Our Story
“Everything that we do is intended to make someone happy.”
“Whether it’s a diamond engagement ring given to begin a life together, a gift to celebrate an anniversary or accomplishment, or something “just because” to make that favourite someone feel special … we take dreams and wishes and make them a reality.
How can it get any better than that?”
Ralph Vandenberg
47 Years of Memories
Vandenbergs has been making memories beautiful for the last 47 years
The Vandenbergs experience is truly unique in today’s high pressure, low service world. We know that making your memories beautiful begins with pleasurable and breathtaking moments throughout the creative process.
A Combined 250 Years Experience
Our team members have a combined 250 years of experience in all facets of the jewellery industry. 3 Graduate Gemologists, 4 Designers, 3 Goldsmiths and a Graphic CAD Designer all work together and you become part of the creative process and have access to the knowledge and opinions of everyone on the Vandenbergs team.
Family-owned and Operated
As a family-owned business, we’re passionate about our legacy. That’s why we offer so much more than other stores that just sell jewellery. Taking care of your diamonds, gems and precious items is included. Free cleanings and check-ups, texture refurbishing, polishing, minor repairs while you wait – these are just a few of the benefits.
We’ll take care of your purchases and care for your memories ensuring they remain as perfect as the day they were purchased.
As the owner and lead designer at Vandenbergs, Ralph is proud to carry on his father’s legacy of unparalleled expertise and quality. There is little in the diamond and gem world that Ralph has not experienced first hand, from helping introduce diamond mining into Canada to touring some of the most remote mines in Russia, South Africa, and around the world. He was invited to tour the Naica mine in Mexico, a highly sought after invitation offered to a limited number of people worldwide. Check out Ralph’s blog on our website for some crazy stories!
Ralph is passionate about gems and education and he happily passes on his knowledge and expertise to his clients. Whether sourcing the perfect diamond or painstakingly designing a family heirloom, Ralph’s commitment is to making sure his clients are happy and involved.
Ralph is passionate about gems and education and he happily passes on his knowledge and expertise to his clients. Whether sourcing the perfect diamond or painstakingly designing a family heirloom, Ralph’s commitment is to making sure his clients are happy and involved.
Lori shares her husband’s passion for the jewellery and gem business, but also brings more than 25 years of banking and financial expertise to the table. Now a key member of the Vandenbergs team, Lori’s focus is on project management and human resources. Always striving to bring efficiencies to our processes, she is not afraid to dig in to new areas to improve productivity or just make life easier for the team or our clients. She also supports the team through training and works hard to ensure our clients are treated to the perfect Vandenberg’s experience.
Ralph and Lori’s daughter, Chelsea has grown up in and around the world of gemstones. Chelsea joined the Vandenberg’s team in 2019, graduating from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) that same year in Jewellery Design. In August of 2023, she earned her Graduate Gemologist in residence at GIA, Carlsbad campus. Chelsea has a passion for the science behind gemstones and an artistic and creative drive. She loves hearing couple’s stories and coming up with creative ways to design the perfect jewellery piece that clients will love. Chelsea is passionate about making our clients feel comfortable and confident in their jewellery selection.
Shelley is a graduate of the Canadian Jewellers Association’s Graduate Jeweller program. With over 40 years experience in the jewellery industry in Edmonton, Shelley brings a wealth of knowledge and important experience to her work with our valued clients. Loved by all who know her, Shelley also maintains an integral role in the behind the scenes, day to day running of Vandenbergs. She does so many things, we couldn’t begin to list them! She is also our resident pearl expert and is responsible for the creation of many of our fabulous and unique pearl pieces.
Inah, an accomplished goldsmith and designer, is a graduate of Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary, holding a Fine Arts degree. With 17 years of industry experience, Inah is a tremendous asset to our team as she combines her technical expertise with her expressive creative designs. She enjoys problem solving, being perfectly comfortable with challenging and intricate designs. As head of our design team, Inah exhibits an unwavering commitment to quality control, and enjoys guiding our younger designers. Inah is fluent in English and Korean.
Debora comes to us all the way from Brazil! After learning her trade in Italy, Debora returned to Brazil where she opened her own jewellery design studio. Serendipity brought us together and we quickly snapped her up. With 13 years of design experience, Debora is everything you would expect in an international designer. Her style varies from classic to eclectic. Clients enjoy her creativity and humour, as she brings their design dream to life. Deborah is fluent in Portugese, English, and Italian.
Guillermo is our diamond specialist. He studied Jewellery Making and Repair at North Bennet Street School in Boston, then moved to New York to study Diamonds and Diamond Grading at the GIA campus. His studies include Rough Diamond Evaluation at the Diamond Education College, and Diamond Cutting and Polishing at the prestigious Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Training School. Both schools are in Johannesburg, South Africa. Guillermo went on to complete the Graduate Gemologist program through GIA. Few people in the industry have as great a passion for gems and for his clients! Guillermo came to us from Mexico and is fluent in English and Spanish.
Jeff has been honing his trade to perfection with Vandenbergs for over two decades. A graduate of the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, Jeff is the definition of a Master Goldsmith. Jeff’s advanced skill set makes even the most difficult work of art appear to come together effortlessly. His technical expertise and excellent design sense combine instinctively for stunning results.
Larry has been at the bench for 43 years. A Master Fabricator, there is little that he can’t fabricate from scratch, and no task is too small or too large for him. You just have to look at our new copper fan hood over our casting room in the new store to see his handiwork. He fabricated that from scratch! Larry came to us from Montreal in 2017. One of his specialties is refurbishing watch cases and straps, making them look brand new. He has worked on pieces for Prime Ministers, built custom gun pieces, and fabricated many other unique and interesting items. Larry is fluent in French.
Nhi is the Master Repairman at Vandenbergs. With 40 years at the bench, 26 of them with us, Nhi makes every repair look easy. Nhi’s skills as a craftsman are exceptional and our customers are the beneficiaries, as some repairs can be completed the same day and most within the week. Nhi is fluent in Vietnamese.
Joining us from Mexico, Jorge is our Graphic Designer, specializing in CAD (Computer Assisted Design). He uses his magic to turn your design from a concept to a 3-dimensional file. It’s amazing to watch him manipulate the programs to create amazing designs. He then prints the CAD file on our 3D printer, then passes it to the goldsmiths, who use their skills to finish creating your special piece. Jorge loves to show how the whole process works and you can meet him on one of our factory tours. Jorge is fluent in English and Spanish.
New to the Vandenberg’s team in 2022, Jordan brings a fresh perspective, and five years experience in the jewellery industry. Jordan is typically the first person you’ll meet when you come into our store or call or text us. She also manages our social media platforms, maintains our online store, and helps manage inventory control. Jordan can also be found taking photos of our beautiful pieces or displaying them in our showcases. Our own Jack-of-all-trades, Jordan is quick to learn and eager to take on every challenge!
At Vandenbergs, we pride ourselves on the attention and detail we put into your experience.
We want you to love every aspect of your jewellery’s story. From your initial meeting with our designer through to our superior aftercare, your experience at Vandenbergs is fashioned to be as unique and opulent as our carefully crafted pieces.