Our History

Russ was a Commercial Art Major at Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College). His father, Elliott Brummitt, was a pharmacist and owned Sutton Drug Store in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The business below the pharmacy was Charles Hopkins Jewelry Store, where Elliott met and began his friendship with Mr. Hopkins. Through this friendship, Elliott became interested in cutting gemstones and designing jewelry. Proceeding Mr. Hopkins death, Elliott purchased Charles Hopkins Jewelry Store and began honing his skills in jewelry design and custom-making pieces for his clients. While in college, Russ would work some weekends with his father, solidifying his interest in jewelry. The art of creating jewelry fit into his art background. Using basic tools and techniques, Russ began to learn the skills of jewelry design and making jewelry.

After college, Russ trained under a master jeweler for over a year and was led into retail jewelry store management. After working for two major companies, the last being in Texas, Russ and Mimi decided to move back to North Carolina and open our own jewelry store in 1986. Thus began our journey, which is now almost 40 years in the making.

​​For 30 years, Russ and Mimi Brummitt were blessed to own Ora Designers/ Fine Jewelers, located in North Raleigh, North Carolina. We were fortunate to have a family-run, traditional retail store. With over 60 years of combined fine jewelry experience, we decided to take with us what we do best and turn it into a more intimate and personalized jewelry experience. We work by appointment only, so we can devote all of our attention and time to you without interruptions. We want you to feel comfortable and enjoy your experience. As your concierge jeweler, our goal is to meet yours. We feel blessed to share our love and expertise with you and help you acquire or create the jewelry of your dreams.