VALDOSTA — Girardin Jewelers, located at 3321 N. Valdosta Road, has a flare that’s been burning for 85 years. The company that ensures that they are “a name you can trust” has been capturing the trust of South Georgia and North Florida residents everywhere.



Happy Anniversary

Celebrating its 85th year in business is Girardin Jewelers of Valdosta. Ranking among a small group of businesses in the nation who have accomplished upholding the existence of the business through third and fourth generations, the Girardin brand has established a solid reputation, as well as maintained a consistent clientele by practicing loyalty and excellent customer service.

“If people are treated fair when times are good, then they’ll be back when times are slow,” said Louis Emil Girardin, third generation Girardin and grandson of the company’s original co-founder, A.L. Girardin.

Girardin was recently named 2008 Jeweler of the Year by the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States and was honored at the Atlanta Athletic Club on March 1.

“This is quite an honor to be selected Jeweler of the Year,” Girardin said. “There were several nominees from a nine-state area in the southeast … gentlemen who have impeccable credentials and sterling reputations. I am so proud to have been selected from among this group of individuals who are held in such high regard in the jewelry industry.”

It appears that the year has been productive for the company, which boasts accolades elevating the company toward national recognition and a staff that takes pride in the purchasing experience of the client.

Approaching the 85th year has been taken with stride, despite the challenges of an ever-changing economy.

“In reference to the economy, our business isn’t facing any challenges that are different than what other businesses are facing,” said Paxton Morris, fourth generation owner and certified sales associate with the American Gem Society. “Business is strong.”



An Impressive Past

Consistently upholding a legacy doesn’t happen overnight.

Roots are secured to ensure that decades after the seed has been planted, future generations can harvest from the fruits of beginning labor.

This theory applies to the history of the Girardins as well.

According to the Girardin family, the family’s first generation, A.L. Girardin, began his career in the 1900s grading diamonds in New York City. In 1906, he traveled south and married Sallie Virginia Fry of Stockton. The two soon moved back to New York, where Girardin began work for the prestigious diamond grader Harry Winston.

In 1915, the couple relocated back to Georgia — this time to Valdosta — where Girardin began work for the Springer Jewelry Company. In 1923, Girardin, alongside Charles Thompson, became business partners, purchasing the company and renaming it Thompson and Girardin Jewelers.

Unfortunately, Thompson passed away in the 1940s, leaving an open share in the company, which Girardin’s son, Emil Girardin, purchased, forming the present day’s Girardin Jewelers.

Derived from the Girardin family, A.L. Girardin sold the family business to sons William and Louis Emil Girardin. The brothers have nurtured and matured the company into what it is today.

In November of 2003, the store moved to its current location. The family expanded the size of the company externally to keep up with the growth of the business, as well as the community.

Last year, Louis Emil Girardin and his stepson, Paxton Morris, bought out William Girardin. The plan is to pass the torch to Morris, who is now the fourth generation owner of Girardin Jewelers.

Looking back at the growth of the company, during its 85-year life span, many have wondered how success has been inevitable within the Girardin family business. Well, the explanation is a simple one.

It all started with a single concept — personal priority and family.

“My grandfather and my father taught me that personal integrity and personal responsibility is possible in a family business,” said Louis Emil Girardin. “And there should be no compromise.”



A Bright Future

The future of the company seems to be as bright as the diamonds tucked safely behind the glass displays inside the Girardin Jewelry Company’s entrance.

“We have a great community, and are blessed to be a part of it,” said Morris.

The Valdosta community has embraced the company with open arms, and the Girardins have guaranteed great product and service to the community.

When asked about how secure the quality of the company’s product and structure are, Louis Emil Girardin said, “We have some of the world’s best products, and we’ve built a facility that will last for the next 10-15 years.”

A.L. Girardin had a vision when moving to the South, which seemed to be to create a career where he could do something he loved and had great experience in, while being successful within that business’s community.

Today, that vision is still going from generation to generation.

According to the Girardin family, “Not very many people get to wake up every morning and go to a job that they absolutely love … a job that celebrates happy moments in the lives of other people, yet Emil gets to do just that.”

What are the expectations and goals of Girardin Jeweler’s from a fourth generation standpoint?

“To continue to be a good steward in the community,” said Morris.

Louis Emil Girardin is preparing his stepson to follow in his footsteps in order to continue the legacy his father and grandfather has passed down to him.

When asked what A.L. and Emil Girardin would think of the company if they were still alive today, Louis Emil Girardin responded, “My father would be thrilled, and my grandfather would be excited as well.”



The Girardin Jewelry Company has been a proud member of the American Gem Society for 40 years.

According to the Girardins, “Only five percent of the applicants who apply for membership each year are accepted. Their standards for membership are really strict and you must be recertified each year. Our excellent reputation in the industry has served us well through the years and has enabled us to acquire some of the top brands in the world.”

Among its many achievements, Girardin Jewelers was recognized by America’s Best Jewelers as one of the 2008 Couture Retail Winners. A total of 31 jewelers were selected from across the country for this honor.

To learn more about Girardin Jewelers, please call (229) 242-8546, visit www.girardinjewelers.com or send an email to info@girardinjewelers.com.