Ellie Thompson + Co.

My fiancé and I went to Ellie to have her create our engagement ring (photo in the Unilocal gallery above of a round diamond in cushion halo setting). We had been to a few places already near jewelers row, and at that point we thought we knew quite a lot about choosing a diamond, setting options, etc. Were we wrong! Ellie spent more than an hour with us comparing stones, talking to us about options, and she showed us a piece she had created for a client using a round diamond in a setting that we thought was only for cushion cut diamonds. We ended up going with that look, and picked up the most gorgeous, perfect ring from her yesterday! She worked with us throughout the design process — emailing photos and making sure we were on the same page.
We had also brought in a wedding band that was ½ size too small from my grandmother. We thought we would not be able to use it as a wedding band because we had been told that rings with diamonds all the way around cannot be re-​sized, but she was able to take off just a small amount of the platinum on the inside of the ring to make it fit free-​of-​charge (and, it is so shiny now it looks brand new). She designed the engagement ring to fit perfectly with the wedding band, and we could not be happier.
We highly recommend Ellie for custom pieces, and the jewelry she designs and sells is absolutely gorgeous too!

My job ended up putting me in contact with Ellie, but since then I have gotten to be good friends with her and have bought jewelery from her.
Not knowing much about jewelery I asked Ellie if she knew of anything I could get my father (big outdoors guy, like me) for father’s day. She came back to me with a custom designer pair of cuff links that I knew my dad would love. She had them cast in silver for me and got them ready in time for father’s day. I am not sure if I am going to be buying any more jewelery soon, but when I do I am def. going back to her.
PS — If you can, go to her site and join her mailing list. She does these private invite shows where she sells her custom pieces at a big discount.
PPS — Her gallery overlooks Millennium park and she has an awesome view.

Great stuff, friendly service.
Clueless and looking for an engagement ring, I was referred to Ellie by a colleague about 5 years ago. She was patient, helpful, instructive and very pleasant to deal with. Ellie designed and made my wife’s engagement ring and both of our wedding bands. Would definitely recommend her.

Ellie is by far one of the best designers out there. When i decided to ask my special lady friend Stephanie to upgrade to extra special lady friend AKA. Wife I went to Ellie.
Ellie spent time with me one on one and helped me come up with a one of a kind item that i knew Stephanie would love… see photos for final product. (FYI Stephanie LOVES Sapphires and unlike most dislikes diamonds)
We met on the Metra so i wanted my wedding ring design to reflect that moment so Ellie came up with a design that looks like tracks going around the ring. It turned out awesome.
After the wedding Stephanie has been back to Ellie to have other items customized and brought back from the dark side of her jewelry box to be worn again.