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Zales History

For almost 100 years, we've maintained our principles of timeless, high-quality jewelry and service. From one small shop in Wichita Falls, to over 1,700 trusted locations today-we have never lost sight of our founders' values.

1920s-1940s

1924
Morris Zale, William Zale and Ben Lipshy open the first Zales Jewelers on March 29, 1924, in Wichita Falls, Texas. In addition to jewelry, their inventory includes cameras, small appliances and cookware.

1926-1942
The success of the credit policy, along with exceptional customer service and a centralized buying policy, leads the company to expand to 12 locations throughout Texas and Oklahoma.

1944
Zales acquires Corrigan's of Houston, its first "carriage trade" (fine jewelry) store.

1946
Zales Jewelers moves its headquarters from Wichita Falls to Dallas, Texas.


1950s

The company installs one of the country's first computer systems and is among the first major jewelers to institute management training.

1957
Zales Jewelers broadens its reach, opening the first store in a shopping center – a major shift from operating only in downtown locations. The same year, Zales announces the initial public offering of its stock (ZLC) and begins trading its public shares on the American Stock Exchange the following year.


1960s

The company diversifies, branching out into shoes, sporting goods, drug stores, furniture and catalog stores. Reflecting this diversity, the company name becomes Zale Corporation.


1980s

The company's sales reach $1.04 billion.

1984-1985
Zale Corporation unveils acquisition of the 890-carat "Incomparable Diamond", the largest internally flawless diamond in the world. In 1985, Zale moves its world headquarters to Irving, Texas.

1989
Zale acquires Gordon's Jewelers, a 469-store chain based in Houston, Texas.


1990s

1992
Zale Corporation files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but emerges the following year as a financially stronger company after restructuring its debt.

1997
Annual sales top $1.3 billion, showing profit in all four quarters for the first time since the reorganization.

1998
Zales Outlet is launched, giving the corporation 13 locations in premier outlet centers nationwide. Online shopping is launched at zales.com.

1999-2000
Zale expands with two major acquisitions: Peoples Jewellers of Canada and Piercing Pagoda.


2000s

2007
Zale expands its e-Commerce business with the launch of gordonsjewelers.com. Zale divests the Bailey Banks & Biddle brand.

2008
The JCK-Harrison Group Consumer Jewelry Study ranks Zales "1 in unaided brand awareness.

2009
Zale Corporation marks the 85th anniversary of the opening of the first Zales Jewelers store. Zales Outlet unveils its e-Commerce site with the launch of zalesoutlet.com.


2010s

2010
Zale continues to expand its e-Commerce business with two significant launches: pagoda.com, providing an online presence for Piercing Pagoda, and peoplesjewellers.com, bringing multi-channel shopping to consumers across Canada.

2012
Zales partners with acclaimed designer Vera Wang, creating the Vera Wang Love Collection of diamond bridal jewelry.

2013
Zale Corporation returned to profitability. In fiscal 2013, the Company achieved $10 million in net earnings or $0.24 per diluted share, representing the highest net earnings for Zale since fiscal 2007.

2014
Zales celebrates 90 years in business. Later in the year, Signet Jewelers acquires Zales, bringing together some of the best-known and most-beloved brands in jewelry, and the BEST people in the industry. At the heart of both of companies is a passion for helping customers as they "Celebrate Life and Express Love"®.

2016
Zales, along with Kay and Jared, introduces the Ever Us™ Collection of two-stone diamond rings. This collection is the most successful launch in company history, and is expanded to include two-stone diamond earrings and fashion pendants.