Girardin Jewelers

In 1890, The Springer Jewelry Company was started in Valdosta, Georgia at 301 West Central Avenue. In 1910, Mr. A.L. Girardin came to work for Mr. Charles Thompson at the Springer Jewelry Company. Mr. Girardin was the jewelry engraver, watchmaker, and salesperson, while Mr. Thompson "ran" the business.

In 1923, Girardin purchased half of the business and the name became Thompson and Girardin, and they moved to 120 North Patterson Street. In 1944, the partnership was dissolved on Mr. Thompson's death and Mr. Emil Girardin, A.L.'s son, bought into the business, changing the name to Girardin Jewelers. At that time, they moved to 303 North Patterson Street.

Girardin Jewelers became members of the American Gem Society in 1974 when L. Emil Girardin became a Registered Jeweler. William Girardin pursued his gemological training and became a Certified Gemologist Appraiser. Mr. A.L. Girardin stayed in the business until his death in November 1975. Emil Girardin sold the business to his two sons, L. Emil and William L. Girardin in 1982.

As Emil and William took the business over and managed it, they have built it into what is today. In 2003, the business outgrew it's downtown location and Emil and William built a free-standing location at 3321 North Valdosta Road. When Girardin Jewelers opened it's new location in 2003, Emil Girardin's stepson Paxton Morris became the 4th generation to work at Girardin Jewelers.

In October 2007, William Girardin retired from Girardin Jewelers and Emil Girardin and Paxton Morris became business partners. As Girardin Jewelers celebrates its 85th Anniversary, the business is experiencing unprecedented growth. Girardin Jewelers is proud to offer the area some of the world's leading jewelry brands, such as the Hearts On Fire, Tacori, Scott Kay, Martin Flyer, Roberto Coin, Judith Ripka, Kwiat, TAG Heuer and many others.

Emil Girardin was named the Southeastern United States Retail Jeweler of the Year 2008 by the 24 Karat Club of the Southeast United States at the prestigious Atlanta Athletic Club on March 1, 2008. This honor was bestowed upon Emil Girardin by many industry leaders and jewelry professionals. Emil Girardin was recognized for his contributions to the jewelry industry, proven ethics in his business practices, as well as his involvement in his own community.

Girardin store at 3321 North Valdosta Road in Valdosta, Georgia

Emil Girardin, left, and Paxton Morris, the business partners of Girardin Jewelers