House of Kahn 900 N. Michigan Comes Full Circle! December 19, 2016 – Posted in: Press – Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Tobina Kahn, president of the House of Kahn Estate Jewelers, which recently moved back into the building where it all started for the jewelers more than a half-century ago at 900 N. Michigan Ave.

House of Kahn has new home, comes full circle
By: Felicia Dechter

Originally published in Skyline Newspaper on December 14th, 2016

We all know the importance of the family jewels… jewelry that has been handed down from generation to generation. I cherish mine, I have a few of my maternal grandmother’s baubles, and I already passed down my paternal grandmother’s diamond and platinum wedding ring to my oldest daughter on her 30th birthday.

Many people that have inherited jewels may not be knowledgeable about them and they choose to melt items that are more valuable than their weight in gold, says Tobina Kahn, president of the House of Kahn Estate Jewelers, which has a store here and also in Palm Beach, Florida.

“Many people come in with authentic hallmarks, with advice from other jewelers to melt it,” said Kahn, who lives on the Gold Coast when in town. “I reeducate these people to the true value of their family inheritance. Most customers are unsure about these variations and we personally assist them in the explanation of their pieces and what the market currently bears for such a jewel and how high demand may be.

“It is our job to find the proper valuation on these jewels and bring the most accurate price to these family heirlooms,” said Kahn. “There are no charges for any appointment… these are courtesies of House of Kahn Estate Jewelers.”

It was the 1950s when Kahn’s parents first opened shop in Chicago at 900 N. Michigan Ave. After later relocating to Walton St. on the Gold Coast for many years, the family jewels have now come full circle as the Kahns recently moved back to that Mag Mile location once again.

Their store offers a large variety of gorgeous necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings, including engagement rings. And for the guy who wants to impress his honey for life, there’s a fancy oval yellow diamond ring with a 3.95 carat oval light yellow diamond plus 2.95 carats of round pink sapphires and .85 carats of intense yellow diamonds, all set in 18 karat yellow rose gold, “truly a dazzling jewel for the holiday season,” said Kahn.

All I know is, I’d love to have a peek inside Kahn’s jewelry box! I wasn’t able to get that, however, I did get a glimpse inside her life as president of a long-standing Chicago business.

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A dazzling jewel for the holiday season is House of Kahn’s rare and gorgeous oval-shaped yellow diamond weighing 3.95 carats accompanied with 2.95 carats of pink sapphires and .85 carats of intense fancy yellow diamonds, all mounted in a rose gold setting.

Q: Tell me a little bit about your family history with House of Kahn. Who started it, where, when, and why jewels?

A: House of Kahn Estate Jewelers was established in the 1950s by my parents, Edward and Adele Kahn. My father, who is a Holocaust survivor, established House of Kahn Estate Jewelers because he acquired knowledge of the jewelry business from his parents, dating back to his great grandparents in Europe. As a Holocaust survivor, he understood then that jewelers were a portable and salvageable commodity, transportable out of the country. He emigrated to the United States and established the business in Chicago.

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Q: What sort of jewelry and artifacts do you sell?

A: [We] buy and sell estate jewels, fine artwork, and collectibles. Many people may not be in a position to sell their jewels at an auction house. Auction houses only sell a handful of times a year, and, even if an item does sell, it takes 60 to 90 days to receive payment. Many people are not in a position to wait that long. House of Kahn Estate Jewelers, however, will pay at the conclusion of the transaction.

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Q: What are some of the most unique pieces you’ve ever acquired?

A: We have had various important estates through our doors. Notably, we have had a very rare Blue Diamond and a large collection of jeweled tiaras. Additionally, we have had celebrity estate jewelry from Raymond Burr, Howard Hughes, Joan Crawford, Ginger Rogers, and memorabilia from Ronald Reagan, just to name a few.

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Q: How do you find your items?

A: As third generation jewelers, people appreciate the individual time and treatment that is given with every client. Many people do not know exactly what they have in their collection but we offer our honest opinion on every single item. Entire collections are often brought to us and, as a certified gemologist, I am able to separate everything that is ideal for selling or kept for sentimental value. Over the years, I’ve seen hundreds of thousands of different jewels and I am able to provide expertise unlike anyone else in Chicago and Palm Beach. Many clients refer us to their contacts, resulting in a large referral base.

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Q: Are there affordable pieces for everyone at your store or are you more high-end?

A: We have a wide selection, including estate vintage jewelry and collectibles starting at $50. The genuine jewels range from $500 and up to over $1 million. In the estate jewelry business, there is something for everyone. My motto is: When purchasing estate jewelers, give a gift from the past that will have a future.

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European Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring accompanied by 3.50 carats of Diamonds.

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