A Legacy in Gold: The Story of Steve Pronko Jewelers
In a modest corner of Dickson City, Pennsylvania, a third-generation family business continues to sparkle – both literally and figuratively. Steve Pronko Jewelers, a name synonymous with craftsmanship and community, has spent nearly a century helping Northeastern Pennsylvanians celebrate love, milestones, and moments that last a lifetime.
From a Watchmaker’s Bench to a Community Institution
The story begins in 1928, when a young Steve Pronko, a self-taught watchmaker, set up shop in the back of his brother’s pharmacy in Peckville. It was the tail end of the Roaring Twenties, and while the Great Depression would soon change everything, Steve’s precision and honesty earned him loyal customers. He repaired watches, sold radios and appliances, and built relationships – one tick of a second hand at a time.
After World War II, as America fell in love with prosperity and weddings boomed, Pronko shifted focus from appliances to fine jewelry. His vision of creating a trusted hometown jeweler began to take shape, one diamond at a time.
The Second Generation Steps In
By the 1970s, Steve’s son Dave Pronko took over the reins, infusing the business with modern touches while preserving the values his father had built. Under Dave’s direction, the store expanded its offerings and reputation. Customers knew they weren’t just buying jewelry – they were investing in craftsmanship, integrity, and a family that stood behind every piece sold.
Steve remained a beloved figure in the community until his passing in 2003 at age 92. By then, the name “Steve Pronko” had become shorthand in the region for trust and quality.
The Modern Era of Sparkle
In 2005, Steve’s grandson Nick Pronko returned home after earning a finance degree from the University of Scranton and working for investment firm Vanguard. “I thought I was just helping out for a little while,” Nick once admitted. “But I found myself drawn to the artistry and legacy of the business.”
That “little while” turned into a lifelong calling. Nick immersed himself in gemology, earning credentials as a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and a Certified Gemologist Appraiser with the American Gem Society (AGS). When he officially took over the store in 2014, he did so with a dual focus: honoring his grandfather’s commitment to craftsmanship while embracing the precision and innovation of modern jewelry design.
A Modern Jeweler with Old-School Values
Today, Steve Pronko Jewelers, located at 817 Boulevard Avenue in Dickson City, is more than a jewelry store – it’s a cornerstone of the community. The staff includes GIA-trained professionals who balance tradition with cutting-edge technology like CAD design, custom fabrication, and laser repair.
The store’s services go far beyond sales. Engagement rings and wedding bands are, of course, the heart of the business, but repairs, restorations, and appraisals are equally central to its identity. As Nick likes to say, “Every repair, every engraving, every diamond – we treat it like it’s ours.”
The shop has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and regular nods in local “Readers’ Choice” awards. But its truest accolades come from customers who return generation after generation – often bringing their children to pick out engagement rings from the same jeweler who sold theirs decades earlier.
Nearly a Century of Shine
Next year marks nearly 100 years since a young watchmaker in Peckville set up his bench and unknowingly began one of the region’s most enduring businesses. From Steve to Dave to Nick, the Pronko family has kept time – literally and figuratively – for the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
In an age where jewelry can be bought with a click, Steve Pronko Jewelers proves that craftsmanship, community, and connection are still the most precious gems of all.