The Orofino Story: After apprenticing as a jeweler and diamond setter for several years, Steve Brown went on to manage and own several retail jewelry manufacturing stores throughout Indiana. It was several years into the ownership of his largest store that he decided that he’d had enough of the "business as usual” ways that jewelry stores operate. He immensely enjoyed the one-on-one interaction with his clients, but found himself frustrated with the "management” of a retail environment. You only have to visit a retail jewelry store once to understand the frustration. He just wanted to sit down, discuss what someone wanted to accomplish, and get it done; each time trying to exceed expectations.

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Steve left the retail business in 1994 and traveled central and Southern California designing and creating jewelry for stores without jewelers of their own. Although his creativity was allowed to flourish, he found the environment within the stores to be no different than what he had just left.

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After starting a family, Steve relocated to Indianapolis and leased a studio on the mezzanine level of the tallest and most prestigious office building in Indiana. In late 1996, Orofino was born. Steve’s mission was to be in a place that was surrounded by professional people, but not necessarily shoppers.  He was  now  able to work one-on-one with clients, providing advice and direction to the jewelry relationship. "It is a very complex business and a lot of different factors can influence a wise purchase. The internet has forever changed this business. There is a great deal of information out there, but not all of it is good information.” He insists that having a relationship with a jeweler that you trust and enjoy is no different than the relationship you have with your doctor, accountant or financial planner. "You don’t need them all the time, but when you do, you need to borrow their experience and trust their opinions.” Steve’s straightforward approach was quickly embraced by the professional downtown population and through nothing but word of mouth referrals; Orofino now serves a client base from coast to coast.