Our History
FIRST GENERATION
1870's. Sam and Ida Schreibman establish a jewelry manufacturing company in the small village of Kubrin, Poland. Sam managed the business end, made jewelry, and repaired watches, while Ida would travel throughout Poland in a horse drawn carriage, selling Sam’s creations. As the children began to grow, Sam realized the family would have better opportunities in America.
1918. Sam and his sons, Alvin and Wilfred, immigrated to the United States and settled in Cleveland, while Ida and her daughters sustain the jewelry business in Poland.
Sam opens a jewelry store in downtown Cleveland at East 37th and Woodland. Alvin and Wilfred sold newspapers and balloons on the street corner while Sam was fervently growing his jewelry business. The store was not only their place of business, but it was also their home, as they created living quarters in the backroom.
1923. Sam, Alvin and Wilfred become citizens of the United States and the business begins to show a modest profit. Sam felt it was time to unite his family, so at that time, his wife and two daughters came to Cleveland to join them.
SECOND GENERATION
1931, With his keen entrepreneurial spirit brewing inside of him during the height of the depression, twenty-six-year-old Alvin takes a risk and opens his first jewelry store, Alvin’s Jewelers. The store was in Cleveland on East 55th and Broadway.
1934. Alvin marries Edith B. Rubin, who becomes not only his life partner, but his business partner, as well.
1936 - 1940.
Larry, Richard & Marcia are born. Alvin and Edith were a deliberate, thoughtful couple: all three children were born in
January so as not to disturb the December holiday season!
1950's. The children would often help in the store during the holidays and summers: selling jewelry, wrapping gifts, sweeping the floor, and making sure the showcases were spotless.
THIRD GENERATION
1964.
Alvin, along with Larry, Richard & Marcia open ALSON Jewelers on the corner of E. 26th and St. Clair Avenue, in Cleveland. ALSON, a high-end concept, proving to be the perfect complement to their already thriving Alvin’s business. Noteworthy is the fact that the name ALSON was derived from combining Alvin’s name, “Al” and his two “sons” into ALSON.
During this time the Schreibman family also operated 50 leased jewelry departments within stores like Giant Tiger, Mr. Wigs, Spartan and Treasure Island.
1972.
ALSON building expands from 5,000 to 8,000 square feet to accomodate the growing business.
1970's – 1990's.
As Alvin’s Jewelers grew into the largest retail jewelry chain in Ohio with 18 stores, the ALSON concept was
maintaining its own unique entity.
1989.
Cartier selects ALSON to become the exclusive jeweler in the state of Ohio to purvey their watch collection.
FOURTH GENERATION
1989. After spending time in Israel learning more about diamonds and business, Richard’s son, David, joins the family business.
1992.
Richard’s son, Chad, joins his family after gaining retail experience working for a prominent jeweler in Florida.
2002.
David and Chad finally find a highly desirable location in the suburbs of Cleveland and relocate from downtown to Chargin Blvd, in Woodmere. It is at this location where they create their vision for the immediate future of ALSON.
2012.
ALSON becomes an Official Rolex Jeweler, marking a significant milestone.
FIFTH GENERATION
2020.
Chad’s son, Jesse, joins ALSON. Prior to 2020, Jesse earned his Graduate Gemologist degree from the GIA and
worked in the diamond industry. He then gained more experience working at a luxury watch store in New York City.
2023.
Groundbreaking ceremony kicking off the expansion and remodel for the new ALSON.
2024. In May, Chad's son Kyle joins Alson. After several years in data analytics, Kyle attended the GIA where he studied diamonds and gemstones and subsequently worked at a luxury retail jewelry store in New York, where he gained extensive knowledge in diamonds, jewelry, watches and customer service.
August 23, Alson celebrates with a ribbon cutting ceremony as it expands its footprint, compounding the prior lucury shopping experience, forging ahead to solidify their reputation as one of the leading jewelers in the industry.
In September, David's son Jason joins Alson Jewelers. After several years working in commercial real estate, Jason earned his Graduate Gemologist degree from the GIA. Jason then worked at a luxury watch and jewelry store in New York City gaining knowledge and expertise in Swiss timepieces and fine jewelry.
In November, David's son Matthew joins Alson Jewelers. Matthew earned his Graduate Gemologist degree from the GIA. Upon receiving his degree, he worked for a luxury online auction platform specializing in pre-owned jewelry and watches. While there, he gained experience in evaluating and grading diamonds, colored gemstones, and luxury watches.
Why Alson?
Alson Jewelers is not just a retail store. We are part of the community. We have many long-time customers that we know by name when they walk in the door. The team members here really care about the guests and helping them to fulfill their needs. When customers walk out with a bag in their hand and thank us, we turnaround and thank them instead. We appreciate our customers and the fact that they're giving back to the local community by shopping with us. Our employees are well-educated and well-trained, and are committed to helping you make the right jewelry choice.
Another thing that makes us different is that we are a full-service jeweler. We have two master watchmakers and a master jeweler onsite. We do almost all repairs at the store so we don't have to send pieces back to their manufacturers.
Alson Jewelers carries everything from classic diamond jewelry to iconic designer pieces and even handcrafted specialty items. We have all of the fashion forward brands under one roof and no other jeweler in Cleveland can say that.
At Alson, jewelry is our passion. That passion is most evident when you visit our award-winning showroom: from knowledgeable personal service to an outstanding selection of diamonds in all shapes and sizes, designer jewelry, exquisite gifts and Swiss timepieces, when the occasion calls for that special gift-it can only be found at Alson.