The Burdeens
Our mission is to provide the most discriminating client the luxury of
a high quality jewelry selection with fair pricing, and unequivocal service.
My parents began this business in 1980 with meager resources, but a rich dream. They appreciated all of the finer things life had to offer, and had a grand vision of success. In 1980 they began creating pins and necklaces, working from their suburban home, while my brother and I played in the next room. My father would work at night, apprenticing under the finest European artisans in Chicago, refining his skills. My parents worked the art show circuit and were picked up by Nieman Marcus in 1982.
An account of that stature had put Burdeen’s n the map, but something was missing. My parents missed the interaction they so much enjoyed from their participation in the art show circuit. There is nothing more rewarding then watching your customer’s reaction as they pick up a piece you have created for them, or hearing a romantic tale of an heirloom piece you have restored or recreated. There was simply a coldness to wholesale business, and immediately it was realized that what was truly rewarding was selling directly to the client.
In 1983 my parents opened our first store in Buffalo Grove Illinois, a humble 600 square foot location in a quickly rising affluent community. My parents soon realized that education would be the key to their success; my father obtained his Graduate Gemology degree, and my mother, her diamond degree from GIA. Having no formal business training, my parents relied on their instincts. They treated clients how they would like to be treated; they offered their best price forward, without haggling. This simple but elegant concept is what has propelled us into a leading jeweler today.
In 1995 after returning from The University of Illinois in Champaign, I earned my Graduate Gemology degree, while working with my parents. Since my advent I have made it my priority to refine all of the elements my parents have put forth. Customer service is, as it always has been, paramount, and with it, all other things follow. We take immense pride in our store and our merchandise; there is not a single piece of merchandise in our store that we don’t love. This concept makes for ‘honest’ selling and ‘honest’ selling is always uncomplicated. That’s why none of our sales people are ever on commission. Our goal is to make clients, not sales. We accomplish this by offering the most remarkable jewelry, at the most reasonable prices.
In 1998 after returning from the Gemological Institute of America with his Graduate Jeweler, design, and diamond degree, my brother Jason joined us. Jason now runs our on site design and manufacturing studio, and supervises the other craftsman that we employ. Jason is also our watch specialist overseeing the brands that we carry. Jason travels frequently, keeping abreast of all the latest Global fashion trends. He has recently been trained in Switzerland by Breitling, and has become one of the few Breitling certified specialists in the U.S.
Since my brother and I came on board, our parents have allowed us take leadership positions in the business. Not only has this been beneficial for them, but for us as well. They now spend about a third of the year at their ranch in Carefree Arizona. It has allowed both Jason and I the opportunity to bring our family’s business to the proverbial ‘next level’. We treat this responsibility with great respect, as we continue to build our family’s legacy.
In order to make sure we have kept the ‘warmth’ of a family business that our customers have become accustomed to, we will take your credit card over the phone but not over the Internet. We implore you to enjoy the beautiful pieces we have put online, and then create a wish list. A member of our staff will be in contact with you within 24 hours, or feel free to call us and discuss your purchase. We never want to limit your ability to receive full service; even online we will remain your local family jeweler.
Wishing you health and success,
The Burdeens
Matthew, Jason, Sandy, Dennis, and Staff