Established in 1990, Green River Silver Co. is one of Rhode Island's largest importers of fine sterling jewelry from around the world. Owner John Goldman started out traveling to the mountains of Southern Mexico buying handcrafted sterling jewelry direct from the artisans and selling at craft shows, music festivals and corporate events throughout New England, eventually doing up to 90 shows a year. In 1999, John and his younger brother Dan opened their first retail store on Hope Street in Providence. Following their success at that location, they opened their second shop in Wickford Village in the spring of 2002, and a third shop on Hope Street in Bristol in November 2004.

John travels extensively in the US and around the world to bring back unique, handcrafted jewelry. Green River buys pieces directly from artisans in the southwestern US, Mexico, India, Bali, Israel, Poland and Thailand several times a year.