Dariusz Jewelers in Downers Grove marks 25 years in the community

They've been providing sparkle and glamour for decades.

Dariusz (Darek) Korpikiewicz, owner, and Bill Vanoskey, manager, are gearing up for their busy holiday season. As one of the long-established businesses in the community, they are also anticipating their upcoming 25th anniversary of operating as Dariusz Jewelers in Downers Grove.

The shop offers custom-made, one-of-a-kind jewelry as well as a spectacular curated collection of designer jewelry, diamonds, and more.

Darek, who is a certified goldsmith, studied art in Poland. "I have always been interested in working with my hands and creating beautiful things, anything with metal," he said.

In 1988, he moved to Downers Grove after having met Elizabeth, who became his wife.

Bill, whose background was in hospitality, started working in jewelry almost 37 years ago. The two first teamed up 27 years ago when they both were working at Matthew Erickson Jewelry on Main Street in Downers Grove.

When the owner, Sid Fey, retired almost 25 years ago, Darek bought the business and changed the name to Dariusz Jewelers. The shop moved to its present location across the street from the original store 22 years ago.

The small, independently owned business is able to offer great variety, customization, and service and has, consequently, earned a faithful following.

Darek estimates that 35%-40% of their business is custom work, either designing pieces from scratch or repurposing existing items. "People tend to like jewelry that's individual and unique, not mass-produced," he said. "Every piece is different and made especially for the individual. That's the beauty of custom work," said Darek, adding that they accommodate any budget.

"This is especially true with heirloom jewelry that someone will want reset or changed more to their tastes," Bill said.

In selecting their in-store inventory, they focus on choosing distinctive items. "We hand-pick items from all our vendors. Everything is per our specifications. We don't buy 50 of the same item; we select each piece and inspect it for the quality," Bill said.

In addition to jewelry design and sales, Dariusz also provides related services, including cleaning, repairing, and adjusting, oftentimes as clients wait.

Dariusz Jewelers provides a faithful following that extends beyond the Downers Grove area. "There are customers we've had for years who have moved away but still work with us. We have clients in California, Florida, and Colorado," Darek said.

Having been in business for so long, they also find themselves working with multiple generations of families. This week, for instance, the adult son of a long-time client is coming from out of town to pick up the engagement ring he had designed by Darek.

As the busy holiday season kicks into gear, Dariusz Jewelers is appreciative of people who support local businesses.

Dariusz Jewelers is located at 5121 Main St. in Downers Grove. For more information, call (630) 969-4332 or visit www.DariuszJewelers.com.