Martin Binder Jewelers, Inc.

Since opening our doors in 1940, three generations of the Binder family have helped Martin Binder Jeweler grow from a small watchmaking shop to a Valparaiso, Indiana destination for the finest diamonds, jewelry, Swiss-made timepieces, writing instruments, and gift-ware. We're known for our direct purchase diamonds, traveling to diamond sightholders four times a year-a buying strategy that allows Martin Binder's to beat or match diamond pricing from any retailer or other 'diamond wholesaler

You could say the jewelry business ticks in our family’s genes, and somehow, an old grandfather clock became the center of our story. In 1938 my grandfather, Martin Binder, after paying the annual tuition fee of $225, earned his degree in horological science from the Elgin National Watch Company Watchmakers College. Soon after, he began his internship in Gary, Indiana at Kuppler’s Jewelry, the store owned by his sister, Jeanne Kuppler. But fate intervened. When his sister hired pretty Mary Helfrich to help with part-time jewelry sales, the rest, they

say ‘is history’, because the watchmaker and salesgirl fell in love. Martin Binder and Mary Helfrich married in Gary and began a marriage and business partnership that spanned over thirty years, eight store expansions, more philanthropic events than grains of sand on Porter Beach, and three children—who all went on to become career jewelers in the family business.

But first, back in Gary, Martin’s reputation as a skilled watchmaker grew—so much that in 1940, Martin ventured out to open his own watchmaking shop, Binder’s, in nearby Hobart, Indiana. My grandfather then moved his store to Columbia City, Indiana before returning to his roots in Northwest Indiana in 1950. There in Valparaiso—its population buoyed by the bursting steel industry—my grandfather hung his blue and neon-lit jeweler’s sign outside the red brick Bondi building across from the downtown courthouse, making his retail home the small 300 square foot storefront on the Franklin Street side of the Lincolnway building

Relocating the business to Valparaiso was a good decision for Martin and his growing family. By then, the Binder clan included daughters Carol (my aunt), Jeanette (my mother), and infant son, Martin John (my uncle) and in Valparaiso, the town nicknamed “the Vale of Paradise” lived up to my grandfather’s expectations. Expanding beyond watch repair, my grandparents reinvested their profits into the store, and brought in many new selections of the finest finished jewelry. Binder’s Jewelry continued to grow.Soon, Binder’s was booming. In the late 1950’s, Martin Binder Jeweler expanded two spaces

finest jewelry at the most cost-effective prices, and treating our clients like friends and family—with kindness, honesty, and integrity. Thank you, Valparaiso and Northwest Indiana: It’s been a pleasure to grow with you. Sincerely, Robert J. Flude, III, Graduate Gemologist President, Martin Binder Jeweler