The history of the Greek family business Mil–Or is set in the depths of time as more than a century ago, in 1897, the Milopoulos family created its first jewelry in gold and silver in Constantinople. At that time, the Greek element was distinguished for its elegance and nobility, despite the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Constantinople. The name Milopoulos immediately emerged as a synonym for high aesthetics in the field of jewelry.

In 1928, the Milopoulos family arrived in Greece and settled permanently in Thessaloniki. Then Konstantinos Milopoulos, still in his teens, revealed his talent in the manufacture of handmade jewelry and utensils, as a result of which he immediately became famous for his creations. A few years later, in 1937, the Jewelry Production Workshop ‘‘Konstantinos Milopoulos – Mil–Or’’ was inaugurated in the city of Thessaloniki. Being the largest of its time, the workshop manufactured and supplied the best jewelry stores in Greece with unsurpassed creations.

In the decades that followed, the Mil-Or brand acquired a solid foundation in the jewelry and precious stones sector and the company created its own showcase in the Thessaloniki market. Fast forward to the present, 120 years after the beginning of Mil-Or in Constantinople, the family business is continued dynamically by Eleni Milopoulou – Kountouraki, daughter of Konstantinos Milopoulos and his granddaughter Eva Kountouraki.

In a truly elegant and sophisticated space where the Mil-Or jewelry store is housed, on 21 Karolou Dil Street, you will discover elegant and timeless jewelry with or without precious stones, gold creations, beautiful children’s and men’s jewelry, while for the most important days of your life, such as those of wedding, engagement and baptism, Mil-Or presents us with a complete range of unique jewelry designs.

Getting to know the owners of the family business

At Mil-Or, history and experience become one with aesthetics and creativity. Eleni Milopoulou-Kountouraki and her daughter Eva Kountouraki are the soul of the business as they continue the successful path that Konstantinos Milopoulos has set in the field of high jewelry.

In a conversation with Eva Kountouraki, she shares with us her and her mother’s studies and activities. “I have studied Gemology, a science that specializes in the appreciation and identification of precious stones, Diamondology and jewelry design, while at the same time I worked for years as a Gemology instructor (GIA Resident Gemology Instructor) at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). At the same time, I hold the specialized Jewelry Business Management Diploma. My international career continues successfully, maintaining important collaborations with international bodies, schools and companies, such as the HRD Institute, the Central American Diamond Exchange, gemological institutes in the Middle East, as well as distinguished schools in Europe, where I teach on the appreciation and recognition of precious stones and diamonds, as well as its application in jewelry.”

Eva Kountouraki surprises us without a doubt, with the wealth of knowledge and activities she has developed over the years, regarding high jewelry. She herself is a member of the world organization of accredited gemologists and, being a gemstone and jewelry consultant, provides professional advice and helps buyers to always make successful purchases that satisfy their desires.

“Through the Mil-Or boutique, I design jewelry with meticulously selected precious stones and diamonds, resulting in exclusive creations and beautiful memories that last forever through luxurious jewelry. I also serve as editor of the gemological section of the distinguished Jewellery Historian Magazine,” Eva Kountouraki tells us.

On the other hand, Eleni Milopoulou’s professional experience spans over 45 years. With studies in business administration and public relations, she became President of Mil-Or in 1990 and developed it significantly to meet the needs of the modern market. Eleni Milopoulou was an active member of the board of directors of the Thessaloniki Jewelers and Watchmakers Association for many years.

“My mother, using her passion and experience as a guide, built exclusive partnerships with talented goldsmiths and jewelry designers while developing and creating special collections of handmade jewelry, for the needs of the boutique but also for the people who choose it,” Eva Kountouraki adds about her mother.

Timeless jewelry of high quality and aesthetics that accompany us in every aspect of our lives

All the jewelry designs that you will discover at Mil-Or are characterized by elegance and timeless luxury, underlined by shiny details without creating any stylistic exaggeration. Gold creations with or without precious stones, necklaces and pendants, crosses for women and men as well as baptismal rings, wedding and engagement rings combined with elegant single stone rings, are just a sample of the unique jewelry designs you will encounter when you come to the jewelry store.

“At Mil-Or we help our customers find the right jewelry either to complement their personal style and emphasize their outfit, or because they wish to project their prestige, to seal an important event, to please a loved one or to reward themselves and create the impression they desire. Feeling good about ourselves has no age or gender restrictions, so in our store you will find jewelry made of gold with selected precious stones and diamonds, which respond to all occasions and appeal to all ages and personalities. We do not embrace the philosophy of fake jewelry that advocates cheap materials and transient fashion trends, on the contrary, we believe in the beauty, value and durability of materials and especially in timeless elegance,” Eva Kountouraki emphasizes.

Due to the specialized studies that both she and her mother have developed in jewelry design and the deep knowledge of precious stones and metals that they possess, many of Mil-Or’s jewelry creations are designed and manufactured by them, in collaboration with a team of professional goldsmiths, diamond setters and 3D designers.

In addition, you will also discover many special pieces from major European companies in the field of high jewelry. The owners of the business travel a lot outside of Greece and this has had the happy result of creating partnerships with distinguished jewelry manufacturers abroad.

“Mil-Or has been famous for its special jewelry of high aesthetics and quality since the beginning of its history. For classics but also for modern designs that are not available anywhere else. People have always chosen us for the opportunity they had, with a visit to our store, to make valuable purchases safely and comfortably in a luxurious and elegant environment. When the consumer comes to our store, he has the opportunity to choose from a multitude of options and to discuss with the accredited experts of Mil-Or, so as to learn all the information he needs about each piece of jewelry. In addition, we are always there to provide the people who visit us with the appropriate advice and the right guidance for an excellent shopping experience,” Eva Kountouraki shared with us.

The jewelry store also undertakes custom-made constructions on request, as a result of which the dreams of each consumer can become reality.

Emphasis on excellent quality and the satisfaction of all needs

At Mil-Or, the central philosophy that characterizes the company is the fact that gold jewelry is the best way to convey feelings and moments in time.

As they very characteristically tell us, “we always focus on the high quality of the materials and the work required for each piece of jewelry, so that each of our precious creations gives its owner pleasant feelings for many years. We pay attention to the symbolism that each buyer wants to give to the jewelry they choose to acquire or manufacture, and guided by the honesty and professional ethics as well as the accredited training that characterizes us, we always offer excellent results. Aesthetics and elegance, functionality, timelessness and high quality, are the philosophies that guide us. We treat the creation of each piece of jewelry as a special project, regardless of its final price, and we focus the same study and attention on the smallest detail for its completion. Starting from the initial inspiration, the design on paper, the 3D design, the construction, the setting of the stones, reaching the final finish. Our team is made up of experienced and specialized professionals and our jewelry is always meticulous, in terms of the quality of the gold and precious stones, as well as their construction.

At Mil-Or, the owners invest heavily in knowledge and specialized professional training, so that the consumer feels safe and happy with their purchases. The company never forgets that the acquisition of a precious jewel has a high emotional and possibly high financial value. What has made the jewelry store stand out is that from the beginning of its history until today, it has made sure to follow the highest standards of professional behavior, which in precious jewelry is translated as attention to detail in construction but especially in quality materials, such as precious metals and gemstones. Mil-Or never stops renewing its collections, remaining faithful to the style and character of the jewelry it offers.

In all these years of operation, the company has managed to be loved by the people of Thessaloniki and beyond, resulting in regular visitors who choose it on a permanent basis for their purchases.

“The name Mil-Or is tied to the history of precious jewelry in Greece, based in Thessaloniki, from 1897 to the present day. It is our pleasure and honor that we are trusted, preferred and supported by regular visitors, and that over the years the store-consumer relationship has turned into a friendly relationship. We are grateful that through our jewelry we become part of people’s personal or family history. It is a great joy to see Mil-Or jewelry worn by many generations, even within the same family, and it often happens that we adorn the new members of families with our jewelry, who years ago had chosen our store for their wedding jewelry. This relationship of honesty and respect is two-way, so every day we have the joy of receiving positive comments and recognition from the world,” Eva Kountouraki confessed to us with pride.

Mil-Or is also quite active on social media such as Instagram, Facebook & TikTok, which are used as more than just a means of promoting products. Through social networks and in collaboration with the gemologist and jewelry consultant, the company shares stories and information with the public, offers advice and tips on precious stones and jewelry, answers people’s questions and communicates with them on any issue related to the subject that concerns them. Social media is an additional window of communication with the public, who wishes to learn more about precious jewelry from experts. You can also discover all of Mil-Or’s jewelry designs on the store’s official website www.milor.gr