Jewelry often marks the moments people remember for the rest of their lives: engagements, anniversaries, graduations, and gifts that become family heirlooms. For more than a century, Lewis Jewelers has helped customers celebrate those milestones, making the Ann Arbor jeweler part of generations of family stories.
While the store is now a familiar Ann Arbor destination, the family business began in Detroit in 1921 before relocating here a half-century ago. The move proved to be a natural fit for a business built on relationships and long-term trust.
“Ann Arbor has always had such a strong sense of community,” says Keith Larkin of Lewis Jewelers. “Being a university town brings a great mix of people, and the stability that comes with the University of Michigan made it an ideal place to build a business for the long run.”
More than 100 years later, Lewis Jewelers continues to thrive as a multi-generational family enterprise. The company is now led by third-generation owner David Lewis, with the fourth generation already beginning to take part in the business.
Longevity in retail — especially in an era shaped by online shopping — is no small feat. According to Larkin, Lewis Jewelers’ staying power comes down to community connection, personal service, and a willingness to evolve with customers’ needs.
“Giving back has always been a big part of who we are,” he says. “Ann Arbor has incredible schools, nonprofits, and organizations, and we try to support as many as we can. If we don’t have a strong community around us, then who are we?”
That philosophy extends to the store’s day-to-day service model. “We try to have something for everyone who walks through the door,” Larkin says. “You might come in for a $15 watch battery, or you might be creating a one-of-a-kind engagement ring. But the meaning behind it is the same. Jewelry is about connection.”
Custom jewelry has become one of the store’s most distinctive services. Many customers arrive with inspiration photos or ideas for a piece that represents an important milestone, and the Lewis team helps bring that vision to life.
“Jewelry at its heart is personal,” Larkin says. “When someone has an idea in their mind of what they want to create, our job is to make that happen.”
Technology has expanded those possibilities in recent years. Lewis Jewelers now uses digital design tools and in-store 3-D printing to create models of custom pieces before they are produced, allowing customers to see and refine a design before the final piece is crafted.
Alongside custom work, the store offers designer collections and nationally recognized jewelry brands, from Tacori to Forever Diamonds. The selection became easier to showcase after Lewis Jewelers moved three years ago into its current 11,000-square-foot showroom — a significant expansion from its previous 2,500-square-foot location.
Operating in Ann Arbor also means serving one of the most dynamic markets in the Midwest. With the University of Michigan and major hospital systems drawing students, researchers, physicians, and families from around the world, the city welcomes thousands of new residents every year, making Lewis Jewelers part of countless U-M love stories and families. Many customers return to Lewis Jewelers generation after generation, a testament to the relationships built over decades.
For Larkin, some of the most meaningful moments come from the smallest requests. Recently, a longtime customer and military veteran came into the store carrying several religious medallions he had kept in his pocket throughout multiple tours of duty. One of the pieces — a Miraculous Mary medal — had been given to him by his mother years earlier.
The rings holding the medallions together had worn down, and he hoped they could be repaired before an upcoming trip.
“It was a $15 job,” Larkin says. “But those medallions meant the world to him. Being able to fix them so he could carry them again — that’s why we do what we do.”
After more than a century in business, Lewis Jewelers continues to do what it has always done best: helping people stay connected to the moments that matter most.
Learn more at lewisjewelers.com.
Moms, Dads
& Grads
Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable Mother’s Day gift, a Father’s Day gift sure to make your dad smile, or a commemorative piece for the graduate in your life, Lewis Jewelers’ distinctive collections offer something for everyone.
1. Lewis Jewelers Collection 14kt Rose Gold Multi-Colored Emerald Cut Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet, $4,600 | 2. OMEGA 41mm Seamaster Aqua Terra Watch, $7,400 | 3. Lewis Jewelers Collection 14kt Yellow Gold Double Set Pendant with Round Yellow and Blue Sapphires, $890 | 4. Lewis Collegiate Collection 14kt Yellow Gold University of Michigan 15mm Disc Charm, $1,387 | 5. Lewis Jewelers Collection 18kt White Gold Emerald and Diamond Band, $7,095 | 6. OMEGA 30mm Seamaster Aqua Terra Watch, $7,100 | 7. Lewis Jewelers Collection 14kt Rose Gold Multi-Colored Sapphire and Diamond Ring, $975 | 8. Lewis Collegiate Collection 14k Yellow Gold Univeristy of Michigan Block M Earrings, $345, and Pendant, $720