John Darakjian, an Armenian immigrant whose life embodies the american dream, has built his business on philosophies so basic they sound like cliches: hard work, customer service, honesty, and intergrity.

Darakjian learned his craft and his business philosophy in his native Syria.  He started his apprenticeship at age 15, and he knew early on that what ever was needed to be done would serve some purpose in the future.  John Darakjian learned early on that there is only one way to be in business; with integrity, hard work, and honesty. Where he came from if any of these were not adhered to the “market” he would be working in would be closed to him.

After a three-year appprenticeship, Darakjian, at age 18, opened his own shop, where he produced 21-carat gold bracelets, rings and necklaces for retail jewelers.  He learned that fast, focused, and quality are great attributes in this business.

Over the next 10 years, Darakjian enjoyed a degree of success. Then in 1956, the Suez canal conflict broke out, forcing him to flee Syria.  His journey to America took four years and took him to Baghdad, and Brazil before landing in the United States.  “I could not speak english although I spoke Armenian, Turkish, Arabic, and some Portuguese and French.

While in Detroit visiting his brother John Darakjian, he went to see a jeweler to look for work.  As he was introduced around the shop, he noticed the work that the jewelers were doing and remembers thinking  “i can do that in my sleep”  He was offered a job at $4 an hour which was attractive enough but he did not have a work permit.

Being part of an ethnic community and a brother in town already he was introduced to an Armenian-American girl named Bergy.  After a short courtship she agreed to marry him.  Then Darakjian received his work permit and started to work downtown in the metropolitan building.  During his working, John Darakjian, began saving and putting all he could aside.  In 1964 he opened his first shop in the metropolitan building at John R and Farmer in Downtown Detroit and they had their first son, Ara., and their second son in 1967.  Throughout the 1960's and 70's Darakjian concentrated his efforts on servicing the local jewelers with repairs and custom orders and amassed a client base of 150 stores throughout the area.  Darakjian says “We worked 20 hours a day.” “You can't sacrifice business for time; you have to sacrifice time for business.  The harder you work, the better your life will be.”

Darakjian needed staff as his business grew.  Since he had always been known as an honest, focused businessman, as craftsmen came from the old country, they were sent to John.  John always had space for another craftsman.  So they were added to the staff.  Keeping the craftsmen was difficult and Darakjian couldn't blame them.  They came to this country for a better life and worked hard with the training and went off to open their own stores. But that made it difficult for Darakjian to keep his staff.

In 1976 Darakjian moved his store to the Advance Building in Southfield, Michigan.  In the early 1980's he made a decision that it would be easier to maintain his drive, delivery and livelihood if he concentrated more on retail than servicing other stores in the area.  This way he could maintain the relationship and growth of his client base.  In 1984 he opened his second store in the Franklin Center building on Northwestern Hwy.

Darakjian started to focus on retail just as he did on learning the trade, hand crafting in his younger years, and servicing other retail stores.  He made a noticeable mark in the community with his advertising campaigns that would be in publications from local to national publications.

He brought his two sons Ara, and Armen up in the business.  During weekends and summer vacations his two sons would come into the store and learn the different aspects of the business.  As the the years went on and the sons took more and more of the responsibilities of the operation, the business began to create its niche in the market that it realizes still today.

In 1992, Darakjian closes the retail store in the Advance Building and the store in the Franklin Center building to combine them both into a state of the art free standing  showroom on Northwestern highway in southfield.

During the next decade, Darakjian Jewelers employs and trains dozens of employees giving them the basics of running a business and customer service. His son Ara, becomes the and intrigal part of the business back office and his son Armen becomes the face of the store, working the sales floor daily. Traveling the world to trade shows and creating a name for Darakjian jewelers in the industry.

Today, Darakjian Jewelers is known throughout the USA with clients in europe and the far east.   They have become ambassadors of some of the worlds most prestigious brands of watches and jewelry.  With a selection of inventory and the history of how the operation was built, Darakjian jewelers is a must see.