Business & Tech

Bourdage Pearls Boutique a Local Gem: Business Spotlight

Business owners on the North Side tell Patch how their businesses came about and what makes them unique in town.

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Editor's note: Business Spotlight is a regular column featuring information provided by local businesses. If you're a local business, share your information in this form. We also write features about local businesses. To send your ideas, email editor Michael Sewall at michael.sewall@patch.com. Businesses can also blog on Patch or share events in our calendar.

Business: Bourdage Pearls, 4039A N. Ravenswood in North Center

Owner: Sherri Bourdage

Founded: 1998

Find out what's happening in North Center-Roscoe Villagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Learn more about Bourdage Pearls on its website. 

How did the business come to be?

Find out what's happening in North Center-Roscoe Villagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

During a business trip to Hong Kong in 1996 I found that the Chinese had just developed a new generation of pearls that now made them affordable to every woman. 

They were also producing them in exciting colors and shapes. Being that pearls were used as money before there was money and that they are an Eco-Chic gem I saw a big potential to start the "Woman's Tie" for my colleagues back in Corporate America.  

Why did you choose the area? 

We were on Southport for 10 years but quickly outgrew the location, and the Cubs traffic was causing an inconvenience for our customers. We are now in a very spacious location which allows more room for creativity and easy parking after 5 and on weekends

What does your business offer?

We offer ready made and custom made pearl jewelry in a full range of prices and styles. We offer design consultation for a bride so she can incorporate more love (symbol of the pearl) into her wedding. We also offer pearl stringing classes and pearl repair services.

What's your most popular product or service?

We love to custom design pieces for wedding anniversary gifts where we add a pearl for every year of the marriage. The pearl is the traditional wedding anniversary gift for 30th wedding anniversary and modern gift for 3rd and 12th.

What's something interesting about your business your customers might not know?

We design and make our own pieces. Also, since pearls are the only gem made by an animal, they require clean water to survive. By wearing pearls. you are supporting clean water! Also, the ancient Greeks had all the guests wear pearls to weddings as they were thought to transmute more love to the couple.

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