About Us
JEWELRY & TIMEPIECE SALES & SERVICE
We are renown for our expert jewelry, watch and clock repair services, and also offer custom design services to create new jewelry from old, outdated pieces or something completely new that you’ve dreamed up
Diamond & Engagement Ring Sales
Diamond, gemstone and bridal/anniversary jewelry sales along with optional design services to create a unique and custom ring
Fine Jewelry Sales
A wide selection of jewelry to fit all budgets for everyday wear and special occasions, and also featuring local designers from Evanston and the surrounding area
Watch and Clock Sales
A large selection of solar, kinetic, field, dress and casual watches from Seiko, Pulsar, Bertucci & Timex along with wall, desk and alarm clocks from Seiko
OUR HISTORY
Three Generations of Jewelry and Timepiece Sales and Service in Evanston
Our story begins with our grandfather, Peter, who worked as a second-generation watchmaker in his father’s jewelry store in Austria-Hungary, which became part of Yugoslavia after WWI. (Although our surname is Hungarian, meaning “flower”, our ancestors were German-speaking.)
Open for Business in 1936
In 1921, Peter and his family immigrated to Chicago where he spent 14 years working as a bench jeweler in the Jeweler's District at Madison and Wabash.
By 1936, during the Great Depression when employment was scarce, Peter made the bold decision to open his own business, first located at 910 Chicago Avenue in Evanston.
Our father, Adam, joins the business
Within a couple years in the late 1930s, Peter’s son Adam joined the business after graduating high school, along with Peter’s son-in-law Frank. The name is changed to Peter Virag and Sons Jewelers.
Adam is drafted into the Army in 1942. Utilizing his watchmaking skills, he repaired essential timepieces and rangefinding equipment. His duties also included testing soldiers' watches to make sure the timepieces were synchronized and ran properly, and he was stationed in England as the Allies prepared for the D-Day landing. He returned home in 1945.
Relocation + Third Generation
The store relocated to 703 Main Street in the early 1960s where it remains today.
Two of Adam’s 4 sons, Tony and Pete, started working full-time in the 1970s and eventually became owners after their uncle retired. The name was changed to Virag Jewelers Ltd.
Adam continued to work part-time through the 1990s and gradually retired after more than 60 years in the jewelry business.
Family Expansion & Changes
Adam’s fifth child and oldest daughter, Terri, became jewelry buyer and designer in the early 2000s. Several years later Tony departed to own and operate a jewelry store closer to his home in the south suburbs, and youngest son Joe worked at the store for many years, but left to pursue other interests in 2020.
Today, current owner Peter, along with sister Terri, Peter's wife Denise, and the friendly staff at Virag Jewelers continue the legacy of quality sales and service that their grandfather started over 80 years ago.