Our History

The year was 1917.  Isadore Schach left Poland with his two cousins to follow their dream of a new life in America.  Sons of jewelry merchants in Warsaw and Krakow, the young men arrived at Ellis Island carrying very little luggage and speaking no English.

As was often the case, their names were altered as their papers were prepared. Isadore became Isidor.  Schach became Shah. His name was changed, but not his dream.

Isidor Shah traveled on to Washington D.C. where his uncle owned a jewelry store.  Pawning a single gem that he had carried from Poland, he purchased new clothes.  With each day he learned the jewelry trade and acclimated himself to his new home.

In 1925, he and one of his cousins opened "Oppenheimer and Shah" jewelry store.  (His other cousin founded Shah Optometrists).  When Isidor married Emily in 1930, he left "Oppie" and with his wife opened the first “Shah and Shah” jewelry store at 921 F Street.  Twenty years later their son, Frank, helped him open the second store six blocks away, at 615 15th Street.  At one point in time, all three cousins were operating successful businesses within the same block.

Michael Frank Shah is the third generation of Shah jewelers serving the Washington area.  He started at the age of twelve working for his father and grandfather - cleaning silver, sweeping sidewalks, and washing windows - all the while absorbing the finer points of detail and design.  Michael holds the title of Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).  He still subscribes to the "old world" customer service values he learned from his family.

Faith Pettit Shah is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and jewelry designer.  A dancer by training, she embraced her husband’s family business and is now the catalyst behind many exclusive Shah & Shah designs.

Michiko Lecuyer is a graduate of the GIA Diamond Program and is completing her Graduate Gemologist studies.  She is the office operations manager and designs jewelry.

Amanda DeRoche is a graduate of the GIA Diamond Program and is completing her Graduate Gemologist studies.  She also designs & makes jewelry and is well-versed in jewelry manufacturing and repair processes.

For generations, the Shah name has been synonymous with exceptional quality and service.  We invite you to stop by to meet us today.   You will find that we are dedicated to our customers and give personal attention to the smallest detail.

For over 75 years we have served clients in the Washington area.  We look forward to meeting you!

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