JEWELER BY DESIGN

As one of 10 children who was raised by two parents who “sacrificed everything for their family,” JACQUELINE JURICA grew up with a good ethic, surrounded by love. “I have been in the jewelry business since I was 15 years old—starting out in a shop learning how to do jewelry repairs and engraving,” says Jurica, owner of Jacqueline’s of Highland Park Jewelers. “I have since worked for Fortunoff’s on 5th Avenue, in the diamond district of New York, and managed a fine jewelry store at Water Tower Place.” She opened Exclusively Jacquelines in 1993 and has since owned and operated 10 locations, including Jacqueline’s of Northbrook Jewelers. “We have an on-premise shop with six full-time jewelers, and do all jewelry design and repair from start to finish here at our Highland Park location,” explains Jurica, adding that her passion is to take outdated jewelry and redesign it into something new that can be worn every day. “We also carry engagement rings in both natural and lab-grown diamonds and have a showroom with a fine designer jewelry selection of more than 7,500 items.”

Most rewarding part of what you do? Every day I am rewarded, thanked, and hugged. I love making jewelry and memories with my clients.

How should women support other women? By listening to their needs and helping them to overcome obstacles, through experience.

How do you inspire others? I hope to inspire others by maintaining integrity and by teaching hard work, customer service, and dedication.

Powerful woman you admire the most? Jewel Kadet, owner of Rogers & Hollands. Greatest risk you’ve taken as a professional? My biggest risk was opening my first location with only $1,200 in my account and living on my parents couch.

For more information, visit jacquelinesjewelers.com and follow @jacquelinesofhp on Instagram and @jacquelinesofnb/boards on Pinterest.