History

Nearly 50 years ago, Bernard Kirckof opened Rochester Lapidary Supply Company in Rochester, MN, and built a thriving business serving amateur and professional rock and gem cutters. You can still see our roots today in our Rochester store and design center, where dozens of large and spectacular rock crystal formations and geodes are displayed.

Kirckof’s son, Don, one of six children, started managing the family business soon after high school and acquired the store from Bernard in 1997. Don spent his youth working in the store and developed a passionate interest in gems and diamonds. So much so that he acquired the nickname, “Diamond Don.”

Rather than doing wholesale lapidary work and jewelry repair for other stores in the Midwest, Don decided to turn the store into a world class jewelry store that featured services that large chain stores had abandoned. In-store jewelry repair, custom made jewelry and only the finest quality would be acceptable to Don. True to his roots, Don kept “lapidary” in the store’s name.

Don Kirckof continues the traditions passed down to him by his father. These traditions have a lot to do with being an independent family-owned business that pays close attention to what customers want and provides a level of personal service that keeps customers coming back. That’s why so many Rochester Lapidary Jewelers customs are referred by other customers. It’s also why Rochester Lapidary Jewelers has customers from all around the country.

Today, Don's children, Adam and Katie, are growing up in the business just like Don, and the Rochester Lapidary Jewelers tradition lives on.