About Grimball Jewelers

How did it all begin? Growing up as a boy in Charleston, S.C., Berkeley was fascinated by an exquisite family heirloom timepiece. Its intricate design and beautiful enamel work were impressive. This stunning watch was later donated by his family to The Charleston Museum, but the image stayed with him.

Basically self taught, Berkeley first started making jewelry as an undergraduate at UNC in the early 70’s. He and a roommate bent silver wire, fashioning it into necklaces, bracelets, and rings. It was great fun setting up craft shows and selling to co-eds and sororities, and their early success was a sign of things to come.

After graduating from UNC in 1973, Berkeley traveled to Africa and Europe. Collecting antique trader beads and bits of bleached bone from the beaches of Morocco, he combined the two creating organic pieces. He also developed a love for agates, still one of his favorite stones. This heralded an eclectic yet classic signature look which can be found today in The Berkeley Collection.

By 1980, artisans were increasingly active in Chapel Hill, and so Berkeley set up shop at the Chinaberry Craft Coop downtown. He partnered with another jeweler to open Grimball & Stokes in Carrboro’s historic Carr Mill Mall in 1985. Two years later (1987), they moved to West Franklin St. in downtown Chapel Hill, where Berkeley and his partner were able to accommodate the expansion of their business with more inventory and services. Grimball Jewelers moved to its present location on Elliot Rd. in Chapel Hill (next to Whole Foods Market) in 2000.

Berkeley Grimball believes in giving back to the community. Committed to various causes, he is a supporter of music events, the arts, education, and numerous charities. As well as being a board member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, Berkeley is an avid musician who enjoys performing with his band Too Much Fun. His radio show on Carrboro’s WCOM (103.5) can be heard every Saturday evening at 6 p.m. Berkeley currently resides in Carrboro with his wife Catherine, who is also active in the local community.

Voted “Small Business of the Year” by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce in 2002 and “Best Jewelry Store” by readers of the Chapel Hill News in 2005, Grimball Jewelers has established itself as the premier full-service jewelry store in Orange County. Services include appraisals, custom work, and repair. Please drop by for a visit with us! Our friendly and well-informed staff would love to show you an eclectic yet classic mix of fine jewelry- everything from beautiful engagement rings to stunning South Sea Pearls to an ever changing flow of estate acquisitions.