Our History

Gleim the Jeweler is one of the premier family-owned, independent jewelers in the United States.The family heritage began with founder Frederick Gleim, who opened the first Gleim's jewelry store on University Avenue in Palo Alto in 1931.

Frederick worked in tandem with his wife, Cora, as well as training his teenage son, Arthur, in the craft of watch making.

Arthur built the business and gained a national reputation, winning the industry's most coveted honor, the Robert M. Shipley Award, and becoming the only person ever to serve as President of the American Gem Society (AGS),President of the Jewelers of America, and Chairman of the Board of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Arthur's daughter, Georgie, has continued the family tradition, serving as Gleim's President and following in her father's footsteps by becoming President of the American Gem Society, and receiving the industry's most coveted honor, the Robert M. Shipley Award.

David Loudy joined the firm in 1969 and now serves as Vice-President of Gleim's. David is the principal gemstone buyer for Gleim's and holds office at the Stanford Shopping Center store.

A Peninsula institution, Gleim's has always been active in the community, supporting many nonprofit organizations and annually presenting the Gleim Community Service Award to a local volunteer. Gleim's emphasizes consumer education through an ongoing series of free lectures. In 1994, Gleim's won the prestigious Tall Tree Award as the Outstanding Company in Palo Alto.