GROSSE POINTE WOODS — As it celebrates its 65th year in business today, Ahee Jewelers, one of Detroit’s largest, oldest, and most successful jewelry retailers, will add a unique award to its already long list of national and international recognitions. Ahee will become the first jeweler in the U.S. ever to receive the Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.
Known for its extensive reviews of restaurants and of the travel industry, the Academy has expanded its ratings to cover other products and services. Ahee is the first jeweler ever to win the prestigious international award for outstanding quality and customer service.
“After 65 years of helping our customers to celebrate the special moments of their lives, this is a very special moment for us,” said Ahee President, Peter Ahee. “We’re humbled and honored by this recognition and thrilled that it’s coming to Michigan rather than to Paris or New York or Los Angeles, and we understand what it will take to keep it here so that the Five Star Diamond Award will become another Ahee tradition and not just a one time event.”
“Ahee has traveled a long road to now reach the height of jewelry style, service and quality,” said the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences in a statement. “From opening in the lobby of a bowling alley to being named best jewelers in the United States by National Jewelers four years in a row is a remarkable achievement.”
Beyond receiving the Five Star Diamond Award, Ahee will celebrate its sparkling 65th anniversary with several other announcements and activities Oct 9. The company will unveil its unique design, $250,00065th anniversary “Rocks of Ages” jewelry ensemble, 65 carats of significant diamonds cut from a stoneover a billion years old. It will also show unique, one-of-a-kind pieces specially designed by Roberto Coin and Ivanka Trump in honor of Ahee’s anniversary, and will preview its exclusive Matilda Dodge Wilson Collection of fine jewelry.
“We’re a family business and we’re passionate about it,” says Ahee. “Virtually everyone in our family has been involved with the business in one way or another for three generations. We pride ourselves on our commitment to and understanding of the business and of our customers and we instill it in our kids from the time they’re old enough to understand.”
Edmund T. Ahee started the company in a bowling alley at Harper and Van Dyke in Detroit in 1947. He brought his children and grandchildren into the business as soon as they were ready and encouraged them to share his passion and to learn everything they could about gems. Because of that commitment, according to the Gemological Institute of America the Ahee family has more in-depth education and training in the jewelry business than virtually any other jeweler in America.
Ahee family members have done everything from designing, evaluating and purchasing rare and precious stones to selling them and designing the company’s website and social media programs. Currently 16 family members ranging in age from 18 to 82 are actively participating in the business where Edmund Ahee’s mantra, “give the customers more than they expect,” lives on. Ahee customers come from all 50 states and several foreign countries.
“We’re very proud to be celebrating 65 years in business,” said Bettejean Ahee, widow of Ahee founder Edmund T. Ahee and Chief Executive Officer, “and we’re grateful to all our customers who helped us get here. And we’re equally proud of our continuing commitment to the community, especially the more than$5 million we’ve raised through the years for the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. Philanthropy and community involvement are core values at Ahee and always will be.”