Sturhahn Jewelers, Inc.

For over 105 years, Sturhahn Jewelers has been one of the most trusted names in jewelry in the Quincy region. 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

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

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.

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.

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.