About Our Hattiesburg Jewelry Store
Find out how we became the preferred local jewelry store in Hattiesburg, MS — explore our history and meet Team Carter’s below!
Our Story
- 1956: The Beginning
- 1986: Becoming Carter's Collective
- 2014: Changing with Chae
- 2025: Carter's Today
1956: The Beginning
Our story began on April 1st 1956, as Edna Stuart became the family's first-generation business woman. Edna left a legacy for the Carter's family when she and her husband Willie opened Stuart Farm Supply.Their business remained a staple, family-owned establishment in the Hattiesburg area for 60 years! Edna's tenacious work ethic inspired her daughter, Judy, to purchase “the Karat Patch” using Stuart Farm Supply as collateral.
1986: Becoming Carter's Collective
After earning her Graduate Gemologist degree in California, Judy Carter was able to grow her small kiosk in Hattiesburg's Cloverleaf Mall to a corner location, renaming it Carter’s Jewelry — a local jewelry store that quickly gained loyal customers.Later, she opened a location in Petal, MS, where she and her husband, Scott, raised their three daughters. After many years in the business, Judy decided to pass the torch to her eldest daughter, Chae!
2014: Changing with Chae
Chae Carter started working with her mother in 2008 as a fresh-faced 21-year-old learning the ropes…and falling in love with jewelry! In 2014, Chae bought Carter's Jewelry from her mother and has since become known as one of the female entrepreneurs changing the industry from the inside out.Chae developed and introduced our signature Bloom Collection engagement rings, helping Carter’s stand out as a premier bridal jewelry store in the Pinebelt. She brought color back to the region with a curated selection of fine jewelry and dazzling gemstones from around the world.
2025: Carter's Today
The hard work, honesty, and integrity of strong women (and our master jeweler, Tim Sims) are the foundation of what built our brand. To take the store to new heights, Chae uses what both generations of strong and amazing women taught her.She added several hardworking team members, and we gained many wonderful clients in the process. In 2017, we relocated to Evelyn Gandy Parkway in Petal. In 2022, we doubled the size of our store, unveiling a new Diamond Suite and rebranding to Carter's Collective Fine Jewelry, a fine jewelry store where tradition meets trend.
As a trusted jewelry store in Hattiesburg, MS, we proudly offer both natural diamond engagement rings and lab-grown diamond engagement rings to reflect every couple’s love story. Here, the sky is the limit — and we can't wait to see what’s next!
Meet Team Carter’s
At Carter’s, it truly takes a village.
Each team member at our Hattiesburg jewelry store is dedicated to helping you discover the perfect piece of fine jewelry to celebrate your milestone, from local engagement rings to heirloom-worthy keepsakes!
Learn more about our team members below (and take a look at what's on their wishlist).
Chae Carter, President & Owner
CHAE’S WISHLIST
Tim Sims,Master Jeweler
Payton Weathersby, Director of Operations
PAYTON’S WISHLIST
Katie Berry, Director of Accounting & Finance
KATIE’S WISHLIST
Blake Deas,Shop Manager & Bench Jeweler
BLAKE’S WISHLIST
Lex Melendez,Senior Bridal Specialist
LEX’S WISHLIST
Morgan Welch,Director of Marketing
MORGAN’S WISHLIST
Chelsea Montgomery,Fine Jewelry Concierge
CHELSEA’S WISHLIST
Nicole Gist,Fine Jewelry Concierge
NICOLE’S WISHLIST
Darius Branch,Fine Jewelry Concierge
Kelsey Wilkinson,Fine Jewelry Concierge
KELSEY’S WISHLIST
Felix,Store Supervisor
FELIX’S WISHLISTDiscover Why We’re Hattiesburg’s Favorite Local Jewelry Store
From our roots in a family farm supply business to becoming a modern fine jewelry store, Carter’s Collective is built on legacy, craftsmanship, and connection. Every piece in our collection tells a story — and we’re here to help you find the one that’s uniquely yours.
Ready to fall in love with something beautiful? Browse our fine jewelry collection and experience the difference our Hattiesburg jewelry store makes in the lives of our neighbors.