Three Generations of Jewelers

The Reiss tradition of jewelers dates back three generations to the World War II era. George Reiss opened a small jewelry store above the Woolworth 5 & 10 store on West Market Street in downtown York. In 1945, George found his start in selling watches, grandfather clocks, jewelry and small appliances in the shop he named for his family - Reiss Jewelers. Inside the store, George was busy repairing watches and jewelry for loyal friends and customers while Mary, his loving wife, kept the business records and added her personal touches to the quiet, little shop. They both served their customers cheerfully and knowledgeably for almost fifty years.

George and Mary's son, Max, began working at his father's store at age twelve. Max went on to study the watchmaking trade at Bowman Technical School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1965, growth offered the opportunity to relocate the family business to a first-floor, downtown storefront across the street from the bustling merchants in the thriving stands at Central Market. North Beaver Street has been the home of York's preferred downtown jeweler for over a half-century. We hold with great pride the knowledge that Reiss Jewelers is the only jewelry store to successfully push through hard times to witness the rebirth of a new downtown York.

For over seventy years the Reiss family has served the York County community - sharing its expertise in fine jewelry and dependable timepieces. The family tradition continues with Max’s daughter, Karen Reiss Staub, who learned the trade from her father and began working with him in 1997. Over the years, Karen has developed her own line of custom jewelry bearing the time-honored family name "Karen Reiss Designs". Karen is proud to continue the family tradition of quality and integrity that began over seventy years ago. She continually seeks to bring her own spirit, art and innovations to the jewelry store that her family built while honoring its rich history.

Karen Reiss Staub

Three generations of professional craftsmanship - this is the experience on which Karen Reiss Staub has built her passion for jewelry.  Karen has years of training and decades of personal experience in every aspect of the jewelry practice - design, repair and identification. The sign that bears her family name on North Beaver Street hangs as a memoir of her commitment to the downtown community and her passion for bringing classic beauty and current artistry together in her work.

Certifications:

American College of Applied Arts, Atlanta, GA: Professional Jeweler Training Program
Gemological Institute of America: Diamonds, Diamond Grading, Colored Stones and Colored Stone Identification
New Approach School for Jewelers
Bench Jeweler Level One
Stone Setting Level One
Silversmith classes from William Thompson