9/07/18
Voted Best Jeweler In Brainerd Lakes Community
It is a great honor to be chosen by the Brainerd Lakes Community as the 2018 Best Jeweler. Since beginning my career in the jewelry industry 50 years ago this September, I have always strived to be the best in my field. Since opening E. L. Menk Jewelers in 1979 we have endeavoured to provide top quality jewelry along with fine workmanship when making a new jewelry item as well as repairing our customers cherished jewelry items. E. L. Menk Jewelers would not have been able to do this without the help of my wife, my staff and the wonderful customers.
As a full service jeweler we offer basic jewelry designs as well as complete custom designed jewelry featuring diamonds and colored gemstones along with jewelry appraisals for our customers. In keeping with the new jewelry technology we have added the capcity to CAD\CAM to design and produce new exciting one of a kind jewelry items.
E.L. Menk Jewelers has two gold smiths utilizing the standard jeweler's bench tools as well as a laser welder to perform the most intracate repairs.
It has been a pleasure to be part of the Brainerd Community since 1974.
-Thank you, Ed Menk
5/15/13
Get to know our staff
Name: Mary
When did you start in the jewelry business? I started in June of 1976 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. I worked for a local family owned jewelry store.
How long have you been at E.L. Menk Jewelers? I have been here since September of 2000.
What made you want to work in the jewelry industry? I have always admired jewelry and when I was offered a job at a local family owned store I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for me. I was right, working with people and jewelry is a passion of mine.
What is your favorite thing to sell? I would say engagement rings. Picking out an engagement ring is a very personal and important step in a person's life and its fun to be a part of that.
What is your favorite gemstone? why? It would be a tie between diamond and sapphire. Diamonds have such a rare beauty and unique sparkle, whereas sapphires have the most amazing blue hues and rich color.
What metal do you prefer? Yellow gold.
What would you say is your personal style? I would say I have a very classic and feminine style.
What is your favorite item you ever sold? A 10 carat total weight diamond and platinum tennis bracelet.
What is your favorite piece of jewelry to wear? My sapphire and diamond ring.
When your not working what are some of your hobbies? I like being outside kayaking, swimming, fishing and I love to cook for my family.
5/6/13
Mother's day
The Second Sunday in May is not just any Sunday, it is a day to honor one of the most important people in your life; your mother. The tradition started back in 1908 when one woman, Anna Jarvis, wanted to honor her mother. She decided to hold a memorial for her. In 1912 the famous phrases "Second Sunday in May" and "Mother's Day" were trademarked by Anna, and by the 1920's the holiday was highly commercialized. Mother's Day is now celebrated all over the world. Every year on the Second Sunday in May, mothers are shown how much they are loved and appreciated. Some mothers receive cards, some flowers, but the best way to honor your mother is with a gift that will last a lifetime. At E.L. Menk Jewelers we can help you find just that by helping you design a ring that she will cherish forever to finding a necklace that she will never want to take off. Stop in and see us , and we can help you make her day just as special as the mothers in the story below.
I will never forget my first Mother's Day . . . breakfast in bed complete with a rose in a bud vase, waited on hand and foot all day, dinner out . . . you name it I had it. Now that's what Mother's Day is all about, right? Wrong! That lasted
about two years and then our lives became so bogged down with everyday responsibilities I just never felt I could take a whole day to pamper myself. Maybe breakfast in bed would be squeezed in, but that lasted about fifteen
minutes and was accompanied by kids and dogs, all anxious to take advantage of my perceived "trapped" state tucked under the covers with a tray precariously balanced on my lap.
Two years ago, twelve years into motherhood, I had just made the usual calls to both my mom and my husband's mother to wish them Happy Mother's Day when the doorbell rang. I had no idea
how much I had missed the big "to-do" of my own Mother's Day until the moment I saw my husband standing at the door dressed as a delivery man and holding out an arrangement of irises, "delivery for Mrs. Stone" he said quite
formally.
I reached out to take the flowers with what I'm sure can only be described as a look of shock. "Thank you young man," I replied as I accepted them, "would you like to come in for a cup of coffee? I'm afraid
I don't have any change for a tip."
"Why, yes, thank you ma'am. I'd like that very much. Delivering flowers is much harder than most people realize you know." Ronnie joined me in the living room as I sat the
flowers on the coffee table and went to get us each a cup of coffee. When I returned, he had removed his delivery man's cap and was gently rearranging the flowers, all three of the kids watching on with happy grins.
"Why look here! There's something stuck down in these flowers!" he exclaimed as though surprised. At that, he dropped all pretenses and extracted a small golden box and held it in his hand, saying,
"Janice, I'm afraid I'm very guilty of getting so wrapped up in everyday things that I don't take the time to tell you what a terrific wife and mother you are. Mother's Day slides by with barely an acknowledgement, but today I'm going to
take advantage of the occasion to show you my appreciation." He was joined by a chorus of enthusiastic, "Happy Mother's Day Mommy. We love you!" from the kids.
I watched as he opened the lid of the box and removed a Mother's ring with birthstones for each of our children and slid it on my right ring finger. "Thank you sweetheart for all that you do. I apologize for
not saying it often enough, but it's always something I'm aware of. I love you very much."
After years of Mother's Day being just another day, my wonderful husband and children had just turned it into one of the most special days of my life.
