Ernst Jewelers is a luxury jewelry store regarded as one of the oldest family-owned and operated in Texas. First opened by C.A. Randolph and Robert Ernst Sr. in 1893, Ernst would later buy out the business upon Randolph's retirement in the early 1900s. In 1930, Ernst's son, Robert A., joined the business and renamed it Robert Ernest Jewelry Store.
The family also owned a bridal registry and jewelry store three buildings away called Mt. Vernon Jewelry and Gift Shop, which was run by Lois B. Ernst, Robert A. Ernst's wife.
Upon Robert A. Ernst's retirement in 1976, his son, Robert C., who had been in business with his father for ten years prior, assumed ownership. It was then that both the family jewelry store and Mt. Vernon's Jewelry and Gift Shop were incorporated as Ernst Jewelers Inc. in 1994, the fourth generation and present owner of Ernst Jewelers, Robert C. Jr., gained ownership of the jewelry store.