Symmetry Jewelers: A Legacy of Art, Family, and the Spirit of New Orleans
Celebrate 50 years of craftsmanship, community, and a vision for the future with a crown jewel in South Louisiana.
When I think about New Orleans, I think about tradition, artistry, culture, and stories that have been carefully passed down through generations. It’s the kind of city where meaning, history, and significance is etched in the fabric of every street. Jewelry often carries those same qualities, which is why my recent conversation with the team at Symmetry Jewelers felt so perfectly in tune with the city they’ve called home for 50 years.
Founded in 1975, Symmetry has grown from its roots in the French Quarter to become a landmark in uptown New Orleans at the bend of the Mississippi River, all while holding onto the spirit of creativity and family that shaped its beginnings. As they celebrate their 50th anniversary this year, I had the chance to sit down with owners Connie Thompson and Anna Hollinger to hear their story. What I discovered was more than a history of the jewelry store — it was a story of legacy, community, and the kind of personal connection that makes both jewelry and New Orleans unforgettable.
A Legacy Rooted in the Crescent City
Symmetry Jewelers’ story begins in 1975 on Exchange Alley, a historic stretch of the French Quarter long known as a center of commerce. Its original owners — brothers Tom and Richard Mathis, along with their friend Judie Held — set out to create something different. Tom was the artist and bench jeweler, Richard took charge of the front of house and sales, and Judie kept the business running behind the scenes. Together, they built a foundation that was as much about craftsmanship and camaraderie as it was about jewelry.
Over the years, Symmetry grew and shifted across several locations before settling into its riverbend home in the 1990s. Along the way, a new generation of leadership emerged, though not in the traditional sense. Neither Anna nor Connie set out to become jewelers or business owners, yet both found themselves drawn into Symmetry’s orbit through a mix of chance and timing. What began as day jobs at a jewelry store became careers, and eventually, ownership. Today, they carry forward the spirit of the founders while shaping the business for the future.
That continuity is felt most clearly at the bench. Tom’s influence lives on through Symmetry’s current head jeweler, who trained directly under him. The workmanship that defined the store’s beginnings continues to shape the jewelry created today, ensuring that Symmetry’s style hasn’t skipped a beat.
Though Symmetry isn’t a family business in the traditional “passed down” sense, it has always carried the essence of one. The shop reflects something deeply New Orleans: close friends becoming chosen family, working side by side to build something lasting. “For me, I really love the legacy piece. New Orleans is an old city, and I love when traditions can continue and move forward in a way that still honors the foundation of what it was,” says Connie. Anna and Connie describe their vision of Symmetry as more than just a jewelry store — it’s a gallery, a place where jewelry is treated as wearable art rather than something taken off the rack.
And woven into their journey is a connection to Stuller that stretches back to the very beginning. Symmetry was among Matt Stuller’s earliest customers, purchasing findings when he was still running the business out of the trunk of his car. That partnership, spanning the entirety of Symmetry’s lifetime, is yet another thread in their story of artistry, community, and legacy.
Curating Culture Through Jewelry
One of the things that struck me most about Symmetry is how they’ve expanded their offerings beyond their own bench. While their in-house work is a cornerstone, they also curate jewelry from small design houses, family-run groups, and independent artists around the world. From countries around Europe to right here in New Orleans, their cases hold a thoughtful mix of pieces you won’t find anywhere else in the city. As Anna told me, “We don’t carry designers that other stores in the city carry, and they don’t carry what we do. We like to offer something different.”
Among their most distinctive collections is the Mysterium Collection, a grouping of about 20 artists from Poland whose designs are unlike anything else in the city. They have also featured work from German designers and, of course, a strong representation of local New Orleans artists — about five at any given time. It feels fitting in a place like New Orleans where culture is a blend of influences that jewelry at Symmetry reflects the same kind of richness.
For much of its history, Symmetry carried a reputation for being high-end, a reputation born from its artistic flair and quality. But when Anna and Connie took over, they wanted to ensure the store spoke to everyone, no matter their budget or occasion. As Connie explained, “We’ve worked really hard to make it a jewelry store that has something for everyone. We have price ranges for every gift occasion whether it’s children’s earrings, sterling silver, or an estate piece.”
These curated collections don’t just broaden their cases; they broaden their customer base. Locals come in looking for one-of-a-kind artistry, tourists seek out pieces by New Orleans makers, and collectors browse estate and vintage finds. This year, Symmetry is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special trunk show, featuring over 150 estate pieces brought in from California.
By weaving the local craft with global perspectives together, Symmetry has become more than just a jewelry store. It’s a gallery of cultures, stories, and workmanship — a place where the spirit of New Orleans is reflected not only in the people behind the counter, but in every piece on display.
Bringing Visions to Life
While Symmetry boasts a stunning assortment of pieces customers can browse within their cases, customization has always been at the heart of their approach. Customers walk in with inspiration photos, heirloom pieces in need of a refreshed look, or even just a handful of family stones, and the team helps transform those starting points into jewelry they’ll treasure for years. Often, a simple repair evolves into a restyling project, breathing fresh life into a sentimental piece while keeping its history intact.
What makes this process stand out is how visual and collaborative it has become. Anna and Connie credit CounterSketch® and the ever&ever® bridal solution with revolutionizing the way they design alongside their clients. As they told me, “We love using ever&ever® with CounterSketch — it’s been a gamechanger. Not only are these great for helping customers conceptualize hundreds of ring options, but they are also helpful when training novice salespeople because they are so easy to use.”
Before adopting these tools, they admitted to feeling like they were behind the times when it came to technology. Now, they feel empowered to offer an experience that spoils their customers. They can sit side by side with the team, move gemstones around on the screen, see a design come to life instantly, and even walk away with a 3D-printed prototype in hand thanks to the B9Creations® 3D Printer.
It’s a collaboration in the truest sense, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design tools to turn a vision into reality.
Looking Ahead: Passing on the Legacy
As much as Symmetry’s story is about honoring its past, it’s equally about preparing for the future. Both Anna and Connie spoke with a sense of hope when I asked what the next chapter might look like. Anna told me, “I really hope that one of our employees is able to buy into the business like we did. That opportunity changed my life, and I want that for them. At first, I just needed a job, and that turned into this love for the business.”
Connie echoed that sentiment, adding, “I want to set the stage for the next generation. We were handed a paper and pen business. We want it to be even better for the next owners.” Their vision is to create not just a sustainable business, but one where employees feel proud to be a part of the team — so much so that, as they put it, they’ll be “the envy of their peers in the industry.”
Listening to them, I couldn’t help but notice how they spoke about Symmetry the same way many of us speak about a cherished heirloom. With love. With admiration. With the intent to preserve it, care for it, and eventually pass it on to the next generation. And in that sense, Symmetry is more than just a jewelry store — it’s a legacy piece of New Orleans itself.
Congratulations to Symmetry Jewelers on 50 years in the Crescent City. Cheers to the next 50 and even more beyond.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Taylor Dizor
Staff Writer
Taylor holds degrees in Political Science and Communication from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as well as multiple certifications from GIA. His years in the wedding industry and love of fashion trends helps him write content for the on-trend and creative jeweler.