EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-38958, 333-50159, 333-47601, 333-14895, and 333-70510) of Whitehall Jewellers, Inc. of our report dated March 4, 2003 (except for Note 21 as to which the date is April 29, 2003) relating to the financial statements and financials statement schedule, which appears in this Form 10-K. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chicago, Illinois April 30, 2003.