2020
Covid hit. Virtually overnight, downtown was decimated. Foot traffic in Manulife Place went from 8,000 people a day down to almost zero, as 90% of workers transitioned to working from home.
Forced to close for 10 weeks, the store was, yet again, saved by Ralph’s foresight. Mere days before Covid became a known threat, Ralph launched an online store. Over the coming year, annual sales dropped, but thanks to our incredible and loyal clientele,
the store survived.
With its unique design, Vandenbergs Jewellers won the prestigious INSTORE Magazine’s “Coolest Stores in North America”.
2021
Business in Edmonton magazine honours Ralph with their 2021 Leaders Awards. This prestigious award “recognizes people in the business community who have contributed to making Edmonton the great city that it is — through their personal integrity, values, business initiatives, community involvement, innovation, and philanthropic activities”.
2023
The GIA campus in Carlsbad opened once again to international students and Chelsea was finally able to attend to secure her Graduate Gemologist. She came back even more on fire for gems than when she left. In the meantime, she had taken over our social media and had grown our numbers significantly. Chelsea also reignited our passion for giving back to the community, something that Ralph had done consistently for decades. Now, with renewed fervor and open hands, Ralph and Lori (now in the business full time) significantly increased their
philanthropic activities.
2024
With Covid firmly in the rear view, our team’s focus turned back to updating our knowledge, tools, and incorporating new technology and training, which in turn, allowed us to offer the best and latest services and technology to our clients. Ralph’s enduring attitude toward innovation and education continued to encourage our team to learn and grow their skills. This challenge created a culture where our team was always excited to learn and try new things.
2025
VJ had experienced rapid growth in the past 4 years, and our team had grown right along with it. Renovations to the store were needed to accommodate our expanded team of 14 experienced and dedicated professionals.
2026
This year, Vandenbergs Jewellers reached a significant milestone. Fifty years in business serving the Edmonton region. Without question, the success of our store rests solely on the fearless shoulders of our leader, Ralph Vandenberg.
An insatiable desire to learn, a fearless determination to explore, a vigilant view to the future, the flexibility to continuously innovate, and the humility to pivot when something fails; these are the hallmarks of his success.
But the heart of that success has always been his love for people, evidenced by generations of faithful clients, the beneficiaries of his generous community contributions, and the love and respect he has earned from peers and friends and family. His humble nature, his unfailing integrity, and his desire to pair beautiful gems to beautiful stories is what has set him apart and is the true foundation for our success.
The Future
Fear not! Our fearless leader will still be around much of the time as he slowly moves into semi-retirement (emphasis on slowly). Ralph has been mentoring Chelsea for 7 years, bringing her to the Vegas International Jewellery Shows consistently, adopting her into his long-standing industry relationships, taking her to Antwerp to tour cutting factories, and teaching her the ins and outs of the jewellery business. In 2026, Chelsea travelled solo to Italy for the Vincenza Oro Jewellery Show and brought back ideas for cutting edge developments that will positively impact our store, and our clients, for years to come.
But even as Ralph and Lori fade into the background, the heart of Vandenbergs Jewellers will endure. Along with our shared unwavering faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the pillars Ralph has established will continue to be Chelsea’s North Star.
As the third generation of Vandenbergs slowly takes the helm, our future is bright. With your help, and thanks to your loyalty, Vandenbergs Jewellers will strive to be around for another 50 years!
THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF OUR STORY.