Steeped in tradition, Hiller Jewelry was founded in 1918 by Alphonse Hiller who began as a wholesaler of fine and costume jewelry. The first location was the Godchaux Building on the corner of Canal Street and Decatur in the New Orleans Central Business District.

During those days, Hiller customers were owners of retail stores – not only in Metro New Orleans, but in other cities in Louisiana and Mississippi.

In the 1930s, Hiller brought in his son, Jonas, to join the family business. As Jonas learned the trade, he began to travel extensively to New York, forging lasting relationships with some of the jewelry industry’s top manufacturers. Hiller Jewelry was on its way, selling fine jewelry and precious gems at prices the competition merely envied.

In the decades that followed, New Orleans changed and Hiller Jewelry changed along with it. Jonas Hiller, now President, increased Hiller Jewelry’s selection of gold and platinum pieces. Diamonds and colored stones, like rubies, sapphires and emeralds became Jonas’ specialty – as Hiller continued to bring retailers across the country the finest in gems and jewelry.

The ‘70s and ‘80s brought with it significant changes for the company. Hiller Jewelry shifted the emphasis from wholesale to becoming a retail jewelry store – bringing together the best of both worlds: the incredible knowledge and contacts with manufacturers and quality product direct to the consumer. During this period, Jonas’ son-in-law, Joe Biderman, joined the business, quickly becoming Hiller’s right-hand man. Together, they grew Hiller Jewelry to new heights. When Jonas died in 1991, Biderman became President of Hiller Jewelry. In 1994, the store relocated from the New Orleans CBD to Veterans Boulevard in retail-friendly Metairie where it still resides today.

The family tradition continues. Biderman is still President and he works side by side with his wife, Joan, sister-in-law, Patti Hiller Lengsfield and his daughter, Lisa. Together, they strive to keep Hiller Jewelry competitive in the ever-changing marketplace…and world.