Mitchell’s Jewelers: A Legacy for Generations

Jim Mitchell, owner of Mitchell’s Jewelers, grew up in Arlington Heights, and as a young boy observed his father running their family business, then located in the Evergreen Shopping Center.

“I remember getting exciting to come to work for my dad after school. I made a buck an hour,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell’s father, Alfred, emigrated from Alexandria, Egypt where five generations before him were jewelers by trade. He was just 19 years old when he joined the United States Army, and ultimately became a U.S. citizen.

When he got out of the army, he married and began working at Simon Brothers and was trained in watch repair, and then went on to work for CD Peacock Jewelers.

There Alfred furthered his knowledge and expertise in jewelry design, watch repair and training other employees, while building on his early experiences observing his father who was a goldsmith, and his grandfather, a stone setter, as he grew up in Egypt.

From CD Peacock, Mitchell said his father began working in the jewelry department at Sears, and was the top salesman in the U.S. for several years.

In 1969, Alfred opened Mitchell’s Jewelers at 18 S. Evergreen.

“I started making jewelry and doing repairs when I was 11-years-old,” Mitchell said. Then, he went to Miner Junior High, and went on to attend Hersey High School.

Mitchell said he sat down with his first customer at the age of 16 and designed his first ring.

He graduated early from high school, and attended gemology school to build on what he had learned from his father, also attending stone setting courses.

The business expanded, moved to 20 S. Evergreen and ultimately ended up at the 135 year-old building at 10 N. Dunton Avenue in 1984 where it currently stands.

Today, Mitchell reflects on the valuable lessons about the jewelry business passed down from generations. 

“The standards that my dad set were to keep the quality high, treat people the way you want to be treated and never to create a high-pressure situation for sales,” Mitchell said. 

Mitchell’s Jewelers sells every type of jewelry, including diamond settings and custom designs.

“Many times we have customers who have seen a piece of jewelry, or had something they want to reproduce. I just need to talk with them to figure out what they want, and I can make it happen,” Mitchell said. “Everything is done in-house, from start to finish.”

The business also sells gifts, engagement and wedding rings, watches, and colored gems and stones. Watch and battery repair, and band change services are provided as well.

Free jewelry checks and cleanings have always been offered to our current and future customers, Mitchell said. 

“I have a true passion for this business, our niche is being able to do more than the average jeweler. We won’t say no to anything,” Mitchell said.