In 1910, recent immigrant Charles Tivol opened a jewelry shop in downtown Kansas City. Perched on a bench, he carefully crafted each piece of jewelry – and set a timeless standard for enduring workmanship and style.
Charles also handed down his unrelenting passion for quality. His son Harold began working in the store as a boy and now serves as chairman of the company.
After a three-year stint with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Harold studied at the Gemological Institute of America. He joined his father’s business in 1946, bringing not only extraordinary technical knowledge, but a business savvy that would help make Tivol legendary.
Under Harold’s leadership, a second store was opened in 1951 on the Country Club Plaza. Soon, it was outselling the downtown store, and the two later merged.
In addition to earning the trust of countless satisfied customers, Harold has also earned innumerable awards. In 1986, he was the first single store owner to be named to the National Jeweler Hall of Fame. In 1988, he was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by Modern Jeweler. And in 2003, Tivol was recognized by the American Gem Society as top retail jeweler of the year.
Nearly a century after its doors opened, Tivol’s tradition continues with its third generation.
Under the leadership of Harold’s daughter Cathy, Tivol has continued to flourish. A second location was opened in 1994 in Johnson County’s Hawthorne Plaza. Tivol added a third location in 2006 at Briarcliff Village in the heart of the Northland.
Over the course of Cathy’s three decades in the family business, she’s seen tremendous change. But the core values of Tivol are unwavering.
“Our customers really appreciate the high finished quality of our jewelry,” she says. “This is a hallmark of the finest designers, many of whom are exclusive to Tivol.”
As Tivol approaches its 100th birthday, some things remain unchanged. We continue to provide unmatched service and the finest products on the market.