Our History
Slideshow
Special Thanks to Hal Sr. & Jean Henrickson
Born in Montana in 1940, Hal Henrickson Sr. was raised with a deep appreciation for the outdoors. During his youth, he spent time hunting, fishing and rock hunting with his grandfather in the backcountry near Cooke City. Together, they searched for Montana agates, jade and other stones, sparking Hal’s lifelong passion for rocks, gemstones and jewelry.
As a teenager, Hal worked for Higgenbothom-Koppe Jewelers in downtown Billings, where he began building his knowledge of fine gemstones, diamonds and jewelry. At age 23, he was stationed in Killeen, Texas, and served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1965. After returning home, Hal married Jean Cook on August 21, 1965. The couple began their life and family together in Denver, where Hal worked as a buyer and salesperson for William Crowe Jewelers.
A Family Business
In 1979, Hal and Jean returned to Montana with their two sons, Hal Jr. and Jason, to celebrate his parents’ 40th anniversary. During the visit, Hal learned that a wholesale rock and gem shop in Billings was for sale. Drawn back to Montana and the outdoor lifestyle he had missed, Hal and Jean took a leap of faith and purchased the business from John Greenleaf. The Greenleaf name has remained part of the store’s identity ever since.
Building on his years of experience and knowledge of fine jewelry, Hal transformed the wholesale rock and gem shop into a fine jewelry retail store.
Billings Roots
Throughout their lives in Billings, Hal and Jean shared a spirit of adventure. They enjoyed traveling the world and visiting places such as Ireland and Spain, but Montana was always home. Hal was active in the Billings community, serving for a time as president of the Billings Exchange Club. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Jaycees.
Hal and Jean built their business around family and strong values. They created a close-knit team and regularly brought people together for gatherings and dinners, earning a reputation as the life of the party.
In 1985, the family-run business began its transition to the next generation when Hal Jr. joined the store as a full-time employee. Today, Hal Jr. and his wife, Tera, continue his parents’ legacy by operating Greenleaf’s Jewelry with the same trust, integrity and family values that guided Hal Sr. and Jean.