Longtime Eugene Jeweler Charles Beaudet Retired
After a half-century in the trade, the local artisan has passed his business to his former shop foreman.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Jewelry Making
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Charles Beaudet has retired from Beaudet Custom Jewelry in Eugene after operating the shop for 50 years. His longtime shop foreman, Jen Shaline, has purchased the store and plans to rename it Shaline's Custom Jewelry.
Why it matters
The transition marks the end of an era for a storefront that has served Eugene since 1976. Beaudet, who began his career as a 12-year-old apprentice, chose to step away from the bench upon reaching his 80th birthday.
Charles Beaudet designed over 7,000 custom jewelry pieces during his 50-year career in Eugene. He began his professional journey as a 12-year-old apprentice before opening his namesake store in 1976.
The players
Charles Beaudet
He is a master jeweler who operated a custom jewelry business in Eugene for five decades.
Jen Shaline
She is the former shop foreman who purchased the business and is rebranding it as Shaline's Custom Jewelry.
The details
Beaudet retired on September 23, 2026, the same day he turned 80. The new owner, Jen Shaline, plans to expand the business by transitioning the shop into a gallery space that will feature work from local artists.
Timeline
Beaudet moved to Oregon in 1972.
Beaudet Custom Jewelry opened in 1976.
Charles Beaudet retired on September 23, 2026.
Culture Shift
This transition reflects a common shift in the artisanal sector where long-term employees acquire legacy businesses to ensure continuity. It highlights a departure from traditional corporate buyouts in favor of internal succession plans that preserve the shop's history.
Regular customers can continue to visit the location for custom work under the new branding of Shaline's Custom Jewelry. The shop will soon offer a broader experience by integrating a gallery space for various local artists.
The takeaway
Retiring business owners often find success by mentoring successors who are already familiar with the shop's unique craft and clientele. This strategy allows the original artisan to focus on personal goals, such as Beaudet's plan to author a book, while maintaining the business legacy.
Further reading
For more information on the local craft industry, visit Jewelry Making.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lookout Eugene-Springfield.
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