Step inside the nearly 21,000-square-foot suburban Chicago jewelry store with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff.
Chicago Jeweler Jerrold Rosenwasser Dies at 85
Rosenwasser, who ran New York Jewelers alongside his family, is remembered as a larger-than-life figure with a big heart.
Chicago—Jerrold Samuel Rosenwasser, who ran New York Jewelers alongside his family and is remembered for his big heart, died Jan 21.
He was 85 years old.
Rosenwasser was born on Jan. 29, 1934, into a family whose history in the jewelry business stretches back to 1800s Ukraine.
Rosenwasser, who was known as Jerry, served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps before joining his uncle in the family jewelry store, New York Jewelers, in 1957.
He drove the business, eventually bringing in two of his five sons to learn the trade too, and help it continue to grow.
New York Jewelers started on State Street in Chicago and moved into the Mallers Building on Jewelers Row before relocating to its current standalone location on North Wabash Avenue.
The store’s staff has continued to grow and now numbers nearly 50.
In a statement to National Jeweler, the retailer remembered its patriarch as a larger-than-life man with “a wonderful sense of humor and an incredible heart.”
Rosenwasser loved Chicago and sports but, most of all, he loved people.
“Many people were lucky enough to have met him, shared a laugh, and received heartfelt advice,” New York Jewelers said.
“He was loved my many and will be greatly missed by all.”
Rosenwasser is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jacqueline Rosenwasser (née Hyman); one sister, Rosalie (Stuart) Edelstein; five sons, Joel (Sally) Rosenwasser, Sam Rosenwasser, Fred (Minna) Rosenwasser, James (Terri) Rosenwasser and David (Miri) Rosenwasser; 18 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Services took place last month at Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah in Wilmette, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah or the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign, 2939 W. Touhy Ave., Chicago IL 60645.
The Latest
These punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.
The company brings its nanotechnology to two new fancy cuts for diamonds that feature its signature color and brilliance.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Sponsored by Tasha R
Three Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.
A federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.
The new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.
The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
The four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
The event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
A collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.
The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
Hampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
The group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
The collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
This year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
Senior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
The latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
No. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.