Trabert & Hoeffer Jewels

I am a new resident in Chicago and needed to find a jewelry store that offered jewelry repair; Trabert and Hoeffer’s website indicates they provide «fine jewelry repair». I took in a necklace with a very fine platinum chain that had a tangle — I explained the necklace was a gift from my father, very delicate (an heirloom piece dating to 1915) and that I needed the knot removed. The woman who was helping me proceeded to take a paperclip out of the desk drawer and unbent it —she stated the paperclip was clearly too big to work. She told me she needed to take it into the back to use proper tools. When she returned she said she couldn’t fix it because the chain was too fine and that I needed to go somewhere where there was «a jeweler.» I stated I thought they were «a jeweler” — apparently not. She recommended that I go down the street to another jeweler, Lester Lampert.
Lester Lampert used the professional tools to remove the knot without damaging my necklace and Elena who provided superb service was a certified jeweler/​gemologist. I would minimally expect that Trabert and Hoeffer instruct their sales staff that if they are not qualified to repair fine jewelry that they inform the customer up front.

I bought a diamond ring at Trabert and Hoeffer and after a few months the diamonds fell out and the platinum band warped. I was very disappointed and to make matters worse the owner Don Levinson was rude and would not stand by his work! I will never shop at Trabert and Hoeffer and am telling everyone I know how bad there craftsmanship is. I never in my wildest dreams would I think a $ 15,000 ring would be so poorly made and to make matters worse Don Levinson would not back up his work. He wanted to charge me another $ 15,0000 for a new setting when I did not even have this one for an entire year. I didn’t even wear the ring every day. STAY AWAY FROM THIS ESTABLISHMENT! They are a nightmare to work with, are rude and their craftsmanship is very poor. Not what you expect from an Oak Street jewelry store.

The service is 5 star, but you are going to pay for it, as well as their high $ rent. If you are looking for the right price, look elsewhere. If money ain’t a thang, I can’t argue with T&H.

I just purchased a custom engagement ring from Trabert & Hoeffer. I cannot recommend them enough! I shopped extensively in Chicago including most of jewelers row. Trabert was far and away the most friendly and accommodating store and staff. I worked with Katie Hammond and their in house designer and they helped me create exactly what i was looking for. They created computer renderings in CAD based on my drawings. The store front can be a bit intimidating but give them a try. I would recommend shopping around online and around town to find the style you are looking for, but be sure to visit Trabert before you make any decisions!
As far as pricing, they are fair and honest. They give one price (vs jewelers row where its like bargaining with street venders), if that price doesnt work they will find a similar stone that will work. They have a wonderful attitude and are willing to help you work within your budget. It is well worth a few extra bucks for a place that you can be proud of, and would want take your wife (or future wife) too.
Phenomenal!

Trabert & Hoeffer is Chicago’s best store for fine jewelry and watches, period. Although I am partial to a fine jewelry sales associate at another location, I really wish she worked here, because Don Levinson (the owner) is the best! And from the moment you are buzzed in the door at Trabert, you are treated like royalty! Truly a wonderful experience, and all at an exceptional value. Trabert really takes care of you, the client!

I stopped in this store after it was recommended to me by my sister and mother, who together over the years have purchased an engagement ring and a number of watches from Trabert. They had said they had received great service and competitive prices for what they had bought, so I thought, why not try them out before paying extra for a national name brand like Tiffany or Graff. Unfortunately, from the moment I walked in to Trabert & Hoeffer I was greeted with somewhat incredulous looks by the sales staff. I’m not sure if they were collectively having a bad day or perhaps, if it was because I wasn’t dressed as if I could afford anything in the store (I am a server in a local restaurant and stopped in after my lunch shift at work.) After briefly browsing the store for a good 5 minutes — with not a salesperson interested in assisting me or asking if I needed help — I walked out. Ended up choosing a great engagement ring at Tiffany’s down Michigan ave. instead. I guess I didn’t fit Trabert’s profile of what a lucrative customer would look like.

A few weeks ago, I received a gorgeous ring from my fiancée. He worked with Trabert and Hoeffer to get a very unique and contemporary setting (they were the only jeweler in the city who carried one of my favorite designers, Michael Bondanza) and a diamond that matched the style of the setting. I couldn’t be happier (with both the fiancée and the ring)!