Craig S. Husar
Owner | Chief Romance Officer | Jewelry Designer
The Face of Fine Diamonds
Craig Husar is proud to have been among the seafaring explorers who recovered the scattered wreckage of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha in Key West, Florida more than 360 years after a hurricane sent the treasure-laden ship plunging to the ocean’s floor.
Today, he is one of America’s most trusted names in the diamond and jewelry industry. His family’s Brookfield, Wisconsin-based jewelry store was founded by Lyle and Alice Husar in 1968. It was originally known as Husar’s Tic-Tok Shop, then Lyle Husar Designs. Under his leadership, the store has grown into a free-standing, 7500-square-foot showroom. It features some of the finest names in diamonds, jewelry, timepieces, and a national design award-winning Husar Design Studio.
Craig’s passions include gemology, boating, vintage cars, and watches. He’s the founder of the Husar Angels Foundation and a proud wish granter for Make-A-Wish, Wisconsin. He has served on many boards including Yacht Blast for Kids and the Wilson Center for the Arts, but is best known for his role as Brookfield’s “Chief Romance Officer”.
This Renaissance man is most grateful for his awesome relationship with his family; wife Danielle, children; Becca, Aidan, and Nadia, and four-legged companion Oliver.
My career began at a young age, working in my parent's jewelry store. The store was founded by my father, a master watchmaker. My focus was sales. About this time, I began attending the Tucson Gem Show and JCK. I fell in love with gemstones and in my 20's I moved to Santa Monica, CA to attend the Gemological Institute of America. After a little personal encouragement from Richard T. Liddicoat "the father of modern gemology", I decided to accept a position as an Instructor of Gemology and spent the next chapter of my life overcoming my fear of public speaking.
Several years later, while in the Gem Trade Lab, I opened a package shipped by famed treasure hunter, Mel Fisher. Out rolled a 90 carat emerald that had been recovered from the shipwreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. With this gem in the palm of my hand and a chill in my spine, I called Mel and convinced him he needed a Gemologist on his team. Off to the Florida Keys. I went on to become the Exhibition Director for the "Treasures of the Atocha" exhibit. Our event was hosted by 85 hand selected independent jewelers throughout America and Canada. It drew crowds of thousands at each store and generated over $10 million in revenue. The story inspired the minds of thousands.
The last stop of the tour was hosted by our store in Wisconsin. Shortly after, I decided to use my knowledge to help grow the family business. My experience working with dozens of the finest families in the jewelry industry helped led to explosive growth. Today, I am proud to say that I am the owner. We've successfully transitioned from first generation to second generation. I've built relationships with some of the finest brands in the industry and the business continues to grow under my leadership.
With gratitude, Craig Husar
