Skip to main content
  • Search
  • Account
  • My Wish List
Cowardin's Jewelers
  • Custom
  • Engagement
    • Shop Engagement Rings
    • Diamond Education
  • Collections
    • Allison Kaufman
    • Benchmark
    • Breuning
    • Cordova
    • Forge
    • Frederique Constant
    • Gabriel & Co
    • Imperial Pearls
    • Kiddie Kraft
    • LeStage
    • Levy Creations
    • Mason Kay
    • Master IJO Jeweler
    • Midas
    • Nancy B
    • Nicole Barr
    • Novell
    • Off the Cuff
    • Overnight
    • Parle
    • PeJay Creations
    • Quality Design Group
    • Reed & Barton
    • Rembrandt Charms
    • Royal Chain
    • S. Kashi
    • Salisbury Fine Metal Artisans
    • Victorinox
    • William Henry Studio
    • Yael Designs
    • Ziva Jewels
  • Jewelry
    • Engagement Rings
      • Vintage Engagement Rings
      • Designer Engagement Rings
      • Toe Rings
      • Gold Fashion Rings
      • Silver Rings
    • Watches
      • Pre-owned Men's Rolex
      • Pre-owned Women's Rolex
      • Frederique Constant
      • Victorinox Swiss Army
    • Estate Jewelry
      • Chains
      • Anklets
    • Diamond Jewelry
    • Gemstone Jewelry
    • William Henry
    • Bracelets
      • Bangle Bracelets
      • Gold Bracelets
      • Silver Bracelets
      • Diamond Bracelets
      • Gemstone Bracelets
    • Rings
    • Earrings
      • Gold Earrings
      • Silver Earrings
    • Necklaces
      • Silver Chains
      • Gold Necklaces
      • Silver Necklaces
      • Gold Chains
      • Diamond Necklaces
      • Gemstone Necklaces
    • Pendants
      • Gold Pendants
    • Mens Wedding Bands
    • Sets
    • Wedding Bands
    • Pins
    • Other
    • Charm Bracelets
  • Our Store
    • Our Store
    • Services
    • Create a Wishlist
    • Our History
  • Education
    • Jewelry Education
    • Diamond Education
      • The Four Cs of Diamonds
      • Diamond Buying Tips
    • Choosing The Right Setting
    • Learn About Gemstones
      • Birthstone Guide
      • Gemstone Guide
    • Precious Metals
    • Jewelry Care
      • Caring for Fine Jewelry
      • Diamond Cleaning
      • Gemstone Cleaning
    • Anniversary Guide
    • Gold Buying Guide
  • Contact
  1. Home
  2. Our History

Our History


scan0004.pngShortly after returning home to Richmond following the end of the Civil War, William H. Cowardin opened a watch and jewelry shop at 1804 East Main Street. He based his business on honesty, hard work, dependability and service – virtues that would be passed on among future generations of the Cowardin family.

A talented craftsman, William made watches, clocks and spectacles by hand at his shop on Main Street. One of his many creations included an ivory magnifier hand-carved with a picture of himself, which he gave to his wife for an anniversary present.

“[William H. Cowardin] was… the best kind of citizen…quiet, unostentatious, a merchant and mechanic, loving his business, delighting in his own ingenuity and skill but never boasting of them, and he brought up a large family of good citizens.”

–Richmond News Leader, December 23, 1907

1879-rtd-ad.pngIn 1900, William retired and the second generation of Cowardins would run the business well into the 20th century. His sons were raised in the business and were trained in the art of making watches and jewelry and hand engraving. One of his sons, George, a talented hand engraver, engraved the Lord’s Prayer on a dime and sent it to his soon to be wife. The next day he mailed her a magnifier to read it. In 1935 Cowardin’s moved to 1707 East Main Street. It remained at that location until the early 1970s when the floods of hurricanes Agnes and Camille forced the company to move.

resized_ltcowardin.pngJust as William returned home from the battlefields to start the business, Lewis T. Cowardin, the third generation of Cowardins returned home from war in 1945 to take the helm of the family business. In 1959, the first expansion came as a new store was opened in Richmond’s first shopping center, Willow Lawn. In 1975, Cowardin’s opened another store on the South side of Richmond in Chesterfield Town Center.

In 1986, Lewis with his three sons, Brian, Ron and Clint, moved their Willow Lawn location from the mall to a new location just beside the shopping center in their own building. This is Cowardin’s current location at 4909 West Broad Street. The Chesterfield  location was closed in 1995 leaving the West Broad Street store as the company’s sole location.

L. Taylor Cowardin, great–great grandson of William, and the 5th generation of Cowardin’s Jewelers, joined the company in 2003. He, along with Brian and Clint continue the time honored tradition started over 150 years ago and are dedicated to the same core principles of honesty, hard work, dependability and service.

Our History
Menu
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Create a Wish List
  • Our History
Cowardin's Jewelers
Willow Lawn Corner
4909 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 359-9277
Store Information
Hours
Monday - Friday:10:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday:10:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

© 2021 Cowardin's Jewelers. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.