software to make your appraisals as accurate as possible.