Tom Allard began working as a jeweler in 1977 after graduating Gem City College in Quincy, Illinois. In 1979 he moved to Colorado where he joined his brother Dan (also a fine jeweler) in opening up their own jewelry store. But in 1983 the Midwest beckoned Tom back home where he took a job as a jeweler for Howard Jewelers in Davenport. Tom continued to be an employee there until he and a partner bought the store in 1990.
In early 2006 Tom and Gail made the difficult decision to liquidate Howard Jeweler’s (which also consisted of a partner store in Geneseo, Illinois) and then reopened in the spring of that same year as Allard Custom Jewelers (sans partner).
Since reopening under the new name, business has been booming! Although Tom has specialized in custom design since the beginning of his career, putting the word “custom” in the store name brought in new customers seeking original pieces. But let’s be honest. The regular customers who have trusted Tom and Gail with their jewelry needs for over twenty years are the ones who help keep our doors open.
Upon entering Allard’s Custom Jewelers, you’ll find yourself in a tastefully decorated, warm and friendly environment with a great view of the Mississippi River. Although not large, Allard’s showroom offers many fine jewelry items including designer collections, South African diamonds, and some of Tom’s more spectacular pieces.
Tom and Gail can be found at Allard’s five days a week – Tuesday through Saturday (they close on Sundays and Mondays). And staff employee Johanna is also happy to help fulfill customer needs. Working in the back shop, and seldom seen, Dave helps Tom with the heavy workload of repair and custom jobs.
We all look forward to seeing you soon!
Tom’s interest in making jewelry originated in his father’s dental lab where his father taught him to make moulds for teeth. As he learned to use the equipment, he was able to fashion jewelry for local art festivals such as Beaux Arts fair held annually in downtown Davenport. For thirty years he has continued to indulge his passion for the art of jewelry making.
Among Tom’s personal favorites are jewels crafted from 14 karat gold and natural Mississippi River pearls (culled from the Mississippi between Muscatine and Clinton, Iowa). Although it is now illegal to harvest these naturally created beauties, Tom purchased many river pearls from clammers back in the seventies and eighties. Over the past three decades customers have ordered his specially designed rings, pendants, earrings, and pins – all are unique pieces molded to the unusual shapes of each individual pearl.
Tom is also an avid collector of opals, especially black opals from Lightning Ridge, Australia, and boulder opals (opals that are too thin to be sliced off the rock on which they grow). Come admire his awesome black opal ring created in 14k yellow gold through the lost wax process, or ogle his stunning white opal pendant – filled with fire.
We are located at 2200 East Eleventh Street in the Historic Village of East Davenport. The village comprises several city blocks of lovely old buildings, cheerful gardens, old-fashioned street lamps, and historic Lindsay Park, once the training ground for Civil War Union soliders from Camp McClellan. But perhaps the biggest draw is the splendid view of the mighty Mississippi River with greenly lush Arsenal Island facing us from across the river.
On a glorious summer’s day you can sit on a park bench amidst beautiful flowers under a shady tree and watch the barge traffic sail on up (or down) the river. Or you might be lucky enough to witness the splendid historic Delta Queen paddle wheeler as she cruises on by.
The best way to shop at Allard’s is to plan a day out with friends or family (or even on your own). Take a look through the Village’s many other quaint shops and art galleries, visit the International Fire Museum or catch a show at the Village Theatre, stop and eat an authentic German, Mexican, or good old American meal, drop in for homemade icecream or chocolate, then plan on spending the rest of the day with us!