HYDE PARK JEWELERS | Giving

Hyde Park Jewelers is the leading jeweler of Denver and located in the Cherry Creek Mall. Founded in 1976 by Michael Pollak, the company has evolved into four different stores at the mall – Hyde Park Jewelers, the Omega Boutique, the Breitling Boutique and the Roberto Coin Boutique, selling giftable brands from G-Shock to ROLEX watches to the One by Hyde Park – their own collection of engagement rings.

Hyde Park Jewelers also serves customers from stores at the Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix, in Newport Beach, CA at its Traditional Jewelers store and from the Rolex Boutique Hyde Park at the Forum Shops at Caesars, Las Vegas. Hyde Park’s Platinum Club rewards its customers for purchases made at all locations with points redeemable towards purchases.

What most customers don’t know about is Michael’s commitment to charities that provide life-improving services to children and their families in the Denver area. We had a chance to catch-up with Michael and learn what drives his passion for giving.

Q: Michael, please tell us about Diamonds in the Rough and how it started.
A: We wanted to have a significant, positive impact for children and their families. In 2000, Hyde Park Jewelers founded the Diamonds in the Rough Charity Dinner & Celebrity Golf Tournament, an annual event benefiting Denver Health Foundation, Judi’s House, Global Down Syndrome Foundation and YouthBiz. So far, we’ve contributed over $500,000 to these and other charities.

Q: What’s the event like and how has it grown since 2000?
A: We do a benefit dinner on the first evening at Elway’s in Cherry Creek. The next day is a great day of golfing at our tournament at the Sanctuary Golf Course, with a purse of over $250,000. Many celebrities join foursomes. I love to have a great time with friends old and new at one of the premiere courses in Colorado. And all of the proceeds benefit our charities. The number of people participating has doubled since the event started – we now have 150 people involved. More people means a greater contribution to our charities.

Q: Christmas and Hanukkah are approaching. What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
A: Ice skating with our family in Beaver Creek and enjoying hot cocoa. It’s such a beautiful setting and our favorite ski resort to enjoy over the holidays.