A Family Business That Became an Employee-Owned One
What began in 1980 with $700 and one small shop in Menomonee Falls is now nine locations across Wisconsin and Michigan, and North America’s first 100% employee-owned jeweler. The promise hasn’t changed: relationships built on trust, honored commitments, and doing the right thing.
The Early Years
It started with one man, one small shop, and a simple idea: treat every customer the way you’d want to be treated. In our first two decades, we grew from a single store in Menomonee Falls to locations across Wisconsin. We introduced customer-first promises like bottom-line pricing and a lifetime warranty, and began a tradition of giving back.
1980
Kesslers Diamond Center was founded on January 15th, 1980, by Richard Kessler. Starting with just $700 in his pocket, Richard relocated from Michigan to Menomonee Falls, WI, where he opened “C.R. Gems, Ltd.” Over the years, the business evolved through several names and locations, ultimately becoming the employee-owned Kesslers Diamond Center, we know today.
1991
By 1991, Kesslers introduced industry-leading initiatives, such as bottom-line pricing, a unique lifetime warranty, and a diamond trade-in policy to enhance the customer experience.
1995
In 1995, Richard's iconic slogan, “I’m Richard Kessler, and I want to be your jeweler!” aired across Milwaukee, helping fuel the opening of a second store in Greenfield, WI.
1996
The Menomonee Falls location moved into its own building in 1996, and by 1997, Kesslers started giving back with gold-plated roses, raising over $250,000 for breast cancer research.
1999
In 1999, the company shifted focus exclusively to bridal jewelry, offering the largest selection of loose diamonds and engagement rings in Wisconsin.
2000
In 2000, Kesslers expanded beyond Southeast Wisconsin, opening locations in Glendale and Appleton.
2001
Our company culture further grew in 2001 with the introduction of the Kesslers Covey Study Session, integrating Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits” into our work philosophy. Soon after the Glendale location was closed and moved to Brookfield, WI.
2003
In 2003, we introduced the Survivor pendant to benefit ABCD, donating over $100,000 to support breast cancer survivors.
1980
Kesslers Diamond Center was founded on January 15th, 1980, by Richard Kessler. Starting with just $700 in his pocket, Richard relocated from Michigan to Menomonee Falls, WI, where he opened “C.R. Gems, Ltd.” Over the years, the business evolved through several names and locations, ultimately becoming the employee-owned Kesslers Diamond Center, we know today.
1991
By 1991, Kesslers introduced industry-leading initiatives, such as bottom-line pricing, a unique lifetime warranty, and a diamond trade-in policy to enhance the customer experience.
1995
In 1995, Richard's iconic slogan, “I’m Richard Kessler, and I want to be your jeweler!” aired across Milwaukee, helping fuel the opening of a second store in Greenfield, WI.
1996
The Menomonee Falls location moved into its own building in 1996, and by 1997, Kesslers started giving back with gold-plated roses, raising over $250,000 for breast cancer research.
1999
In 1999, the company shifted focus exclusively to bridal jewelry, offering the largest selection of loose diamonds and engagement rings in Wisconsin.
2000
In 2000, Kesslers expanded beyond Southeast Wisconsin, opening locations in Glendale and Appleton.
2001
Our company culture further grew in 2001 with the introduction of the Kesslers Covey Study Session, integrating Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits” into our work philosophy. Soon after the Glendale location was closed and moved to Brookfield, WI.
2003
In 2003, we introduced the Survivor pendant to benefit ABCD, donating over $100,000 to support breast cancer survivors.
Growing Together
As Kesslers grew, so did our commitment to doing things differently. We brought goldsmithing in-house and created our own signature diamonds. We also handed ownership to the people who make it all happen. Today, as North America’s first 100% employee-owned jeweler, we serve communities across Wisconsin and Michigan with the same promise we started with.
2005
We focused exclusively on diamonds in 2005 and introduced our signature Kessler 81 diamond, adding more facets for added sparkle.
2006
In 2006, we acquired Mark Parkinson Co., bringing our goldsmith work in-house to serve clients better.
2009
In 2009, we relocated to a larger Germantown location, providing ample space for our store, operations, and goldsmith shop.
2011
In 2011, Kesslers became an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company, selling 49% of the business to its employees. By 2017, we proudly became the first 100% employee-owned jewelry retailer in North America. The same year, Joe Gehrke took on the role of President.
2013
We introduced the Time and Eternity pendant in 2013, donating $5 from every sale to Make-A-Wish, granting over 46 wishes to children in need.
2015
Over the next few years, Kesslers continued to innovate, launching the Kessler Lightning Bolt diamond and introducing lab-grown diamonds in 2015. We also expanded to Michigan with a new location in Grandville.
2020
In 2020, Kesslers celebrated 40 years in business, cementing our position as a leading jewelry retailer with a reputation for quality, innovation, and customer service. and later in 2021 opened our second Michigan store in Grand Rapids.
2024
In 2024, Kesslers was named the Wisconsin Employee-Owned Company of the Year, a testament to our dedication to our employee-owners and their commitment to delivering exceptional service.
We also relocated our Appleton store to a stunning new location just down the road. Kesslers was honored once again as a Top Workplace in Wisconsin and recognized as the Best Jeweler by Wisconsin Bride magazine for 2024. We were proud to celebrate a major milestone as long-time sponsors of Make-A-Wish Wisconsin by being part of their 8,000th wish.
Later in the fall of 2024, we opened our 9th location in Kenosha, WI, expanding our reach and bringing our signature customer experience to even more communities.
2005
We focused exclusively on diamonds in 2005 and introduced our signature Kessler 81 diamond, adding more facets for added sparkle.
2006
In 2006, we acquired Mark Parkinson Co., bringing our goldsmith work in-house to serve clients better.
2009
In 2009, we relocated to a larger Germantown location, providing ample space for our store, operations, and goldsmith shop.
2011
In 2011, Kesslers became an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company, selling 49% of the business to its employees. By 2017, we proudly became the first 100% employee-owned jewelry retailer in North America. The same year, Joe Gehrke took on the role of President.
2013
We introduced the Time and Eternity pendant in 2013, donating $5 from every sale to Make-A-Wish, granting over 46 wishes to children in need.
2015
Over the next few years, Kesslers continued to innovate, launching the Kessler Lightning Bolt diamond and introducing lab-grown diamonds in 2015. We also expanded to Michigan with a new location in Grandville.
2020
In 2020, Kesslers celebrated 40 years in business, cementing our position as a leading jewelry retailer with a reputation for quality, innovation, and customer service. and later in 2021 opened our second Michigan store in Grand Rapids.
2024
In 2024, Kesslers was named the Wisconsin Employee-Owned Company of the Year, a testament to our dedication to our employee-owners and their commitment to delivering exceptional service.
We also relocated our Appleton store to a stunning new location just down the road. Kesslers was honored once again as a Top Workplace in Wisconsin and recognized as the Best Jeweler by Wisconsin Bride magazine for 2024. We were proud to celebrate a major milestone as long-time sponsors of Make-A-Wish Wisconsin by being part of their 8,000th wish.
Later in the fall of 2024, we opened our 9th location in Kenosha, WI, expanding our reach and bringing our signature customer experience to even more communities.
