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