our story
Discover our history & meet Team Carter's!
1956: the beginning
The Carter's story began 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 Carter to purchase "the Karat Patch" -- Using Stuart Farm Supply as collateral.
1986: becoming carter's
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; re-naming it to what we know today as Carter’s Jewelry. 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 Carter!
2014: changing with chae
Chae Carter started working with her mother Judy 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 and brought color back to the Pinebelt with a curated collection of 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 Carter's. Chae uses what both generations of strong and amazing women taught her to take the store to heights. Carter's added hardworking team members and gained so many wonderful clients in the process. In 2017, we relocated to Evelyn Gandy Parkway in Petal, and in 2022, we doubled the size of our store, unveiling a new Diamond Suite and rebranding to Carter's Collective Fine Jewelry. 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 and every one of our team members is dedicated to helping you discover the perfect piece of jewelry to celebrate your milestone!
Click each team member's profile to learn more about them and take a look at what's on their wishlist.
tim sims
darius branch
