LaLonde Jewelers & Gemologists has a long and colorful history.

Over seventy-five years ago, Edward Pongracz set up a workbench in a corner of the front window of his father's upholstery shop and began repairing clocks and watches. Born in Chicago to Hungarian immigrants, Edward Pongracz began an apprenticeship at Tiffany's in New York at age 14. He learned watch repair and how to identify and appraise fine jewelry. 

Before he set up his bench in the window, Grosse Pointer's had to send their watches and clocks out of town for repairs; naturally his business began to grow rapidly.

Mr. Pongracz opened his first store at 16194 Kercheval in 1931 and later moved to 17008 Kercheval, the site of the former Jacobson's.  He started a clock route throughout the Grosse Pointe's during the 30's and 40's. Visiting the finest homes, including those belonging to the Joys, the Dodges, the Fords, and even the yacht Delphine, Mr. Pongracz would wind all of the clocks.  During this time, Mr. Pongracz had been renting his storefront and decided to buy his own property. He soon purchased a 20 x 80 foot lot on the Hill and built the store which stands today at 91 Kercheval. The year was 1948.

In 1975, Edward Pongracz retired, and sold his business to his son Ted.  Edward traveled with his wife Hilda until his death in 1987.  

In February of 2001, Ted approached Daniel & Cynthia LaLonde, owners of Pointe Jewelry of 
Grosse Pointe Woods, with the prospect of purchasing Pongracz Jewelers.  With Ted looking for retirement and Dan & Cindy looking to expand their business, the match was perfect.  Soon after, and under new ownership, the new Pongracz-LaLonde Jewelers was open for business.

In the years since, Dan & Cindy have expanded the now LaLonde Jewelers & Gemologists to include a full staff of jewelers, gemologists, watchmakers and sales associates.  

The store carries designer label jewelry and timepieces and continues the Pongracz tradition of fine silver giftware.

In 2014, LaLonde Jewelers unveiled our newly renovated showroom, resulting from a complete "gut" of the original interior. The grand opening was held just before the Christmas 2014 season.