Hurst Fine Diamonds - A Family Tradition

Our first store, called the "Hurst Loan Office," was opened in 1908 at 612 Main Street in Kansas City, Missouri in what is now the historic City Market area. "Honest Ben", as he was affectionately called by his customers, did well and by the 1920's had moved from the original location to 18th and Vine in the famous Kansas City Jazz District and established a second location at 12th and Highland.

Business went well for Honest Ben ("Boss" to employees and family), enabling him to travel to New York during the Great Depression to purchase winter coats for the under-privileged families of Kansas City. Making many train trips to New York, Honest Ben Hurst gave away over 2,000 winter coats from 1929 through 1930.

Morton L. Hurst, Ben's youngest son who would eventually own the business, began working for his father as an errand boy at age 12 in 1938. The following year the two stores were combined to create "Hurst Diamond Shop" at 12th and Main in downtown Kansas City. In addition to the fine jewelry we are known for today, the Hurst Diamond Shop also inventoried clothing, fur coats, musical instruments and other items for the discriminating shopper.

Young Morton was ready to purchase the business from his father by 1968, and continues to remain involved today, serving in his role as President of "Hurst Fine Diamonds". Following in his father's footsteps, 13-year old Michael A. Hurst started his career as an errand boy working after school. Michael went on to become General Manager and Vice President of the family owned business.

Mall shoppers were able to visit Hurst Diamond Shop at Indian Springs Mall in Kansas City, Kansas, by 1982. Our business continued to expand, with store openings in Columbia, Jefferson City and Joplin in Misssouri and Lawrence in Kansas. In 1987, the downtown Kansas City location was moved into the Town Pavilion Mall. In 1992, the business name was changed to "Hurst Fine Diamonds."

Today Honest Ben's dream remains intact through three generations; his son, Morton L. Hurst continues to provide business acumen and direction as the company's President. Grandson, Michael A. Hurst continues today as Vice President and General Manager. In the tradition established by Honest Ben, fine jewelry can still be purchased at a fair price from Hurst Fine Diamonds, located in Columbia and Jefferson City, Missouri and in Lawrence, Kansas.

A Jewelry tradition nearly 100 years in the making.