Tiny Jewel Box
Washington DC’s premiere jeweler beloved by First Ladies.
Tiny Jewel Box is a third-generation jeweler in Washington, DC.
The current owner, Matthew Rosenheim, was born into the industry. His mother, Roz, and father, Monte, opened the store in 1930. The tiny, 100-square-foot store was situated between two office buildings—it was indeed a tiny jewelry box. The store didn’t have heat or running water, and special cases were built so customers could navigate the cramped store.
But that didn’t stop president FDR, First Ladies, ambassadors, members of Congress, and foreign dignitaries to frequent Tiny Jewel Box over the years. In 1944, Roz and Monte moved into a slightly bigger space: an alley breezeway so narrow you could extend your arms and touch both walls. Over the years, Roz and Monte’s son, Jim, learned the family business. Tiny Jewel Box became less tiny, and more a trusted institution for jewelry in the nation’s capital.
Now Tiny Jewel Box occupies the entire historic corner of Connecticut Avenue and M Street NW—about 22,000 square feet. Jim’s son, Matt, is at the helm and describes the store’s ambiance as “unpretentious luxury.” They carry designer jewelry, diamonds, bridal, accessories, watches, and corporate gifts.
FEATURED DESIGNERS
The Legacy
Originally, Tiny Jewel Box specialized in antique and estate jewelry. Almost every item they sold was one of a kind. What Matt loves about vintage jewelry is that it’s connected to more than metal and stones—it’s connected to art, history, and architecture. There’s context of the period in which something was made. And every piece of jewelry had a story. Roz and Monte passed down those stories to Jim and Matt, helping them appreciate the soul of the items in their store.
Roz
Matt was mentored by his grandparents and his father, Jim, but he was truly inspired watching his grandmother working. Roz was the front person of the store when jewelry was traditionally more of a man’s world. She was beautiful, charming, and a natural salesperson. She was knowledgable and had a lot of “chutzpah,” as they say in Yiddish. The Tiny Jewel Box’s Roslyn Collection is inspired by Roz.
The Muse
The Family
The Trends
It’s not surprising that Matt’s dream client is Michelle Obama. “She stepped out and wore beautiful, interesting designer jewelry while being a great role model to kids,” Matt says. The Obama’s kids were similar in age to Matt’s kids, and Matt admired how the first daughters behaved and interacted with their parents.
“Every morning I wake up and feel blessed. I’m surrounded by beautiful things, and get to celebrate beautiful moments in my clients’ lives. The jewelry business, for the most part, is a happy occasion business. Clients and friends celebrate milestones, and I get to be a small part of people's joyous moments.”
-Matt Rosenheim (on right)
Matt says, “the casualization of lifestyle” is the driver of today’s jewelry purchases. People are willing to spend money on jewelry as long as it suits their lifestyle and doesn’t sit in a drawer to be worn only for special occasions. Wearable jewelry for everyday occasions that translate into different activities is what people want—designers like Marco Bicego and Alex Sepkus.
For almost 90 years, the three generations of the Rosenheim family and Tiny Jewel Box have filled a niche, hand-selecting and creating exceptional items. As a DC institution, Tiny Jewel Box has created gifts for the White House, Congress, Supreme Court, and embassies; a testament to Tiny Jewel Box’s rich political and societal history.
In 2008, on the White House steps of Inauguration Day, Michelle Obama presented Laura Bush with a gift designed by Tiny Jewel Box. The following year, the store hosted a book signing event for US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright. Madam Secretary famously wore many pins from Tiny Jewel Box to convey diplomatic messages.
When the Obamas went to England to visit Queen Elizabeth in 2011, they gave her a vintage American-made brooch from 1950 with 14-karat yellow gold, diamonds, and moss agate. Their exclusive Federal Collection is a tribute and celebration of Washington’s past, present, and future.
SOCIAL STYLE
Coming Soon
Jason’s Interview with Matt of Tiny Jewel Box
TINY JEWEL BOX
GIVES BACK
The jeweler hosted a pop-up shop inside their store for a program called Have a Heart. The partnership with MUSE showroom in New York benefitted various charities, including the Jed Foundation and Active Minds, organizations supporting suicide prevention and mental health for young adults. With a cameo by Stacy London, jewelry designers designed heart charms sold at the event and a percentage of the proceeds went to charity.
Tiny Jewel Box only purchases diamonds through suppliers who adhere and enforce the standards established by the Kimberley Process. They don’t sell any coral, as unsustainable coral harvesting can critically damage important marine ecosystems, or ivory products. Tiny Jewel Box approaches social responsibility authentically, and won’t make claims they can’t back up. Matt sits on the Board of Directors for the Jewelers of America. He hopes to help move the jewelry industry into a more thoughtful direction where business owners use their power of influence to do good.
Jim was recognized at the 2014 Couture Design Awards with the prestigious Human Spirit Award. This honors individuals in the couture community who demonstrate an exceptional generosity of mind and spirit, a commitment to philanthropy, integrity, and a standard of excellence.
