Marquette, Michigan, circa 1985, was a magical era. It was then that Ron Wattsson’s current employer, Jean’s Jewelers, decided to close down their original shop and move up to the mall. Ron wanted to make a change. Not just any change, he wanted to create a unique line of jewelry for the people of Marquette to enjoy for years. His plan was to use the local gold from Ropes Gold Mine to create jewelry that was not only beautiful, but sentimental in so many ways to the community. Ron also wanted to give his customers the experience to create their own custom pieces with guidance and care from his experienced staff. Wattsson and Wattsson Jewelers was born. 

The accomplishments of this store didn’t go unnoticed by the town of Marquette, the state of Michigan and the Jewelry Industry. Ron entered a design contest for a sesquicentennial coin for the State of Michigan and won. Wattsson and Wattsson Jewelers would also go on to win the Michigan Jewelry Associations Best in Show/Display two years in a row, the Jim Tretheway customer service award, Business of the year and America’s Coolest Jewelry Store. 

In April of 2010, Ron passed away leaving the store to his twin children, Chris Wattsson and Ruby Wattsson.The second generation is eternally grateful for the legacy he has left behind in loving hands.

The Onsite Mine

Ron was inspired by Walt Disney and loved his saying “make it fun and they will come.” Ron believed in that, and pursued it in everything he did, including designing his jewelry store. It took countless days and nights, and some of the greatest people Ron had come to know, to build the ten-ton mine that still sits alongside the right wall of the store. The mine features displays about the areas mining history and Rope’s Gold Mine, artifacts from the mine itself, a case with minerals that glow under special lighting and fossilized dinosaur eggs. The 100 ft. mine is made from wood, mesh and plaster.

We welcome school groups, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and other youth programs to contact us at store@wandwjewelers.com or 906-228-5775 to set up a field trip.