Our History
Winks’ Fine Jewelry has been in business for over 60 years and is currently owned and operated by Samantha Tupper.
Winks was opened in 1963 by V.H. Winkelman. It has been in the same Downtown Brookings location since, with a few expansions and remodels of course!
In 1981, Jerry Miller purchased Wink’s and grew it into the business it is today! He had an immense passion for the community of Brookings and South Dakota State University. Jerry was very active in both communities alongside the jewelry industry.
Wink’s is part of Retail Jewelers Organization, Jewelers of America, and American Gem Society. In 2015, Jerry’s granddaughter Samantha started working at Wink’s with the aspirations to take over someday!
January of 2021 Samantha and her husband Derek bought Wink’s from Jerry! Samantha is a graduate of Lake Area Technical College with a degree in Retail Merchandising, she has her Graduate Diamond Degree from GIA and is a Registered Jeweler with American Gem Society.
Samantha and Derek have 2 daughters, Reagan and Suttyn who spend most Saturdays “working” at the store with mom!
