The Story of Charles Koll: A San Diego Family Jeweler Built on Craftsmanship

At Charles Koll Jewelry Works, our story has always been about more than jewelry.

It is about family. It is about craft. It is about the people behind the bench, the conversations that happen in the showroom, and the trust that is built when a client can see how their jewelry is being made, repaired, redesigned, or cared for.

Our roots go back decades, beginning with the Koll family jewelry business in South Africa. What started as a family tradition eventually made its way to San Diego, where Charles and Malcolm Koll opened the first Charles Koll store in 1991. Since then, Charles Koll Jewelry Works has grown into a San Diego jewelry studio known for custom design, in-house craftsmanship, and a team approach to fine jewelry.

But to understand who we are today, it helps to understand where we came from.

From South Africa to San Diego

The Charles Koll story began in South Africa, where the Koll family business was built around jewelry, design, and manufacturing. Malcolm Koll joined the family business in 1977, working alongside his father, Charles Koll, and helping carry the business forward.

In the early years, the business was rooted in retail, but Malcolm saw the opportunity to build something deeper through manufacturing and custom design. That focus on making jewelry, not just selling jewelry, became a defining part of the Charles Koll identity.

Eventually, Charles and Malcolm brought that vision to Southern California. After relocating to San Diego, they opened the first Charles Koll store here in 1991.

That move shaped the next chapter of the business. San Diego became our home, and craftsmanship remained our foundation.

A family business with the next generation in place

Today, Charles Koll is still very much a family business.

Malcolm Koll remains deeply connected to the design, craftsmanship, and creative side of the company. His experience and eye for detail continue to influence the way we approach each piece, especially when it comes to custom work and meaningful jewelry that needs to reflect a client’s personal story.

Richard Koll, Malcolm’s son, joined the business in 2011. After studying business at the University of Colorado and spending time in South Africa learning more about his family history, Richard came back to San Diego and joined the Charles Koll team.

Today, Richard serves as CEO and helps lead the business into its next generation. His role is different from Malcolm’s, but equally important. Richard brings structure, operations, technology, and a forward-looking approach to the store while still honoring the craftsmanship and values that built the company.

That balance matters. Charles Koll is not trying to become a generic jewelry retailer. We are carrying a family business forward while continuing to evolve for the clients we serve today.

The people behind the work

One of the things we are most proud of is our team.

Jewelry is personal, and the people helping you make decisions matter. Whether someone is designing an engagement ring, redesigning a family piece, choosing wedding bands, repairing a ring, or simply trying to understand what they have, they are trusting us with something meaningful.

Our team brings together designers, jewelers, sales associates, appraisers, operations support, and technology-minded problem solvers. Each person plays a role in making the Charles Koll experience feel thoughtful, transparent, and personal.

David Armstrong, our CAD designer, has been part of the company since 1992. His combination of design experience and technical skill has helped shape countless custom pieces over the years. Having someone with that level of history and craftsmanship on the team is part of what makes our studio so special.

Claire Wimberley Freeby, Lacey Gonzalez, and Courtney Cohen work closely with clients in the showroom, helping guide conversations around design, style, gemstones, appraisals, estate jewelry, and everyday fine jewelry decisions. They are not simply sales associates. They are accredited jewelry professionals, designers, and GIA Graduate Gemologists who bring real knowledge and care to each client conversation. Their expertise helps make the experience feel both personal and informed, whether a client is designing something from scratch, choosing an engagement ring, or trying to understand a family piece.

Behind the scenes, our goldsmiths Loc Tran, Fredi H., and Thai N. help bring pieces to life through hands-on craftsmanship. Their work is often the part clients do not always see up close, but it is central to everything we do.

Tyler Carmonds is our in-house photographer and website administrator, helping capture our jewelry and keep our digital presence current. Michael Giaramito supports the technology side of the business, and Katelynn Purdue plays an essential role in managing the manufacturing schedule, helping ensure client projects are completed on time and held to the standards we expect from our studio. Breanna Rogers is our front-of-house experience manager, making sure everyone who walks into the business feels seen and welcomed.

In a business like ours, the details matter. It takes a strong team to keep the experience running smoothly from the first conversation to the final piece, and we are proud of the people behind that work.

Why the workshop matters

One of the most unique parts of Charles Koll is our studio and workshop.

Jewelry can feel mysterious when you do not know how it is made. Our goal has always been to make the process feel more open and understandable. In our studio, clients can see the work happening and know that their jewelry is being handled by real people with skill, care, and experience.

That transparency is part of who we are.

When a piece is designed, adjusted, repaired, or finished, there are many small decisions that affect how it looks, feels, and wears over time. Having the design team, jewelers, and client-facing team working together under one roof allows us to communicate clearly and stay close to the process.

It also means the experience feels more personal. You are not just choosing something from a case and leaving. You are working with a team that understands jewelry from both the creative and technical side.

Built on craftsmanship, carried by relationships

Fine jewelry is often tied to important moments. Engagements. Weddings. Anniversaries. Family milestones. Inherited pieces. New beginnings. Sometimes even difficult transitions.

Because of that, we believe the relationship matters as much as the jewelry.

Over the years, we have worked with clients through many different seasons of life. Some come to us for an engagement ring and later return for wedding bands. Some bring in heirlooms that have been sitting in a drawer for years. Some come in with a repair and end up starting a custom project. Some simply want guidance from people they can trust.

That is the benefit of a family jeweler. We are not here for one transaction. We are here to be a long-term resource.

A San Diego jeweler with a long view

We are proud to be part of the San Diego community and proud to continue building a business that has been shaped by multiple generations of the Koll family.

Charles Koll Jewelry Works is both old and new in the best way. Our history gives us depth, but our team continues to evolve. We use technology, design tools, and modern processes, but the heart of the business is still craftsmanship, transparency, and personal relationships.

That is what we hope people feel when they walk into our showroom.

They are not just visiting a jewelry store. They are stepping into a working studio, a family business, and a team of people who care deeply about making jewelry the right way.

Visit us in Sorrento Valley

Our showroom and studio are located in Sorrento Valley, where we welcome clients for custom design, engagement rings, wedding bands, repairs, appraisals, estate jewelry conversations, and everything in between.

But more than anything, we welcome people who want to understand their jewelry, create something meaningful, or work with a team they can trust.

That has always been the Charles Koll way, from South Africa to San Diego, and from one generation to the next.

Book an appointment here:
https://charleskoll.com/pages/booking