John Rich Jewelers marks 160 years

The year was 1858 and Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas were participating in their historic Great Debates.

It was also the year that John Rich Jewelers was established in Painesville in 1858.

Passed down through five generations the enterprise which still carries its original name, is in full operation at 7541 Mentor Ave., just east of the Routes 306 and 20 intersection. It’s one of the oldest, if not the oldest of its kind in Ohio, according to proprietor and fifth-generation family member Craig Benson.

The originator of the lineage was John Rich, who emigrated from England in the mid-19th century and served a seven-year apprenticeship in the skilled craft.

After working out of his home for the first few years he established a business at 162 Main St., the building now housing Conway Land Title Company.

In an early photo of the store, a sign advertises the services of jeweler and optician. In those days it was common for jewelers to wear two hats as some of the equipment used for creating jewelry could also be used to make eyeglasses.

Over the years the business moved to other locations in Lake County before landing at its current spot.

Only 3- to 5-percent of family businesses survive to the fourth generation, according to an article by Craig E. Aronoff on the Family Business Consulting Group website.

Benson noted that his forefathers’ business has earned such successful longevity because of standards set from the start to which they’ve adhered — integrity and excellent craftsmanship.

“One of the things we pride ourselves on is honesty. We don’t take shortcuts, we do it the right way,” he said.

The Lake County native, who has worked in the family endeavor for 30 years, holds several certificates earned through his studies with the Gemological Institute of America.

At John Rich Jewelers mountings are made using heavy gold and gems are of high quality. Almost all work is completed in-house.

“The biggest difference with us is diamond quality, not just color and clarity but cut as well. The cut is a large portion of the value of the diamond and is what gives the diamond its brilliance,” he said.

Despite the draw of the Internet Benson claims there will always be need for jewelers because of the services required for repairs and making that special purchase of an engagement ring from a trusted store.

Recently, frequent patron Patrick Cost of Mentor stopped in to pick up a watch that had been serviced.

“I’ve had situations with others that I didn’t want to trust and so once I found a good one I wanted to stick with him. You can trust him,” Cost said of Benson. “I could have gone to a kiosk in the mall but I had that done once and they ruined my watch.”

Several store ads preserved from decades ago revealed how inflation has made its mark.

One announcing the store’s anniversary in 1933 shows a women’s ring set valued at $5. Today that same jewelry would cost approximately $1,000, Benson said.

As with any business, trends in jewelry come and go. However, some pieces remain classic. For example, a simple solitaire band and pair of diamond stud earrings are always in demand.

Benson said he’s always happy to see people’s faces as they open a reset or repaired piece and exclaim “It didn’t even look that good when we bought it!”

An exhibit showcasing the store’s vast history is featured this year at the Lake County Historical Society in Painesville.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/ JohnRichJeweler/ or call 440- 951-0008.

JEAN BONCHAK — THE NEWS-HERALD Patrick Cost of Mentor, left, waits for Craig Benson of John RIch Jewelers to put the finishing touches on his watch that was serviced at the business in Mentor.