CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — Champaign Jewelers is preparing for a series of spring events, including a Vintage & Estate Jewelry Sale and an upcoming diamond-buying trip to Antwerp, where customers can secure hand-selected diamonds for custom pieces.
Kari Smith, owner of Champaign Jewelers, said the store is excited about the upcoming events and recent custom design work. “We’re having so much fun at Champaign Jewelers right now. We’ve been creating some really special custom designs, and we have some exciting events and a few fun surprises coming up in the next month,” Kari said.
One of the upcoming events is the store’s Vintage & Estate Jewelry Sale, scheduled for April 9 through April 11.
“The event is April 9th through the 11th,” Kari said. “You can book appointments through our website at champaignjewelers.com, call the store, or reach out to us on social media.”
Appointments are recommended for the Vintage & Estate Jewelry Sale, though walk-ins will be accepted if space allows. Customers who schedule appointments will also receive raffle entries for prizes.
“We don’t normally carry estate jewelry,” Kari said. “Most of the jewelry in our store is custom designs or new pieces from vendors. But estate jewelry has such unique designs — things you just don’t see anymore. Some pieces are even 100 years old and still in beautiful condition.”
The estate jewelry expert attending the event knows the history behind many of the pieces, adding an additional layer of interest for shoppers.
“The owner of the estate company we work with does the majority of the buying,” Kari said. “She knows the stories behind many of the pieces — where they came from and the collectors who originally owned them.”
Kari noted that each estate event brings a completely different collection. “All of the items are one-of-a-kind, and every event features a new selection,” she said.
In addition to the vintage event, Champaign Jewelers is preparing for Kari’s upcoming trip to Antwerp, Belgium, the world’s leading diamond trading center. The trip allows the store to hand-select diamonds for clients interested in custom designs.
“One of the things I love most about traveling to Antwerp twice a year is getting to hand-select diamonds for our clients,” Kari said. “If you have a custom design or a dream piece in mind, this is the perfect time to let me know.”
During the trip, Kari meets with multiple diamond dealers and sorts through an incredible selection of stones. “They always have the classics — rounds, emerald cuts, and ovals — but there are also some really unique and funky shapes mixed in,” she said.
Antwerp has long been a major hub for the global diamond trade. “It is the diamond capital of Europe. For over 400 years, that has been the place where about 90% of the diamonds in the world pass through at some point,” Kari said.
To celebrate the upcoming trip, Champaign Jewelers is offering a special promotion for customers interested in an Antwerp diamond. “For this spring, we’re offering $500 off the mounting for any Antwerp diamond purchased during this trip,” Kari said.
Customers who would like Kari to hand-select a diamond for them during the Antwerp visit are encouraged to contact the store before she departs on April 10.