Bill French Jewelers holding 12th anniversary trunk show

By LYNETTE SOWELL 
Cove Leader-Press 

Longtime Copperas Cove business owner Bill French is celebrating 12 years in business this Friday by holding a 12th anniversary trunk show starting at 10 a.m. 
Bill French Jewelers’ original storefront opened its doors in 2006, with French naming the store in honor of his father, Bill French II, a former lieutenant colonel and helicopter pilot with 26 years in the military who also served the Copperas Cove community for more than four decades. 
A little more than a year ago, French’s store made the leap east to 232 Robert Griffin II Blvd. Suite 500 in the Five Hills Shopping Center, where it continues to do a steady business with its ample parking and proximity to Highway 190.
“We’ve been seeing a lot of new faces since our move,” French said.
Friday’s celebration kicks off at 10 a.m., and will feature food and drink, prizes, and more throughout the day. 
French is also raising money for a cause, Star Group – Veterans Helping Veterans. 
“I love Jonathan Haywood and Star Group, and what they do in our community,” French said. “The proceeds go to help veterans locally.”
The store has been selling tickets for a drawing in which the winner will receive a pair of ½-carat diamond earrings valued at $800, with ticket proceeds going to Star Group – VHV. 
Also on Friday, door prizes will be given away to include a handcarved Christmas clock, as well as a carved pearl necklace, a 24K gold rose, a $100 Bill French Jewelers gift card and more as part of the trunk show celebration. The winners will be drawn during the trunk show, along with the winning ticket for the diamond earrings.
With the trunk show, Armenta Jewelry will be spotlighted with a chance to purchase at a discount. French also offers in-store layaway. 
French continues to see the need for a store like his in Copperas Cove. He prides himself both on the customer service they provide and something else equally important – trust. 
One of the ways trust that comes into play is that French can digitally map customers’ jewelry pieces, such as diamonds. 
“Most diamonds, unless they’re flawless, have distinct characteristics, like birthmarks on people. A lot of people don’t have a digital map of their diamond,” French said. “The more you know, the less likely someone can take advantage of you.” Having that digital map is vital in determining not just the quality of a diamond but in knowing that the diamond or other stone that’s in their ring or other item is, in fact, the same item. 
The store offers free jewelry cleaning and polishing on site, along with watch repair. Other work, such as resizing rings, also takes place on site. 
In addition to the jewelry store, French continues to lease sign space on “The Bill Board” located next to the site of his former store, with Robyn Karns Event Planning now open for business at that space.