75 Years of Craft & Community: Celebrating Gause & Son Jewelers, Ocala’s Diamond Store
- Gause and Son Team
- 4 minutes ago
- 5 min read
In 1950, when Otha Gause opened the doors of a small shop in downtown Ocala, the display cases held an array of eclectic trinkets. There was china. There were coffee pots. There were silver trays, gifts for weddings and milestones, and a promise to serve a growing town built on integrity and hard work.
Seventy-five years later, Gause & Son Jewelers has evolved into a 4,500-square-foot destination for fine jewelry in Ocala, FL, with a name synonymous with craftsmanship, trust, and generations of family tradition.
75 Years in the Ocala Community
In Ocala, family legacies run deep — and few are as polished as this one. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Gause & Son Jewelers has become part of the fabric of Marion County life, serving families who have trusted them for decades. Grandparents who once purchased their wedding bands here now return with their grandchildren to find the perfect engagement ring, continuing a cycle of love and loyalty that defines both the brand and the town it serves.
“Every generation leaves a mark on tradition,” says Cammie Gause, CEO and Buyer for Gause & Son Jewelers. “We see that every day — in the families who come back to us, in the heirloom pieces that started here and continue to carry meaning through the years.”
That sense of continuity has long set Gause & Son apart. In a world where retail often shifts and trends fade quickly, the store’s enduring reputation has been built on values that mirror Ocala itself: authenticity, fairness, and community trust. “Our philosophy has always been to treat people fairly, honestly, and respectfully,” Cammie explains. “The customers matter the most — and I think that’s why they keep coming back.”
The result is more than just a loyal customer base; it’s a relationship that spans generations. For many local families, a visit to Gause & Son isn’t simply a purchase — it’s a rite of passage, a continuation of the same careful selection, joyful anticipation, and heartfelt gifting that has defined the store for decades.
The Craftsmanship Behind the Cases
If legacy is the soul of Gause & Son, then craftsmanship is its heartbeat. From custom design and jewelry repair to certified watch repair in Ocala, FL, and fine jewelry appraisal, every detail within the store reflects a standard of excellence that has never wavered.
Cammie has been with the company for more than 30 years, overseeing each collection with a discerning eye. “Everything in the store is hand-selected,” she says. “We look for timeless quality paired with fresh design — pieces that are classic, but never outdated.”
Gause & Son’s in-house expertise is another cornerstone of its success. The store has long employed master jewelers, gemologists, and watchmakers — many of whom have been part of the team for decades. “We’ve always valued longevity,” Cammie shares. “One of our jewelers was with us for almost 40 years, and he learned the craft from his father, who worked here before him. That’s the kind of generational knowledge that can’t be replicated.”
The Gause team’s commitment to integrity and precision has earned them recognition as the best local jeweler for engagement rings in Ocala — but their expertise extends far beyond diamonds. Whether it’s creating custom jewelry, performing delicate restorations, or offering fine jewelry appraisals in Ocala, FL, Gause & Son’s reputation rests on skill, trust, and a standard of service that’s as meticulous as it is personal.
“Quality and tradition never go out of style,” Cammie says. It’s a glacial industry that favors patience, set in a modern world that values fast-fashion and automation. Gause & Son Jewelers is proud to uphold mastery – the art of doing it right. Excellence, no matter the time it takes. That’s what sets them apart.
Evolving with Elegance
Longevity, after all, doesn’t happen by accident. It takes more than heritage to sustain a brand for 75 years — it takes adaptability, vision, and a deep respect for both the past and the future. Cammie has seen the store’s collections evolve with changing tastes and generations. Female self-buyers have become a growing market, and certain design trends, like bold gold and larger statement pieces, have made a comeback. Yet through it all, Gause & Son has remained true to its core philosophy: blending timeless craftsmanship with modern inspiration.
Every era leaves something to build on – Gause & Son Jewelers curates styles that are founded in family legacy with an eye for modern style. Some pieces are purchased simply for their beauty, others for a purpose…but all are meant to be passed from one generation to another, connecting stories and transcending time.
When it comes down to it, these metals and stones will outlast us all – so let’s make them special.
A Legacy Forged in Family and Trust
At the heart of Gause & Son’s longevity lies something even rarer than a flawless diamond: the enduring bond between its team and its community. Many staff members have worked at the store for decades, passing down their expertise just as the Gause family has passed down the business itself. “You can’t have a successful business without great leadership and a great staff,” Cammie beams as she adds, “We’ve always had a wonderful team, and that loyalty shows in everything we do.”
As the second-oldest family-owned business in Marion County, Gause & Son’s story mirrors Ocala’s own — shaped by hard work, hospitality, and heritage. It’s a story that continues to evolve, just like the clients they serve and the jewelry they create.
Looking Ahead: 75 Years and Beyond
Seventy-five years after Otha Gause first opened shop, the gleam of his original vision still shines through. While the cases have grown grander and the inventory more refined, the mission remains the same: to provide the Ocala community with trusted expertise, impeccable service, and the joy of finding something truly meaningful.
As Cammie reflects on what’s ahead, she’s both grateful and optimistic. “We’ve been blessed with generations of customers who trust us — and we don’t take that lightly,” she says. “We’ll continue to honor that legacy by offering beautiful, high-quality jewelry and the same level of service people have come to expect from us.”
In Gratitude to the Community
As Ocala’s Diamond Store, Gause & Son Jewelers owes its longevity to the people who’ve made every milestone possible. From the families who have celebrated life’s most meaningful moments under their roof to the local artisans and loyal team members who have kept the craft alive, this 75th anniversary is a shared accomplishment — a tribute to trust, tradition, and time well spent.
In celebrating this remarkable milestone, the Gause family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Ocala community — for 75 years of support, and for the many more yet to come. Because while trends may come and go, one truth endures: in Ocala, quality and tradition never go out of style.
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