Renowned local jeweler was dedicated to new children’s hospital
A Schaumburg jeweler who was among the first in the area to use cutting-edge technology in measuring the value of diamonds for his customers has died.Jeffrey Milstein, founder of Wyatt Austin Jewelers, died Aug. 3 after an 18-month battle with brain cancer. He was 55.
#147;He was very involved in the Schaumburg business community,#148; said Laura Goldberg, member services coordinator for the Schaumburg Business Association. #147;He was a member of our organization from the beginning and really helped with its growth.#148;
Milstein grew up in Skokie, but when he and his wife, Candice, married in 1979, they moved to Schaumburg and within five years opened their jewelry store, naming it after their first child.
From the start, Milstein merged his professional gemology training with his knack for computers and technology in advancing his business.
Milstein was an early proponent of the GemEx BrillianceScope, whose imaging could measure a diamond#146;s brilliance, color and sparkle. Milstein had the analyzer in his showroom, allowing customers to look into it to see the light performance of their diamond.
#147;He actually helped to draw up the initial rating system for diamonds,#148; said Candice, also his business partner.
More recently, he incorporated design software that allowed customers to see a virtual 3-D image of their jewelry piece on a screen, before getting a detailed color preview image of it.
#147;The jewelry industry is notoriously slow to change, but Jeff embraced it and especially incorporating technology,#148; his wife added. #147;He was one of the first in the area to use computer aided design software for his jewelry designs.
#147;He just always was the guy who stepped up and used technology,#148; she said. #147;It was hard, and he spent hours preparing for it. But he enjoyed bringing the latest advancements to customers.#148;
Outside his showroom, Milstein was an active member and past president of the Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates Rotary Club. Most recently, he led the club in pledging to raise $250,000 for the new St. Alexius Children#146;s Hospital in Hoffman Estates.#147;He really championed that cause,#148; said Julie Clark, Rotary Club president, #147;and got all of our membership behind it.#148;Besides his wife, Milstein is survived by his sons Wyatt and Max and daughter-in-law Chloe.A memorial service will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Schaumburg Golf Club, 401 N. Roselle Road.