Today we’d like to introduce you to Traci Wilkes.
Hi Traci, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Traci Wilkes is a multifaceted entrepreneur, community advocate, and civic leader in Athens, Texas. With a background in the energy sector and a passion for gemology, she has built a successful jewelry business while dedicating significant time to local economic development, cultural events, and nonprofit initiatives.
Personal Background
• Early Life and Career Transition: Originally from Midland, Texas, Traci worked as a petroleum land manager in the oil and gas industry for over 20 years. Her entry into jewelry was inspired by her father, sparking her interest in the field.
• Family: Traci married Jackie Wilkes in 2010, and the couple relocated to Athens in 2012 to start a new chapter. Jackie, a retired master carpenter with 45 years in construction, now assists in the family business. They have a son, Garrett Wilkes, a U.S. Air Force veteran who joined the business after studying at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and training at the New Approach Jewelry School in Tennessee. The family attends St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Athens, where they are active members.
• Education and Certifications: Traci is a GIA graduate in diamonds and pearls.
Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion: Traci has been a key committee member since 2021, succeeding longtime leader Mary Ensign upon her retirement. The event, Texas’s longest-running fiddle contest (and the second-oldest continuous one in the U.S., dating to 1932), is organized by the Athens Old Fiddlers Foundation and other local partners. As the Executive Director of the Foundation, it features fiddle competitions, street dances, a car show, food vendors, a kiddie fair, and more—all free to the public. The 96th annual event is scheduled for April 16-17, 2027, on the Athens courthouse square, drawing participants and attendees from across Texas and beyond.
• Athens Economic Development Corporation (AEDC): Appointed to the board, Traci serves with a term expiring in September 2027. The AEDC, established in 1989, uses dedicated sales tax to fund economic growth in Athens. She represents local businesses and contributes to grant programs for business assistance, beautification, and facade improvements.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Integrating and assimilating into a small rural area and starting a brand new business was a huge challenge.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Professional Achievements: Reigning Jewels Fine Jewelry
• Business Overview: Co-owned with Jackie, Reigning Jewels is a family-operated custom jewelry store in Athens. Opened after their move, it specializes in custom designs, rare gemstones, and diamonds. Traci personally designs pieces, using interactive software to collaborate with clients on custom creations. The store sources diamonds directly from Antwerp, Belgium—the diamond capital of the world—through annual trips facilitated by their membership in the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO). They have visited Antwerp multiple times to hand-select stones, building relationships with international brokers for unique, high-quality gems not commonly available in the U.S.
• Products and Services: The store carries premium brands like Allison-Kaufman, Citizen Watch Company, Imperial Pearls, and many other designer lines. A notable example is Traci’s 2021 restoration of a charred pearl necklace for local resident Sharon Townsend after a home accident—the necklace, an antique with diamonds and pearls, was meticulously cleaned and restrung, showcasing Traci’s commitment to customer care.
Most of the graphic art & advertising media is done by Traci for the Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion and her creation of our mascot Bow Fiddley the famous fiddling armadillo has been a catalyst to educate and entertain fans of all ages about our history & music.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
If you do not take leaps of faith in your lifes journey you will not reach your full potential. There have been many stressful decisions made that were very fulfilling not just for me and my family but to serve others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://athensfiddlers.com https://itsreigningjewels.com
- Facebook: athensfiddlers
