Est. 1973
Our Story
Five decades of craftsmanship, trust, and timeless beauty in the heart of Evanston.
A Cottage on
Dempster Street
It was 1973, and Ira Rose was returning from travels through India and the Near East, carrying with him a collection of exotic jewelry and treasures gathered along the way. He found a quaint former Pure Oil station on Dempster Street that literally resembled a cottage, set up four card tables draped with army blankets, and opened the doors to what he called “Cottage Jewelry and Stuff” — offering turquoise, heishi beads, gemstones, and one-of-a-kind finds from his travels to the Evanston community.
From those humble beginnings on Dempster Street, what started as a curio of global artistry evolved into the fine jewelry destination you see today. Yet the spirit remains the same: personal attention, lasting relationships, and a belief that beautiful jewelry should come with over-the-top service.
Read Ira's Story
Built on Trust, Driven by Craft
Craftsmanship
Every piece that leaves our workshop carries over five decades of expertise. Our master jewelers combine time-honored techniques with modern precision.
Personal Service
We believe in relationships, not transactions. From your first visit, you'll experience the kind of personal attention that has kept families returning for generations.
Community
For over fifty years, we've been proud to call Evanston home. We're not just a jewelry store — we're a trusted neighbor, celebrating life's milestones alongside our community.
Milestones Along the Way
1973
Cottage Jewelry opens its doors on Dempster Street in Evanston — in a former Pure Oil station that resembled a cottage — beginning a legacy of personal service and one-of-a-kind finds.
1980
When gold soars to $850 an ounce, Evanston residents line up with jewelry cases and family heirlooms. Cottage Jewelry begins buying gold and precious metals from the public — a tradition of trust that continues more than four decades later.
1985
Cottage Jewelry begins creating custom designs, adding a new dimension to the business that would become one of its signature offerings.
1995
Inspired by Princess Diana’s iconic style, demand for pearls soars worldwide. Ira begins traveling to Japan to buy directly from pearl manufacturers, expanding the collection to meet the moment.
2024
The City of Evanston honors Cottage Jewelry as an official Legacy Business — one of 39 chosen for their contribution to the city’s historic, cultural, and economic identity.
Today
Cottage Jewelry launches its new website — built for another fifty years of craftsmanship, community, and service.
Begin Your Journey
Visit our Evanston studio and experience the personal attention that has made us this community’s jeweler for over fifty years.
