Lester Lampert
Lester Lampert is a fourth-generation fine jewelry store.
David Lampert arrived in the US from Russia in 1904. He was a bench jeweler, an artisan who uses a combination of jewelry-making skills to make and repair jewelry, and started a jewelry manufacturing business in 1920. Over the decades, and through different store names and spaces, Lampert's sons and grandsons got involved and became jewelry designers themselves.
In 1978, Lester Lampert (David’s grandson) opened the namesake store on the famed Michigan Avenue. Now, Lester and his son, David, (yes, named after the original David Lampert), run the family’s store together in a renovated brownstone in Chicago’s River North Neighborhood.
Everything on Premises
A Leopard Named Luther
David’s Trend Report
With over 100 years of expertise and passion, Lester Lampert has remained true to its roots as a full-production shop: all their manufacturing is done on premises—from engagement rings to their own collections to custom pieces. The stately store offers production tours as well as involvement in the creation process for the ultimate jewelry-making experience.
The name “Lampert” or “Lempert” means ‘leopard’ in Hebrew, and an inspired Lester bought a pet leopard circa the 1980s. Luther, the leopard, was sometimes in their Oak Street store—eating chunks of meat and stinking up the place—and inspired their logo and Eye of the Leopard™ Collection.
“We're seeing a shift from the crazy ‘80s and ‘90s when things were extravagant and artsy—jewelry has become more tailored and classic. We're shifting toward custom creative pieces. I strongly believe in natural diamonds and gemstones—they're not going anywhere. It's going to be interesting to watch how the value of natural stones progress and increase as they get rarer and harder to source.”
LESTER LAMPERT’S COLLECTIONS
In addition to their own collections, Lester Lampert has a curated collection of designer jewelry.
Brands and designers include: Alberto Prandoni by Italian Design Jewelry, Crivelli Design Italy, Garavelli, New Italian Art, Penny Preville, Picchiotti, and Vaid Roma (cuff bracelet at left). They also carry watches by Carl F. Bucherer and Corum, and Forevermark diamonds.
When the Field Museum of Chicago updated their Grainger Hall of Gems, they commissioned Lester Lampert to create 29 pieces with their gems.
They set up an empty display in the room where anyone could request to put a special gem inside. It's not surprising that many proposals happened after going into the gem room for a look at the surprise case with a Lester Lampert engagement ring inside.
7 East Huron Street
“We have a four story building and a full production shop. We still consider ourselves very much a family jeweler, and love to meet with people one-on-one and custom create pieces for them.”
-David Lampert
Coming Soon
Jason’s Interview with David of Lester Lampert
SOCIAL STYLE
LESTER LAMPERT GIVES BACK
“We have a policy that if a client asks us to help them with one of their charity organizations, we give.”
-David Lampert
The Lamperts
