About us
HISTORY
For over 111 years, Sturhahn Jewelers has been one of the most trusted names in jewelry in the Quincy area. We are a well-established jewelry store that has grown with our community from a small store to a multiple brand jewelry retailer. We have served generations of families as their trusted jeweler for brilliant diamonds, beautiful fine jewelry, elegant watches, treasured gifts, custom made styles and expert jewelry repairs. Sturhahn Jewelers is committed to make every customer "feel at home" with our personalized service and our classic to cutting edge jewelry designs. Our years of experience and services have built a legacy of integrity and trust with our customers.
At Sturhahn Jewelers our mission has always been a tradition of trust, high ethical standards, knowledge of our jewelry products and services, fair pricing and value to our customers.
OUR HISTORY
The First Generation of Jewelers – the story begins…
It was back in October of 1911 when Walter H. Sturhahn, at the young age of 23, opened his own business, Sturhahn Jewelers, at 410 S. 8th Street, Quincy, Illinois. Before he ventured out on his own, Walter had worked six years for Thomas A. Brown, a jeweler located in the old Wells building at 5th and Maine in Quincy. There, Walter learned to be a watchmaker, hand engraver, jeweler and businessman.
In one year, Walter proved himself and his business a success to his sweetheart’s father, and on October 15, 1912 Walter and Adelaide Lechtenberg were married.
Due to prosperous growth, Sturhahn Jewelers moved in 1917 to the southeast corner of 8th & State Street, where it would remain for 87 years.
It was back in October of 1911 when Walter H. Sturhahn, at the young age of 23, opened his own business, Sturhahn Jewelers, at 410 S. 8th Street, Quincy, Illinois. Before he ventured out on his own, Walter had worked six years for Thomas A. Brown, a jeweler located in the old Wells building at 5th and Maine in Quincy. There, Walter learned to be a watchmaker, hand engraver, jeweler and businessman.
In one year, Walter proved himself and his business a success to his sweetheart’s father, and on October 15, 1912 Walter and Adelaide Lechtenberg were married.
Due to prosperous growth, Sturhahn Jewelers moved in 1917 to the southeast corner of 8th & State Street, where it would remain for 87 years.
Second Generation Jewelers – the story continues…
Down the road, three of Walter and Adelaide’s six sons joined their father in the jewelry business. Grant and Harold joined in 1946 after serving in WWII and Don, the youngest son, would join the family business in 1954 after serving in the Korean War. During busy holiday and wedding seasons, their wives, Georgann, Lucille, and Joan (respectively) would help in the store with sales, gift delivery, and bookkeeping.
When Walter, the owner and founder of Sturhahn Jewelers, stepped down from active participation in the business, the boys took on more responsibility. Grant became the store manager, Harold the watchmaker, and Don the bench jeweler.
In 1964, Sturhahn Jewelers became Registered Members of the American Gem Society (AGS, www.ags.org), an organization dedicated to consumer protection, honesty, and ethics in business.
Down the road, three of Walter and Adelaide’s six sons joined their father in the jewelry business. Grant and Harold joined in 1946 after serving in WWII and Don, the youngest son, would join the family business in 1954 after serving in the Korean War. During busy holiday and wedding seasons, their wives, Georgann, Lucille, and Joan (respectively) would help in the store with sales, gift delivery, and bookkeeping.
When Walter, the owner and founder of Sturhahn Jewelers, stepped down from active participation in the business, the boys took on more responsibility. Grant became the store manager, Harold the watchmaker, and Don the bench jeweler.
In 1964, Sturhahn Jewelers became Registered Members of the American Gem Society (AGS, www.ags.org), an organization dedicated to consumer protection, honesty, and ethics in business.
The Third Generation – the tradition carries on…
Always looking for new opportunities, Sturhahns purchased Lebold & Voegele Jewelers in Macomb, Illinois in July of 1971. Harold’s son, Alan, was named manager of this new store. Alan later closed the Macomb store and relocated to Marshall, Missouri where he and his wife Leslie purchased Esser Jewelers. Esser Jewelers is now operated as an independent Sturhahn Jewelers business.
Another third generation jeweler was Don’s son, Steve. Steve joined the Quincy business at age 14. In 1979, when his father Don passed away, Steve stepped into the role of bench jeweler. Joan, Steve’s mother, became an active member of the business. Steve became certified as a Registered Jeweler of the American Gem Society.
Five years after Don’s death, his son-in-law Bob Rakers joined the business and worked there until his retirement in 2000. In that same year, Steve’s wife Carol began working at Sturhahn Jewelers. She earned her Accredited Jewelry Professional title from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA, www.gia.edu), and her Certified Sales Associate title from the AGS.
Always looking for new opportunities, Sturhahns purchased Lebold & Voegele Jewelers in Macomb, Illinois in July of 1971. Harold’s son, Alan, was named manager of this new store. Alan later closed the Macomb store and relocated to Marshall, Missouri where he and his wife Leslie purchased Esser Jewelers. Esser Jewelers is now operated as an independent Sturhahn Jewelers business.
Another third generation jeweler was Don’s son, Steve. Steve joined the Quincy business at age 14. In 1979, when his father Don passed away, Steve stepped into the role of bench jeweler. Joan, Steve’s mother, became an active member of the business. Steve became certified as a Registered Jeweler of the American Gem Society.
Five years after Don’s death, his son-in-law Bob Rakers joined the business and worked there until his retirement in 2000. In that same year, Steve’s wife Carol began working at Sturhahn Jewelers. She earned her Accredited Jewelry Professional title from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA, www.gia.edu), and her Certified Sales Associate title from the AGS.
Expansion, Relocation, Re-invention of the business…
Steve & Carol expanded and relocated the business the summer of 2004 to its third and current location at 2801 Broadway Street in Quincy. This spacious, modern new store is a reflection of the Sturhahn tradition, always considering customers wants and needs and finding new ways to be their “jeweler of choice”! The signature Sturhahn Street clock, a traditional Quincy landmark, also made the move from the downtown 8th & State location.
Steve & Carol expanded and relocated the business the summer of 2004 to its third and current location at 2801 Broadway Street in Quincy. This spacious, modern new store is a reflection of the Sturhahn tradition, always considering customers wants and needs and finding new ways to be their “jeweler of choice”! The signature Sturhahn Street clock, a traditional Quincy landmark, also made the move from the downtown 8th & State location.
The Fourth Generation of Jewelers – The Moment Continues to Matter…
Two of Steve and Carol’s four children joined the family business. Sarah Stegeman began her career at Sturhahn Jewelers in June 2000. Sarah graduated from the New York City campus of the Gemological Institute of America with her Graduate Gemologist Degree in March 2006. She went on to earn her Master Graduate Gemologist title from the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO, www.ijo.com) in 2008. She has a sharp eye for style and is a very good listener, which makes it easy for our customers find just what they’re looking for!
Then in August 2008, Jeff Sturhahn joined the family tradition. Jeff graduated in November 2008 from the New Approach School for Jewelers with a Graduate Bench Jeweler Degree. Jeff combines his strong creative abilities with his technical expertise to create custom jewelry pieces that are one-of-a-kind! He is also the forth generation of Sturhahns to work as a bench jeweler. Both Jeff and Sarah are proud to carry on the family tradition of Making the Moment Matter!
Two of Steve and Carol’s four children joined the family business. Sarah Stegeman began her career at Sturhahn Jewelers in June 2000. Sarah graduated from the New York City campus of the Gemological Institute of America with her Graduate Gemologist Degree in March 2006. She went on to earn her Master Graduate Gemologist title from the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO, www.ijo.com) in 2008. She has a sharp eye for style and is a very good listener, which makes it easy for our customers find just what they’re looking for!
Then in August 2008, Jeff Sturhahn joined the family tradition. Jeff graduated in November 2008 from the New Approach School for Jewelers with a Graduate Bench Jeweler Degree. Jeff combines his strong creative abilities with his technical expertise to create custom jewelry pieces that are one-of-a-kind! He is also the forth generation of Sturhahns to work as a bench jeweler. Both Jeff and Sarah are proud to carry on the family tradition of Making the Moment Matter!
promise
Our Promise at is to provide our customers with a shopping experience that will exceed their expectations of our store, our merchandise and our service.
will accomplish this by:
• Providing you with exceptional attention with every visit to our store.
• Helping you celebrate your life's special occasions.
• Providing superior value in terms of merchandise quality, price, selection and satisfaction.
• A commitment to conduct ourselves with integrity and exceed our customer's expectations in every facet of our business.
We realize that individual taste, styling and design are extremely important to you when you decide to make your jewelry purchase. Our aim is to provide quality services and products with the highest degree of customer satisfaction. Our globally sourced designs help to express your unique personality and suit your lifestyle. We will personally help you to select the exact style & design that will celebrate the important occasions and milestones of your life.
will accomplish this by:
• Providing you with exceptional attention with every visit to our store.
• Helping you celebrate your life's special occasions.
• Providing superior value in terms of merchandise quality, price, selection and satisfaction.
• A commitment to conduct ourselves with integrity and exceed our customer's expectations in every facet of our business.
We realize that individual taste, styling and design are extremely important to you when you decide to make your jewelry purchase. Our aim is to provide quality services and products with the highest degree of customer satisfaction. Our globally sourced designs help to express your unique personality and suit your lifestyle. We will personally help you to select the exact style & design that will celebrate the important occasions and milestones of your life.
SERVICES
All products come with the service and quality upon which we have built our reputation over the last years. Service after the sale is equally as important as the sale itself. provides reliable quality, trustworthy expertise and a commitment to service like none other. We stand behind your purchase because we believe in the quality of our jewelry and value the longevity of a personal and special relationship with you. There are moments in life that transcends the everyday, and is here to make those moments sparkle!
We offer our customers a wide range of designs to celebrate the important moments of their life. Our personal relations with our customers have grown over the years and we value the trust you have placed upon us. We help you to select the perfect style to suit your lifestyle. For us no question is too insignificant. You will receive our personal service and detail attention to every purchase you will make.
We offer our customers a wide range of designs to celebrate the important moments of their life. Our personal relations with our customers have grown over the years and we value the trust you have placed upon us. We help you to select the perfect style to suit your lifestyle. For us no question is too insignificant. You will receive our personal service and detail attention to every purchase you will make.
PRODUCTS
We have a fabulous collection of classic to contemporary jewelry designs and unique styles that nurture your emotions and enhance the joy of gift giving and receiving. The inspiration for our jewelry designs comes from you, our customers, as well as the jewelry trade shows that we attend to source the latest and most innovative jewelry products from across the globe. At , you will find a wide selection of fine jewelry, from exquisite Bridals, gorgeous Fashion Rings, beautiful Earrings & Pendants, to attractive Bracelets as well as many Unique and Custom Styles. Our spectacular selection of jewelry is available with a variety of high quality diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, tanzanite, pearls, aquamarine and other semi-precious gemstones. We have a stunning collection of gold and silver jewelry, as well as many fine watch brands to provide you with a wide range of choice for every occasion.
Always competitively priced, is committed to being your vital link to the world of beautiful jewelry!
Always competitively priced, is committed to being your vital link to the world of beautiful jewelry!
QUALITY
guarantees you full satisfaction and value for your money. We are obsessive about quality. We deal with the finest manufacturers across the globe that follow the highest standards of workmanship. We inspect every piece of jewelry and makes sure it follows our strict internal standards of quality control. Our approach makes it possible to offer our customer ultimate satisfaction from every perspective, be it precious metal casting, stone setting, polishing, finishing, style & designs or before & after sales services. No question is too insignificant. You will receive personalized service and you can expect our strict attention to every detail.
We personally select each piece of jewelry, diamonds and gemstones in our cases. Since we sell only what we ourselves carefully selected and inspected, we have unrivalled quality control. At our store you can compare different pieces side by side, see, feel and appreciate the difference quality makes.
We personally select each piece of jewelry, diamonds and gemstones in our cases. Since we sell only what we ourselves carefully selected and inspected, we have unrivalled quality control. At our store you can compare different pieces side by side, see, feel and appreciate the difference quality makes.
STAFF
CAROL STURHAHN
Certified Sales Associate, AGS
SARAH STEGEMAN
Graduate Gemologist, GIA
Certified Gemologist, AGS
Master Graduate Gemologist, IJO
KYLE STEGEMAN
Accredited Jewelry Professional, GIA
JEFF STURHAHN
JA Certified Bench Jeweler, JA
Accredited Jewelry Professional, GIA
CECILIA SHERMAN
Bench Jeweler, Applied Jewelry Professional, GIA
CASSIDY ELSIE
Applied Jewelry Professional, GIA
BRENDA OLPS
Sales Associate
MACY SMITH
Sales Associate, Applied Jewelry Professional
MONICA PULS
Sales Associate
THERESA LUDWIG
Sales Associate
ABIGAIL CLARK
CAD Designer
STORE
We realize that individual taste, styling and design are extremely important to you when you decide to make your jewelry purchase. Our aim is to provide quality services and products with the highest degree of customer satisfaction. Our globally sourced designs help to express your unique personality and suit your lifestyle. We will personally help you to select the exact style & design that will celebrate the important occasions and milestones of your life.
Contact Us / Location
Please Visit at the following location.
Email:
Phone:
Contact Us / Location
Please Visit at the following location.
Email:
Phone:
Opening Hours:
Why Shop Us
Why Shop Us - Reasons to Buy from an Independent Jeweler
A Neighbor You Can Trust
Buying jewelry is all about trust. You can trust us because we are an active part of your community. We support local charities and volunteer our time to support local causes. We are here for you and your neighbors and will serve you above and beyond what a corporate business would because we know that word of mouth is the lifeblood of a local business. Make sure when you have a good experience, you tell your friends too!
Growing With You
As we get older, we sometimes get larger too. We will make sure your jewelry grows with you by resizing your rings and adding links to bracelets, necklaces and watches. If you become very successful later in life, you may want to upgrade an engagement ring, without replacing it, by adding a match to your original center diamond and a larger center diamond between them. Our relationship with you will last a lifetime. In fact, for many families, it stretches for generations.
Individual Style
In a world where mass production and volume retail is becoming more common, many people settle for cookie-cutter jewelry. Volume retailers order every style by the thousands. You’ll see anything you buy there over and over, even when you travel to other towns. But when you buy from us, you can choose styles that have been hand selected just for your individual taste. In fact we keep individual customers in mind when we go on buying trips and may select something just for you. You will receive individual service that you can never get from a huge corporation that buys in bulk for all its stores.
Not Just a Face in the Crowd
You are important to us: as a friend, a neighbor, and an individual, not just another face in the crowd. We will remember your anniversary and will even know which style your spouse tried on during a recent visit. And we will help you build a wardrobe that works: we can suggest some earrings to match a necklace you bought last year. When you take a big step in your life, like getting engaged or celebrating the birth of a child, we understand how important it is to make the moment match the emotion and can help you personalize your purchase.
Care & Cleaning
Not only do we care about you, but we care about your jewelry too! Cleaning rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings keeps them beautiful. Bring in your rings every year or two to have the prongs checked to make sure that you never lose a gemstone. We offer this as a free service to customers. When your jewelry looks good, we look good too! Only a local jeweler cares to make sure that your jewelry stays beautiful forever..
Competitive Pricing
You might be surprised at how competitive we can be. We belong to a powerful buying group which multiples our buying power by hundreds of stores so we can negotiate excellent values on the jewelry we select for you. We travel far & wide to buy our diamonds direct from the source and choose each diamond we sell for maximum beauty and value. Don’t be fooled by the deceptive 80 percent off offers that clog your mailbox: we offer you honest value every day.
Professional Advice
When you buy at a chain store or a mass merchant, the person behind the counter might have sold auto parts or ice cream the week before. When you buy from us, you will get good advice from a professional, someone who eats, breathes and sleeps jewelry. We have gemological training, read professional journals to keep up to date, travel to trade fairs and seminars and learn all about the products we offer. We can help you be an educated buyer and choose the jewelry that is just right for your lifestyle.
Authorized Dealers
We are an authorized dealer for all the brands we carry. This is especially important for watch brands, since grey market watches are often not covered by warranties. In fact, they might even be fakes! The makers of respected brands know that we will stand behind their products with the right kind of product education and after-sales support. As an authorized dealer, we also have access to the latest, most in-demand styles of the season. Make sure the brand you buy is legitimate by buying it in our store.
Attention to Detail
We personally selects each piece of jewelry and gemstone in our cases. We don't sell jewelry from some central warehouse. Since we sell only what we ourselves carefully select, we have unrivalled quality control. When a mass merchant buys thousand of items, often deliveries are only spot-checked. Since we care enough to look carefully at every jewelry piece before buying it, shouldn't you? If you buy from a website or from TV, the piece you receive may not be what you are expecting. At our store you can compare different pieces side by side, see the difference diamond qualities make, and also try on jewelry before you buy.
Designs of Your Dreams
If you're not getting what you want, we can find it or make it for you. If it’s something simple, you might find it in the catalogs from our preferred suppliers and it can be special ordered for you. And we also offer custom jewelry, with your choice of design and gemstones. You can remake an old piece that you don’t wear or make your jewelry design a reality; it’s up to you, let us making your jewelry dreams come true.
A Neighbor You Can Trust
Buying jewelry is all about trust. You can trust us because we are an active part of your community. We support local charities and volunteer our time to support local causes. We are here for you and your neighbors and will serve you above and beyond what a corporate business would because we know that word of mouth is the lifeblood of a local business. Make sure when you have a good experience, you tell your friends too!
Growing With You
As we get older, we sometimes get larger too. We will make sure your jewelry grows with you by resizing your rings and adding links to bracelets, necklaces and watches. If you become very successful later in life, you may want to upgrade an engagement ring, without replacing it, by adding a match to your original center diamond and a larger center diamond between them. Our relationship with you will last a lifetime. In fact, for many families, it stretches for generations.
Individual Style
In a world where mass production and volume retail is becoming more common, many people settle for cookie-cutter jewelry. Volume retailers order every style by the thousands. You’ll see anything you buy there over and over, even when you travel to other towns. But when you buy from us, you can choose styles that have been hand selected just for your individual taste. In fact we keep individual customers in mind when we go on buying trips and may select something just for you. You will receive individual service that you can never get from a huge corporation that buys in bulk for all its stores.
Not Just a Face in the Crowd
You are important to us: as a friend, a neighbor, and an individual, not just another face in the crowd. We will remember your anniversary and will even know which style your spouse tried on during a recent visit. And we will help you build a wardrobe that works: we can suggest some earrings to match a necklace you bought last year. When you take a big step in your life, like getting engaged or celebrating the birth of a child, we understand how important it is to make the moment match the emotion and can help you personalize your purchase.
Care & Cleaning
Not only do we care about you, but we care about your jewelry too! Cleaning rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings keeps them beautiful. Bring in your rings every year or two to have the prongs checked to make sure that you never lose a gemstone. We offer this as a free service to customers. When your jewelry looks good, we look good too! Only a local jeweler cares to make sure that your jewelry stays beautiful forever..
Competitive Pricing
You might be surprised at how competitive we can be. We belong to a powerful buying group which multiples our buying power by hundreds of stores so we can negotiate excellent values on the jewelry we select for you. We travel far & wide to buy our diamonds direct from the source and choose each diamond we sell for maximum beauty and value. Don’t be fooled by the deceptive 80 percent off offers that clog your mailbox: we offer you honest value every day.
Professional Advice
When you buy at a chain store or a mass merchant, the person behind the counter might have sold auto parts or ice cream the week before. When you buy from us, you will get good advice from a professional, someone who eats, breathes and sleeps jewelry. We have gemological training, read professional journals to keep up to date, travel to trade fairs and seminars and learn all about the products we offer. We can help you be an educated buyer and choose the jewelry that is just right for your lifestyle.
Authorized Dealers
We are an authorized dealer for all the brands we carry. This is especially important for watch brands, since grey market watches are often not covered by warranties. In fact, they might even be fakes! The makers of respected brands know that we will stand behind their products with the right kind of product education and after-sales support. As an authorized dealer, we also have access to the latest, most in-demand styles of the season. Make sure the brand you buy is legitimate by buying it in our store.
Attention to Detail
We personally selects each piece of jewelry and gemstone in our cases. We don't sell jewelry from some central warehouse. Since we sell only what we ourselves carefully select, we have unrivalled quality control. When a mass merchant buys thousand of items, often deliveries are only spot-checked. Since we care enough to look carefully at every jewelry piece before buying it, shouldn't you? If you buy from a website or from TV, the piece you receive may not be what you are expecting. At our store you can compare different pieces side by side, see the difference diamond qualities make, and also try on jewelry before you buy.
Designs of Your Dreams
If you're not getting what you want, we can find it or make it for you. If it’s something simple, you might find it in the catalogs from our preferred suppliers and it can be special ordered for you. And we also offer custom jewelry, with your choice of design and gemstones. You can remake an old piece that you don’t wear or make your jewelry design a reality; it’s up to you, let us making your jewelry dreams come true.
