ST. CHARLES – After two decades of providing diamonds of all shapes and sizes – as well as precious metals and other gemstones – Diamond Mart in St. Charles will close its doors.

And that could mean cut-rate deals for those in the market for the sparkling, shiny pieces peddled at the St. Charles store.

Diamond Mart owner Randy Matz said he intends to wind down operations at the store by mid-June. However, the closing date will depend entirely on when the store’s inventory is sold off, Matz said.

“I’ve spent all these years filling up these vaults,” Matz said. “Now, we’re emptying them out, and selling them off at steep discounts.”

Matz has operated Diamond Mart’s stores for more than two decades. He opened a store in Naperville in 1989. He followed that with a store in St. Charles two years later.

Matz sold his original St. Charles storefront near First Street in the city’s downtown in 2007.

The space was renovated and incorporated into the La Tratorria Zaza restaurant shortly after.

Matz relocated his store to the corner of Randall Road and Dean Street in St. Charles, purchasing and renovating the former EFS Bank building.

Matz said the move produced the results he was looking for, as business picked up and his store gained visibility on one of the Tri-Cities’ busier intersections.

But less than four years after relocating, Matz said he decided the time has come for him to retire.

“I’m just tired of retail,” Matz said. “It’s been a great experience, and I love this area. But it’s time to move on to something else.”

Matz said his retail operation has been hurt by the economic recession, just as most other retail operations. But he said any loss of sales compared to previous years was “not the deciding factor” in his decision to close.

Matz said he intends to move to California, and work as a diamond wholesaler, supplying diamonds from around the world to retail jewelers.

While the St. Charles location will be closing, Matz said his sons may reopen the Naperville location under a new name.

But that has not yet been decided.

He said he intends to sell the current location. It will hit the market once the store is closed.

However, Matz said none of his current employees will be without a job. He said all of his employees were informed of the pending closure six weeks ago, and all have found new jobs.

“It’s a win-win for everybody,” Matz said.