
R.F. Moeller Jeweler's sparkling growth brings Edina expansion and more luxury brands
After launching its own brand of natural diamonds in 2024, R.F. Moeller Jeweler is doubling the size of its Edina store and adding several premium brands to its portfolio, including Panerai and Breitling. In January 2026, the store will expand into the space previously occupied by the Edina Grill, increasing its footprint by about 3,600 square feet.
'We're always looking to grow,' said Bob Moeller, the company's president. 'This is a huge opportunity to add key brands and many more products, such as hard-to-get timepieces and jewelry collections.'
Building a legacy in the Twin Cities
R.F. Moeller's history in the Twin Cities began shortly after World War II, when Robert Moeller returned home and decided to use the G.I. Bill to go to watchmaking school. After graduation, he worked at the Emporium in downtown St. Paul before buying Highland Park's Harmon Jewelers in 1951 and renaming the business.
Since then, R.F. Moeller has helped countless customers celebrate special milestones and forged a reputation for trusted service. Today, the company employs 42 people, including a service team of seven metal smiths, a CAD designer who creates custom jewelry pieces, three Rolex-trained watchmakers and a full-time appraiser.
'We view our relationship with our clients like the one you would have with your family lawyer, banker, accountant or doctor,' said Moeller, who now shares ownership of the business with his two nephews, Bryan and James. 'You have people in key areas of your life who you trust and that's what we want to be for people. We want to be their jeweler.'
Watch and jewelry repair are important parts of the business, as is making custom pieces.
'We're a full-service jeweler,' Moeller said. 'A lot of people call themselves jewelers, but most of them are mass merchandisers who happen to sell jewelry.'
With decades-long relationship, Highland Bank helps growth plans take shape
R.F. Moeller's banking relationship with Highland Bank goes back decades. Moeller remembers his father meeting with John Turner, who served as Highland's president in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
'This is a highly cash-intensive business,' Moeller said. 'You need a partner that can understand your business and the jewelry industry is a tough one to understand.'
Because Highland Bank's team understands the nuances of its business, R.F. Moeller was able to move quickly when the opportunity arose in 2018 to buy its longtime building in Highland Park.
Highland Bank is a Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred Lender. Vice President and Commercial Banker Angie Trocke explored several financial structures for the transaction before finalizing SBA financing for the purchase of the building.
'We were at the closing table in less than six months,' Trocke said. 'It was a lot of work, but it was really exciting to see the business have that opportunity to create their lasting legacy in the neighborhood.'
expand
Highland Bank supports R.F. Moeller with a range of business banking services, which has helped as the company scales its offerings.
'They have a good business with great people,' Trocke said. 'They know how to be successful in the daily operations and that provides the bank added comfort.'
Diamonds of Wonder sales create rare beauty and brighter futures for children
One of R.F. Moeller's most high-profile additions was the 2024 launch of Diamonds of Wonder, the company's own brand of natural diamonds. The diamonds are individually tracked from the mine to the store, only passing through organizations that meet strict ethics, human rights, environmental and labor standards.
The Diamonds of Wonder line also has a social component. R.F. Moeller gives a portion of each purchase to The Dow Academy, a school that provides education to children in rural Botswana. In less than a year, Diamonds of Wonder sales have funded the annual tuition for seven students and Moeller expects that to continue to grow.
'Diamonds are given not just because they're hard or pretty, but because they're rare and something of a miracle of nature,' he said. 'When you add the charitable portion to that, it creates a compelling story.'
R.F. Moeller plans to add more brands to its portfolio. The new showroom space in Edina will make space for at least four new luxury watch brands, including Jacob & Co., Breitling, Panerai, and TAG Heuer, along with the Italian jewelry brand Vhernier.
Learn more about how Highland Bank is making a big impact on small business success at highland.bank/business/sba-loans.
R.F. Moeller Jeweler has been a third-generation, family-owned jeweler in Minnesota's Twin Cities since 1951. With locations in St. Paul and Edina, they specialize in custom engagement rings, wedding bands, natural diamonds, Swiss watches, and in-house jewelry and watch repair — backed by lifetime warranties and expert craftsmanship.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Politico
a day ago
- Politico
How Trump's Economic Policies Undercut His Promises to the Rust Belt
My hometown of Flint is perhaps exactly the kind of city President Donald Trump had in mind when he famously railed against 'American carnage' in his 2017 inauguration speech and made clear that his approach to domestic policy and geopolitics would be unlike any president before him. After all, Trump was speaking to the damage done to once-proud manufacturing hubs due to forces like globalization — a frequent target of Trump and today's political right. Flint appears to be the kind of city that Trump believes his agenda, particularly the sweeping tariffs he is imposing, will revitalize. But regardless of how his often-haphazard trade policy unfolds, the Trump administration is making other moves that are already having the opposite effect in Flint: 11 years after the city's water famously became toxic, the administration is lifting water and environmental quality controls, canceling research to monitor residents' health and upending early education programs. The net result is that Trumponomics will actually impede the critical revitalization efforts that are needed in the Rust Belt. In addition to tariffs, Trump's economic proposals focus on steep de-regulation and tax incentives for corporations. They're designed to promote economic growth with little attention to the culture and health of people in the communities they affect. This means that the administration's policies inevitably come at the expense of critical environmental protections and public health measures that are already greatly imperiled in the many low-income communities like Flint that dot the a public health researcher as well as someone born and raised in the city, I can already see this happening. But generally speaking, there should always be concern when the value and strength of a community is perceived solely in terms of its economic output, rather than the quality of life of its people. Just five months into Trump 2.0, Flint is already an emblem of what's going wrong with the new administration's plans for post-industrial cities like mine. Policies designed to stimulate economic growth will fail to revitalize cities like Flint unless they are accompanied by efforts to repair the social and environmental damage that previous failed policies left behind. It's also an object lesson in how reflexive austerity is nearly always bad for public was the birthplace of General Motors and an essential part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's 'Arsenal of Democracy' against the Axis powers in World War II. A generation ago, it sat atop the automobile industry as a predominantly white city with a booming middle class. However, over time, consumers began to seek out vehicles from foreign competitors like Honda and Toyota that were not only more reliable and more fuel efficient, but also cheaper. Simultaneously, NAFTA, and the precursors to it, paved the way for American automakers to more rapidly move production to other countries to take advantage of lower labor costs. The result in Flint and cities like it was a rapid process of deindustrialization, and many of the socioeconomic ills that come with that — white flight, unemployment, crime, distressed natural environments and diminished public health. In 2014, what became known as the Flint Water Crisis marked the nadir of that decline and brought the impact of the collapse of the country's manufacturing industry, and potential consequences, into clear focus. In fact, being known as the city with the nation's worst tap water was a potentially modest upgrade from Flint's prior reputation as one of America's murder capitals. In the last few years, however, Flint has largely avoided the national headlines, at least since a $626 million in civic settlement funds were approved in 2021 to make amends for the massive manmade environmental disaster. (To date, none of those funds have been paid out to residents.)In important ways, the water crisis had its roots in the kind of cost-cutting policy approaches that Trump favors. In 2014, officials in Flint made the fateful decision to switch the city's primary water source from Lake Huron, one of the Great Lakes, to the Flint River. At the time, the city was under the de facto leadership of Darnell Earley, an 'emergency manager' who had been appointed by the state's Republican governor, Rick Snyder. The decision from Earley, an unelected bureaucrat, was part of a broad set of austerity measures curated by the state's Republican leadership to address the city's chronic budget shortfalls. The city's engineering plan to reroute its water supply went through a porous, truncated assessment, little public debate, and relied on a workforce weakened by parallel environmental programming cuts across the city and state. Within days, residents began raising concerns — the tap water was pungent, murky and had an unsavory taste. Local public works officials largely ignored or downplayed the worries, telling residents that the water source switch would simply have some innocuous growing pains. And then residents began reporting that the water appeared to be giving them skin rashes and causing hair loss. Even leaders at General Motors chimed in, eventually telling the state that it was shutting off the new water at one of its factories due to the water corroding its manufacturing materials. Seeking to avoid upsetting by far the city's largest employer, the state soon switched the automaker's factory back to the city's original water source. But it didn't change it back for residents. It wasn't until nearly two years later that the true scope of the crisis was evident. The flashpoint was a local pediatrician reporting an abnormal spike in lead levels in the blood of the city's children. What followed was a flurry of media attention, a begrudging statement of acknowledgment from the state on the burgeoning crisis, and President Barack Obama declaring a state of emergency in Flint. Since then, an unusually seamless level of coordination between federal, state and local officials and private philanthropy has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars being funneled to Flint for causes ranging from water infrastructure upgrades to early education programming. Over the last four years, lead levels in Flint's water have consistently tested within scientifically acceptable ranges. And highly innovative, progressive programs like the RxKids program, which provides direct cash assistance to pregnant women and new mothers in Flint, were launched in direct response to the crisis. However, those positive developments belie the scale of destruction that the water crisis has otherwise wrought, destruction that's about to get worse if the Trump administration follows through on its this week, Michigan officials announced the completion of a gargantuan, oft-delayed effort to replace Flint's lead pipes — more than 11 years after the crisis began. In the interim, Flint's suffering continued. The city shed roughly a fifth of its population, about 20,000 residents, along with a substantial chunk of its already shrinking and low-wage-earning tax base. These startling changes in density directly impact the ability of the city to adequately support its remaining population; the city now lacks the resources it needs to tend to its infrastructure, public health and education systems. Researchers like me have been laser-focused on the potential consequences of elevated exposure to lead on Flint residents, particularly children and pregnant women in the city who would be uniquely vulnerable. In the environmental sciences, lead looms large as an invisible, odorless and tasteless neurotoxin that is deeply associated with conditions like cognitive delays, physical impairment, autism and ADHD. For these reasons, as well as its incurability, scientists increasingly regard lead asa key force in social and economic inequality. In research from my team that was conducted in 2019, five years after the crisis started, Flint residents reported a significant uptick in neurological and developmental issues among their adolescent children. Another group of researchers found that fertility rates in Flint dipped by 12 percent and that overall health at birth decreased. And roughly 29 percent of Flint adultsthat we surveyed showed heightened signs of posttraumatic stress disorder in relationship to the water crisis. These are just a few of the harrowing results of studies conducted in Flint in the aftermath of one of the nation's most tragic — and preventable — environmental these kinds of social, economic and environmental inequities are exactly what the Trump administration doesn't want to address, or that they believe will magically disappear when manufacturing makes its triumphant return — making the forecast for recovery for Flint and its residents much more concerning. Some of the negative consequences are already showing up. In March, the Environmental Protection Agency highlighted plans to roll back protections under the Clean Water Act that set pollution limits and aid monitoring efforts. Inexplicably, the EPA is currently in the midst of its third extension to decide if it'll support the lead and copper regulations that were strengthened by the Biden administration in response to lessons learned from Flint's water crisis. And with Trump's new prohibitions now in place on the funding of research and programs addressing environmental injustice — of which the water crisis in Flint is emblematic — dozens of previously awarded grants to Flint researchers and community groups are susceptible to truncation or complete defunding. In March, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated that the Department of Transportation would be eliminating a Biden-era request for state agencies to consider social justice and environmental concerns in infrastructure project decisions, making communities like Flint deeply vulnerable — again — to both manmade and natural environmental impacts also extend to Flint's public education system, which is currently poised to lose roughly $15.6 million in federal funding due to the Department of Education's recent decision to cancel Covid relief funds that were previously set to expire in 2026. Along with Trump's proposed elimination of the Department of Education, which is vital for providing guidance and support on programming for children with disabilities (including those caused by lead exposure), cuts of this nature are poised to deal another blow to early education support in Flint as the volume of children needing it likely significantly increases. In 2018, officials launched the Flint Registry, a tool that not only aids Flint residents in finding health services and programs, but also serves as a crucial data repository for tracking health outcomes in the city, enabling researchers and practitioners to better understand the consequences of the crisis and improve their response to it. The registry, whose vital work has stalled due to Trump's orders, was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Trump administration plans to cleave the CDC's workforce by roughly 18 percent, including ing some 2,400 employees who focused on environmental monitoring as well as grant administration and support. It's unclear whether somewhere in the hazy future, Trump's gambles with tariffs will restore manufacturing in places like Flint. While campaigning in 2016, Trump, who visited Flint twice during his initial presidential run and once during his latest run, once observed, 'It used to be, cars were made in Flint and you couldn't drink the water in Mexico. Now, the cars are made in Mexico and you can't drink the water in Flint.' His quip wasn't far off, but a larger point was missed. Tariffs might restart some level of domestic manufacturing, but without deeper investment in our social and public health infrastructure, cities like Flint won't recover and will remain unable to offer its residents either manufacturing jobs or clean water — or much else.


CNBC
a day ago
- CNBC
Economist Nouriel Roubini sees a ‘mini stagflationary shock' coming in the second half of 2025
An economist and investor nicknamed "Dr. Doom" sees a rough patch ahead for the U.S. economy, but isn't advocating any panicked selling. Nouriel Roubini told CNBC that he expects the core personal consumption expenditures index — the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation metric — to reach about 3.5% by the end of the year, and economic growth to weaken and possibly turn negative. Best known for calling the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, Roubini said the second half will amount to "a mini stagflationary shock," and that the Fed will hold off on rate cuts until at least December. That view includes an expectation of a "mild" resolution to trade negotiations that ends with many countries facing a 15% rate, the economist said. "I'm not expecting, certainly, anything close to April 2," Roubini said, referring to the tariff levels announced by President Donald Trump that day that sparked a steep market sell-off. Roubini, a Harvard-trained economist, has a long track record in the academia, government and the private sector. The "Dr. Doom" moniker refers to numerous macroeconomic warnings he has issued throughout his career. His hit rate is not perfect, but he was early in warning about the financial crisis and a virus-induced recession in 2020. He is also one of the portfolio managers on the Atlas America Fund (USAF) , an ETF launched late last year that aims to guard against economic risks from structurally higher inflation to climate change. The fund is designed to be less volatile than the stock market but is "not a portfolio for doomsday," Roubini said. The fund is still small and thinly traded, with only about $17 million in assets, according to FactSet. But performance has been solid. The multi-asset fund has gained more than 5% since inception last November. That trailis the S & P 500 , but USAF has shown its defensive mettle, falling less than 3% in the days following the April 2 "Liberation Day" tariff announcements, when U.S. stocks soon fell roughly 20%. USAF 1Y mountain The Atlas America Fund saw a smaller drawdown in April than broad stock market indexes. "We don't particularly want outsized returns in one month. We'd rather have the slow and steady uptick, which is exactly what we've been seeing," said Puneet Agarwal, one of other portfolio managers for USAF. The portfolio, which includes large positions in gold, short-term U.S. government debt and exposure to agricultural commodities, has changed some since the fund's launch. USAF has recently added exposure to defense technology and cybersecurity stocks, and bought short-term inflation-protected bonds, while dialing back holdings in real estate, Agarwal said. The fund's large bet on gold helped it outperform the stock market earlier this year, but also contributed to USAF's relatively sluggish performance in June. Roubini said the bet on gold is part of a longer-term theory that the world is moving away from the U.S. dollar. "We're not expecting things to crash. But the trend is clear and it is going [in] one direction," Roubini said.

Time Business News
a day ago
- Time Business News
Super Clone Rolex: The Ultimate Guide to Super Clone Watches
When it comes to luxury watches, the super clone Rolex has been gaining attention for offering almost identical designs to the original Rolex watches, but at a fraction of the cost. Many watch enthusiasts are now turning towards super clone watches for their ability to deliver premium quality without the hefty price tag. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about super clone Rolex and how these watches stack up against their authentic counterparts. By reading this, you will gain a better understanding of what super clone watches offer, how they maintain Rolex-level aesthetics, and whether or not investing in one is worth it. Let's dive into the world of super clones and explore their growing popularity! Super clone Rolex watches are premium replicas crafted to closely resemble every aspect of the original Rolex timepieces. These watches are made using superior craftsmanship and materials, allowing them to mirror the look, feel, and performance of the authentic timepiece. The main reason behind the popularity of super clone Rolex models is their ability to provide luxury at a much lower price. High-Quality Craftsmanship: Super clone Rolex watches use stainless steel, ceramics, and sapphire crystal, just like the original. Super clone Rolex watches use stainless steel, ceramics, and sapphire crystal, just like the original. Accurate Movements: These watches use movements that closely match Rolex's calibers, ensuring similar timekeeping precision. These watches use movements that closely match Rolex's calibers, ensuring similar timekeeping precision. Authentic Aesthetics: Every detail, from the Rolex crown logo to the engraved case back, is meticulously replicated. Every detail, from the Rolex crown logo to the engraved case back, is meticulously replicated. Affordable Luxury: While genuine Rolex watches can cost thousands of dollars, a super clone is available for a fraction of the price. If you are someone who loves the aesthetic and prestige associated with Rolex but doesn't want to spend thousands of dollars, super clone watches provide a practical solution. The Super clone watches market has grown, with enthusiasts praising the craftsmanship and quality at a lower cost. Super clones are not only affordable but also highly durable and functional. These watches are built to endure everyday use, offering durability similar to that of authentic Rolex timepieces. Whether you're looking for a super clone Rolex or any other model, you can be assured of long-lasting performance without compromising on quality. Weight: An authentic Rolex has a substantial, solid feel to it. Super clones designed with the right materials can mirror this weight accurately. Movement: Movement: Pay attention to the fluid, continuous motion of the second hand. Rolex watches have a fluid, continuous motion. Engraving & Markings: The case back and clasp should have crisp and precise engravings, like the original Rolex. Date Cyclops Lens: The date on a super clone Rolex should magnify properly under the Cyclops lens, just like an original Rolex. Not all clones are created equal. Cheap clones may look like Rolex watches from a distance but fall short when examined closely. Be wary of: Poor quality metals or crystals Inaccurate weight or movement Poorly done engravings The most noticeable difference between a super clone Rolex and an authentic Rolex is the price. A genuine Rolex can cost upwards of $10,000, while a super clone Rolex is available for a fraction of that price. Although the super clone Rolex offers a high level of accuracy, certain minute details, such as the finishing, engraving, and movement, may still be noticeable upon close inspection. Authentic Rolex watches feature superior craftsmanship that is challenging to replicate. When it comes to resale value, authentic Rolex watches tend to hold their worth or even appreciate over time. In contrast, super clone watches typically do not retain substantial resale value. You can find super clone Rolex watches on specialized online marketplaces. Some of the most reliable websites include: SuperCloneSwissWatch – A marketplace dedicated to providing high-quality Rolex clones. – A marketplace dedicated to providing high-quality Rolex clones. ETA Watches India – Known for offering premium super clone watches with a variety of designs and models. Some high-end watch dealers also carry super clone models, although it's essential to verify the authenticity and quality of the product before making a purchase. Incredible Value: You get the luxury look of Rolex without the luxury price tag. You get the luxury look of Rolex without the luxury price tag. Wide Variety: There are numerous styles and variations of super clone watches to choose from, allowing you to find a perfect match for your style. There are numerous styles and variations of super clone watches to choose from, allowing you to find a perfect match for your style. Durability: Super clones are built to last, offering exceptional performance for years. If you're someone who admires the Rolex brand but is not willing to spend a fortune, then super clone watches provide a compelling alternative. They offer the look, feel, and functionality of a Rolex watch but at a much more affordable price. However, if you're looking for a watch with long-term investment potential or the prestige that comes with owning a genuine Rolex, the super clone may not be the right choice. To sum up, super clone Rolex watches are a great option for those who want a high-quality timepiece that mimics the classic Rolex style. They provide excellent value for the price and can offer a similar aesthetic and performance. However, it's essential to choose high-quality clones and purchase them from reputable sources to ensure you get your money's worth. Apply these insights today to find the best super clone Rolex or any other super clone watches that suit your needs and budget. Yes, if you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative to an authentic Rolex, super clone Rolex watches provide excellent quality at a fraction of the price. Check for weight, movement smoothness, engravings, and the date magnification through the Cyclops lens. High-quality clones will closely mirror the original Rolex. You can find reputable sellers like ETA Watches India and Super Clone Swiss Watch online. Super clone watches do not typically hold value in the same way genuine Rolex watches do. They are a great value for personal use but not suitable for resale investment. Super clone Rolex watches generally range from $200 to $1,000, depending on quality and craftsmanship. TIME BUSINESS NEWS