For the Udell family, the story of London Jewelers is not simply one of business success but of craft, perseverance and inheritance, passed carefully from one generation to the next.
That legacy begins in the 1920s, when Charles London, a Polish immigrant and self-taught watchmaker, arrived in America with little beyond his skill and determination. On the storied Gold Coast, he established a reputation for precision and discretion, tending clocks and timepieces in the grand homes of the Whitneys, Morgans, Vanderbilts and Pratts.
Charles London outside the London Jewelers Glen Cove flagship
By 1926, London had earned the trust of the Glen Cove community and opened London Jewelers on School Street. Much of that legacy was shaped by Fran and Mayer Udell, who dedicated their lives to building the business while maintaining the trust and relationships that have defined it for nearly a century. Together, they helped transform London Jewelers into a destination synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship, expertise and hospitality.
London Jewelers’ East Hampton store
Today, Mark and Candy Udell continue to build on that foundation alongside the fourth generation—Randi Udell-Alper, Scott Udell and nephew Zach Udell—who are helping guide the future of the company. Together, they have expanded London Jewelers across New York and New Jersey while preserving the personalized experience that has long distinguished the family-owned business.
As London Jewelers celebrates its centennial milestone, the company remains an example of enduring family leadership. For the Udells, success has never been measured solely by growth, but by the relationships cultivated over generations, the trust earned from clients and the commitment to treating every customer like family.
