Larry has an art background from the University of Illinois and watchmaking and micro-precision technology background from Parkland College and completed a formal apprenticeship with German Master Goldsmith W.K. Theobald, who was also a designer for Jabel and an instructor for the School of Art in Pforzheim Germany. After finishing his apprenticeship and working for Mr. Theobald, Larry went on to work for a high end jewelry store in Ohio. In 1980 Larry decided he wanted to raise his family in the area where he grew up so he came home and started Husted Manufacturing on his son, Kevin's first birthday. Hustedt Mfg is a wholesale company that offers custom design and manufacturing and professional jewelry repair for retail stores across the country. Word quickly spread of Larry's talent and quality of craftsmanship and at one point had over 40 retail stores who he did the custom design and repairs for. In 1983 Larry and Ursula decided they wanted to offer their services to the public and purchased Hoover Jewelers in Gibson City, Il. Word of mouth traveled about Larry's unique abilities and business instantly started to grow. He has worked on single pieces of jewelry valued at over $250,000.00 and Hustedt Jewelers became one of central Illinois premiere destination for loose diamonds, engagement rings and custom design.

To this day Hustedt Jewelers is still running strong having customers come from all over Illinois and surrounding states for their fine jewelry and quality service.

During Larry's down time he enjoys wood working, camping and spending time with the family.

Ursula was born in Brackenheim, Germany. In 1971 she decided to come to America by herself and headed to Long Beach California to attend college, with only enough money for the first semester's tuition and supplemented it with babysitting and working for an insurance office. It is in Long Beach where she met and married Larry Hustedt who was in the Navy at the time. They have two children, Angelika and Kevin.

In 1980, along with running the back end of Hustedt Manufacturing she traveled with the kids, picking up and dropping of repairs to jewelry stores all across Illinois. As co owner and operator of Hustedt Jewelers, Ursula has a very hands on approach and is the backbone of our business. She enjoys working with customers and makes it her personal goal to find just the right item for them.

In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling and reading. Ursula might be mostly known throughout the community for her selflessness and cooking abilities.

Kevin was born June 24th 1979 and has spent his entire life in the jewelry industry. By the age of one, Kevin was in his stroller going in and out of jewelry stores across the state with his mother Ursula, who was picking up and dropping of repairs. Kevin was working on the bench, sizing rings and soldering chains by the young age of 10. He has trained under his father, Master Goldsmith Larry Hustedt, German Master Goldsmith Werner Theobald, Master Goldsmith Blaine Lewis and also attended classes at The Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology.

Kevin has received multiple certifications and titles from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) including the most sought after titles in the industry Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) and Graduate Gemologist (GG). Kevin plays a big role in store management, inspects and orders all the loose diamond inventory and is in charge of insurance appraisals for our customers.. Kevin's favorite part of the job is helping clients pick out their engagement ring.

“In most cases, the engagement ring is the most significant jewelry purchase a person makes. It is a true honor to be able to sit down one on one with people and help them choose that one beautiful piece of jewelry that represents so much.”

In Kevin's free time he enjoys crossfit, boating, hiking and camping.

Chris has been employed full time at Hustedt Jewelers since 2001. Along with helping out with the day to day operations, she takes care of the store's inventory management. Chris has received extensive training in fine jewelry and in jewelry & watch diagnostics. She is in charge of allocating all repair and custom work and performs the quality control for every job done for Hustedt Jewelers and Hustedt Manufacturing.

Chris is the proud mother of three, Adam, Allison and Emma.

In her free time Chris enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her family.

Brendon came to work with Hustedts in September 2011 through the GCMS Co-Op Program. In a matter of weeks, under the guide of Larry and Kevin, Brendon quickly progressed from cleaning jewelry to making minor repairs, rendering and even executing custom design work.

As his skills and experience continue to grow, Brendon will take on additional duties both in front and back of the store.

In Brendon's free time he enjoys crossfit and playing basketball.

Buddy is our handsome shop dog that has been a part of our family since 2010. He was left in the country abandoned and starved when he was found by a local resident. After being found Buddy was hit by a car and had to have surgery on a back leg and have part of his tail removed. Then Buddy found a home with our dear friend Larry Smestad. Larry & Buddy formed an inseparable bond and that is where Buddy stayed until Larry was diagnosed and eventually lost his battle with cancer. Buddy now lives with Kevin and will forever be a part of the Hustedt family. Despite the rough road, he is a very friendly dog who is extremely well behaved.

Buddy comes to work every day and can be found relaxing on his mat up in our front shop.