In this
little
town
08243
§4.
in what is now the Soviet Union,
was born a three-generation heritage
of fine jewelry craftsmanship.
•
Casa ian
Sea
At last, after the First World War, Armenia
was absorbed—by Russia on the east and
Turkey on the west. Its people were scattered
to the winds, the Darakjian family with them.
Black
Sea
Mt Ararat A
• Yerevan
ARMENI
EY
It all began in the village of Yerevan, near the landing of
Noah's Ark.
It was there, in a country called Armenia, that Hagop
(Jacob) Darakjian and his wife Pepron started their little shop.
The Armenians had long been known for their distinctive
jewelry, and they carried on a thriving trade throughtout the
old world.
Jacob Darakjian taught his craft to his son John, who showed
a rare gift for jewelry design. As John's apprenticeship grew, he
began to make and sell his own lovely bracelets, pendants and
rings to neighboring lands.
In 1961, John Darakjian finally arrived in
Detroit, and soon opened a modest store in
the Metropolitan Building. Before long, he
moved to the Advance Building, designing and
making his unique pieces for jewelers in all
parts of America.
The business grew, and in 1984, under the
watchful eye of sons Ara and Armen, an
elegant new showroom opened in the heart of
Southfield's "gem district," Northwestern
Highway at Franklin.
Today—unique among Detroit's jewelers—
John Darakjian creates his distinctive designs
for hundreds of retail jewelers in twelve states.
They, of course, buy at wholesale and mark
the pieces up.
But not John Darakjian. In gratitude to his
adopted city, he still reserves his finest
pieces—and his wholesale prices—for his own
Southfield stores.
Come visit this remarkable family. They will
show you a heritage of craftsmanship, quality
and price unrivaled in the market today.
29100 Northwestern Hwy., in the Franklin Center next to Norm's.
Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. 9:30 - 6:00; Thur. 9:30 - 8:00; Sat. 9:30 - 5:00
356-7140
johi\Daralcji
The jewelry maker.
112
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1987