Our Story
About
G.V. Jewelry
Fine jewelry made with you in mind since 1987.
G.V. Jewelry was founded in 1987 by the store’s namesake, Gerardo Velasquez. What started as a “mom-and-pop shop” became a thriving Chicago small business, still proudly family and minority-owned to this day.
As part of Chicago’s inclusive and diverse Bowmanville/Andersonville neighborhood, G.V. Jewelry is proud to serve customers from all backgrounds. We prioritize personal attention and a sincere, friendly and collaborative approach from expert jewelers with passion for the craft.
Almost all work is done in-house — from initial concept and design, to choosing gemstones, to production and service, by our experienced and trustworthy staff — a unique experience from many other jewelry stores.
Julio A. Velasquez,
Owner & Jeweler
If you have visited G.V. Jewelry, you have likely met Julio. Julio took over the business from his father after spending his entire life around the jewelry industry and as a jeweler at the store. He set his first diamonds at 12 years old at a hand-made bench built by his father, where his enthusiasm for the craft only grew as the years passed.
Julio designs all the custom jewelry, and has extensive experience in Computer Aided Design (CAD). He is also a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Gemologist and diamond expert. His combined experience and expertise make him a well-rounded jewelry professional, guiding you every step of the way.
Gerardo Velasquez, Founder
Gerardo Velasquez began his career as a jeweler at only 20 years old in Chicago in the early 1970s. He began with a traditional apprenticeship and specialized in diamond and gemstone setting, eager to learn everything he could. Though he enjoyed learning and becoming more skilled at his craft, Gerardo’s dream was always to own his own jewelry store.
Gerardo became a highly regarded jeweler who traveled the country to perform "jewelry shows" at various high-end retailers. At these shows, Gerardo would remount, recreate, and repair jewelry for customers while they watched. Through these experiences, he realized the tremendous value customers received by dealing directly with a jeweler. He then mastered wax carving and the lost wax casting process, which helped him fully embrace the design and production aspect of the craft.
Gerardo married his beloved wife and partner Maria del Refugio in 1976. They settled in Chicago's Bowmanville/Andersonville neighborhood and they began to raise a family. In 1987, they turned the living room of their home into a jewelry store, G.V. Jewelry, and Gerardo’s dream was finally realized. His four children each worked at store, and his youngest son, Julio, showed tremendous passion for the craft and eventually took over the business when Gerardo retired.
Gerardo sadly passed in 2019, but his legacy lives on through his family, friends, loyal customers and his store, G.V. Jewelry.
Gerardo & Maria Velasquez
The Velasquez Family