The Lustig Jewelers Story - Offering Fine Jewelry Then and Now

Serving the Chicagoland Area Since 1949

Family Business Department Store began offering Fine Jewelry

Lustig Jewelers, a family owned jewelry store founded in 1949 by Ted Lustig, was originally located at 1219 Clark street in Chicago, Illinois.  It began as a department store carrying men's and ladies' apparel as well as appliances.  Four years later, a move to a larger location at 1256 N. Milwaukee Ave in Chicago allowed for the addition of a fine jewelry department.

The store transitioned to specializing in engagement rings, wedding rings and custom jewelry.

By the mid 1970's, the primary focus was the selling and servicing of fine jewelry and since that time, countless customers have made Lustig Jewelers their go-to for engagement rings, wedding rings, custom jewelry, and all other fashion and bridal jewelry alike.

Dan Lustig joined full-time in 1981, and by 1986 opened a new location in Vernon Hills at Westfield's Hawthorn Shopping Center.  On September 1, 2006, Lustig Jewelers moved to our current location in the Aspen Pointe Shopping Center in Vernon Hills.

Lustig Jewelers Today: Customer Service Focused

From the beginning, Lustig Jewelers has been dedicated to exemplary customer service and fair pricing, with a focus on truly knowing our customers. In 1982, Eleanor Lustig captured that commitment in the slogan, “Come in as a customer…leave as our friend,” a philosophy that remains the backbone of who we are today. Building on more than six decades of personal care, Lustig continues to offer the region’s largest selection of engagement rings, bridal jewelry, fine jewelry, gemstone pieces, and custom designs—paired with a first-rate shopping experience we proudly guarantee.

That legacy now enters its next chapter. In January 2025, Lustig Jewelers was proudly taken over by Michael Helfer, the new owner, who brings with him a three-generation family heritage in diamonds and fine jewelry. The Helfer story began in 1933, when Michael’s grandfather David opened a wholesale office in Chicago, followed by a retail store in 1939 and, over time, more than fifteen locations across the Midwest. Michael joined the family business with his brother Gregg in 2003 after a successful career in sales and marketing, later becoming owner of Gregg Helfer Ltd. in 2016. Today, he brings that same passion for quality, integrity, and service to Lustig Jewelers—alongside the trusted staff and jeweler you already know—while expanding inventory and renewing our commitment to serving the community with genuine care.

 

"Exceptional Customer Service is an understatement. It's more like perfection!" 

-Jim Blair, loyal customer

Expanded Gold Buying Program

Lustig has expanded our services to include a gold buying program, which offers clients an opportunity to turn out-of-date or broken gold jewelry into instant cash. Customers may also opt for creating new, custom jewelry designs with the gold they have brought in.

Custom Jewelry Design

Modern jewelry lovers often have a strong sense of their personal styles, and may have specific visions for personally designed, unique engagement rings or pieces of fine jewelry they wish to own. We have an on-premise master bench jeweler, which is something of a rarity today. At Lustig's, it's an affordable luxury to provide custom jewelry made to order right in the store.

If you can dream it, we’ll help create it. Our unique 3D CAD technology enables our customers to be involved, real-time with one-of-a-kind design reflecting their distinctive personality. We also offer jewelry repair work performed on premises, often while you wait.

Commitment to Conflict-Free Diamonds & Gemstones

Lustig Jewelers is committed to providing the highest quality jewelry to our customers.  We also want our customers to buy with confidence knowing that we only sell conflict-free diamonds.  All our diamonds are certified through the Kimberley Process and System of Warranties.  For additional information, please visit Diamondfacts.org.