After more than 30 in operation, Vinca still has the quality of a ‘find’. Ever since we opened our doors on the Country Club Plaza in 1987, Vinca has been defined by our craftsmanship, customer service, and ability to source the world’s best gemstones. As the Vinca family has grown, so have the ties to our people we serve. Here are the events that brought us to where we are today.
Our History
1987
Inspired by their extensive travels, and with a desire to make handcrafted, quality fine jewelry available to more people, Simon and Elizabeth open Vinca’s doors on the Country Club Plaza. At the time, the store was located on the third floor of the Plaza’s Seville Square, which has since been transformed into a movie theatre.
1990
Vinca hires its first on-site jeweler-craftsman, Dung, and doubles its capacity to bring custom designs to life in house. Dung is still a part of the Vinca team today.
1991
Simon makes his first visit to the opal mines in Central Australia, establishing another important from-the-source connection for gemstones.
1993
Vinca gains entry into the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, the world’s pre-eminent jewelery show. Simon brings his middle daughter, Katherine, on the trip.
1995
The family craftsman tradition is passed on, as Simon and Elizabeth’s then-13-year-old son Christian learns to cast gold and starts to design his first pieces.
1996
Tu (far right) joins the Vinca team, establishing new systems and codes for customer care. Tu serves as Vinca’s store manager today.
1997
Vinca moves to its current home at 4801 Jefferson Street. The street-level address cements Vinca’s place as a cornerstone of the Country Club Plaza, and allows for more people to be exposed to its unique designs through beautiful window displays.
1999
Simon and his son Christian are invited the exclusive Annual Tahiti Black Pearl market, where they spend six days watching the harvest of natural black pearls, then selecting the inky beauties that will become part of many of Vinca’s signature pieces.
2007
Simon and Elizabeth welcome their first grandchild, baby Elizabeth, into the family.
2013
Vinca sends out its first original holiday card, a tradition that has greeted customers in their mailbox every holiday season since .
2018
The Vinca family grows to 20: Simon and Elizabeth, their four children, and 9 grandchildren, with another expected in mid-2018. Blessings abound. Thank you, Kansas City, for letting us serve you.
Located on Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza, Vinca is open from 11am-7pm Monday-Friday, and 12-5 on Sundays. We look forward to making your jewelry dreams come true.