A MARKET jeweller who was well known for piercing the ears of Derby teenagers has died aged 74.
Jan Greensmith ran Jan's Jewels for more than 30 years, selling gold and silver jewellery and accessories.
Husband Geoff, 55, said: "There are so many people in Derby who remember Jan for piercing their ears.
"She loved life. I know she would thank everybody for their custom over the years.
"She loved the customers and traders alike."
Jan, who lived in Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire, came to Derby in 1960, when she met her first husband.
Jan worked at the Home and Colonial grocery shop, in the Cornmarket, as well as Spondon Supply Stores.
She set up Jan's Jewels in 1972 in Derby's Morledge Market, after being inspired by a friend.
When she divorced in 1982, her first husband remained at the Eagle Market stall, while she moved to the Market Hall.
In 1982, Jan, who was then 42, met Geoff, 23, at a club in Agard Street.
Geoff said: "I remember going to the club at about 10pm – it was June 10, 1982.
"There was only Jan and I in the club. We got talking and we hit it off straight away.
"It was love at first sight. We were never apart."
Geoff began helping out at the stall that October and the couple married at Derby Register Office in 1983.
Geoff said: "It was hilarious. We were always larking about – the stallholders were always game for a laugh.
"Sometimes Jan and her daughter, Jane, as well as the stallholder next door, Pat, would pretend they had an imaginary skipping rope.
"Jan would get people to walk round it while Jane jumped up and down. She had a devilish sense of humour.
"I remember one Christmas – it must have been 20 years ago – when there was 2ft of snow on the ground outside the Market Hall.
"Jan always had a bell with her that she'd ring. She started shouting, 'Donkey rides for 50p'.
"Grandparents with their children were coming in asking where the rides were – Jan would do anything to get people in to spend money!"
She retired in 2005 but remained a key part of the business.
Jan died peacefully on September 2, at the Royal Derby Hospital.
Jan's Jewels will continue to be run by Jane and Geoff.
