Jewelry Designer and Gemologist Ellie Thompson Dies

By Karen Dybis | August 04, 2026

Jewelry designer and gemologist Eleanor (Ellie) Louise Stroup Thompson (pictured), known for her award-winning jewelry as well as her passion for family, competitive biking, and travel, died on July 30.

Thompson, who owned Ellie Thompson & Co. in Chicago, worked in the jewelry industry for the better part of four decades, says her daughter Lindsay Thompson. Thompson tells JCK that she had an “amazing mom.”

“My beautiful, positive force of a mother has crossed over into a world of endless mountains, diamonds, and lakes, where there is always fresh baked bread, sushi, and pizza. This less-perfect world will be worse off without her,” Thompson says.

Ellie Thompson was born in Rochester, N.Y., in 1966 and is a graduate of Hamden High School in Connecticut and the Gemological Institute of America, where she received her Graduate Gemologist certification.

Ellie Thompson bike — *Along with her work and family, Ellie Thompson loved cycling and often competed in the sport.*

She started her career with the goldsmith Derek Simpson in New Haven, Ct., and moved to Chicago to work for Richard Drucker at Gemworld International. She later opened her own independent appraisal company, the Chicago Gem Lab, and worked with Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

Ellie Thompson debuted her first jewelry collection, City Rhythms, because of her love for the city of Chicago. She loved designing jewelry so much she sold Chicago Gem Lab and opened Ellie Thomson & Co. She started her other favorite job in 1996 when she became a mom.

On her website, Ellie Thompson said she was fortunate to be a jewelry designer and described jewelry as art—something “that reflects the creativity of the artists and the personality of the person who wears it. Since we adorn our bodies with these pieces, our jewelry is imbued with personal intent.”

Ellie Thompson’s work earned three Spectrum Awards and the American Vision Award twice. She also earned accolades from the World Gold Council and the Platinum Guild International. Two of her jewels are in the permanent collection of the Field Museum in the Grainger Hall of Gems.

In 2000, she was awarded first prize in the American Jewelry Design Council’s New Talent Competition. In 2019, she moved her store to Chicago’s Roscoe Village, where she also volunteered with the Lakeview/Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce. She also was a past president of the Midwest Chapter of the Women’s Jewelry Association.

As a competitive mountain biker, Ellie Thompson made several race appearances across the Midwest. “She was a tenacious competitor, and while she broke many bones along the way, falling down never broke her spirit. She always found a way to get back on her bike, and the friendships she formed while riding were precious to her,” her obituary reads.

She is survived by her daughter Lindsay Thompson of Chicago; her mother Drusilla D. Cherry; her father Dr. Ralph F. Stroup with stepmother Mary Ann; her brothers Derek, Justin, and Dylan; four nieces, and her dog, Beefcake.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to the Southern Kettles Off Road Riders. Lindsay Thompson is collecting stories and photographs of her mom.

A celebration of life will be held Aug. 23 in Chicago. A memorial sale of all her jewelry, art, and more will take place in person in September.

(Photos courtesy of Lindsay Thompson)