After 136 years of continuous operation, the Standard Rivet Company has officially closed its doors — not due to bankruptcy or outsourcing, but simply because the last remaining owner has retired. This quiet yet significant ending marks the conclusion of a legacy that helped shape the American leathercraft and western wear industries.
Founded in 1888, the Standard Rivet Company served as a key supplier to the leathercrafting industry for over 137 years. Known for producing high-quality two-prong spots, decorative studs, and the reliable #2 spot setting machine, the company developed a strong reputation among artisans and manufacturers throughout the United States. Generations of craftspeople relied on their consistently made nail heads, spots, and decorative rivets — many of which became industry standards over time.
Its products were not only widely used in leatherwork, but also featured on Harley-Davidson saddlebags, Western tack, and the stage costumes of the rock band KISS, demonstrating its influence across both functional and creative industries.
Standard Rivet operated as a family-run business, maintained over many years by generational family members dedicated to upholding its product standards and customer service. In early 2025, following the retirement of its final owner, the company officially closed its doors on March 1, 2025, concluding a remarkable chapter in American leathercrafting.
In recent years, the company was operated by a small but dedicated team committed to preserving traditional American manufacturing. As competitors shifted overseas, Standard Rivet remained one of the last to produce metal embellishments domestically. However, as the industry evolved and younger generations moved on to different careers, no successors stepped forward to carry the torch.
With the owner’s retirement, operations quietly ceased, leaving a noticeable gap for suppliers, designers, and collectors who valued their products. For many in the leathercraft and western communities, the closure felt like losing a piece of history.
Why Did Standard Rivet Close?
Unlike many industrial closures driven by financial trouble or supply chain disruption, Standard Rivet’s story ends on a more personal note. The owner — who had operated the business for years after previous leadership stepped down — simply retired. With no one to take over, the business was wound down and shuttered.
In a way, this makes the story even more bittersweet. The company wasn’t failing. Its products were still in demand. But like so many legacy businesses, the time came when there was no next generation waiting in the wings.
What This Means for Leathercraft and Western wear
The closure of Standard Rivet has left a visible gap in the industry. Many of their most popular products — round head spots, flat head rivets, and decorative nailheads — were difficult to match in quality or consistency. Makers across the U.S. are now searching for alternatives that can live up to what Standard Rivet quietly produced for over a century.
For small businesses, crafters, and brands that depended on those signature pieces, sourcing has become a challenge. Quality hardware is the backbone of leatherwork. When it’s gone, designs suffer, timelines slow, and costs go up.
At Bling in the Ring, we are honored to preserve and continue part of that legacy. We have acquired some of the final product lines from Standard Rivet and will be making these items available while supplies last. Though the company is gone, its craftsmanship and influence live on through the work of artisans who still treasure these time-tested components.
How We’re Preserving the Standard Rivet Legacy
Here at Bling in the Ring, we’ve been proud to carry many of the same styles Standard Rivet helped make famous. In fact, we’ve acquired select product lines, molds, and remaining inventory to help ensure that their legacy doesn’t fade with the closing of their shop doors.
We’re working hard to:
• Keep popular sizes and styles in stock
• Recreate discontinued items using trusted manufacturing partners
• Continue offering the look and feel of genuine Standard Rivet craftsmanship
If you’re searching for specific styles or need help replacing a legacy item, we’re happy to help you find it — or make it again.
If you’re looking for original Standard Rivet products or just want to celebrate a piece of American manufacturing history, explore our shop and learn more about what made this company so respected for so long.
Bling in the Ring: Continuing the Product Line
Following the closure, Bling in the Ring acquired a portion of the Standard Rivet product line. As a business focused on high-quality leather embellishments, Bling in the Ring now provides the exact same products previously offered by Standard Rivet, including:
- Decorative Spots – Available in multiple finishes and sizes for use on belts, collars, tack, and more.
- Preset Stones – Genuine Austrian crystals preset in metal holders for easy application.
Bling in the Ring serves both independent crafters and manufacturers, continuing the availability of these proven product lines with an emphasis on quality and consistency.
Preserving Availability for the Leathercrafting Community
While the Standard Rivet Company has concluded operations, the availability of its core product offerings continues. Bling in the Ring is pleased to provide ongoing access to these trusted materials for both legacy customers and new generations of leatherworkers.
A Closing Word — But Not the End
The closure of Standard Rivet Company marks the end of a chapter in American manufacturing history, but it’s not the end of the story. Their influence lives on in the tools, belts, saddles, jackets, and custom creations that bear their metalwork. Their attention to quality set a benchmark that continues to inspire our work.
To the team at Standard Rivet — thank you for your decades of dedication to precision and consistency. You helped shape a century of craftsmanship.
To our customers — we’re here to carry the torch. Whether you’re a seasoned leatherworker or just discovering these timeless pieces, you’ll find the spirit of Standard Rivet still alive in what we offer.
Need help finding a product that used to be made by Standard Rivet?
Contact us we’re happy to help you match styles or source alternatives.
To browse the collection or learn more, visit blinginthering.com. Or contact us at info@blinginthering.com
