A modest jeweler who became jeweler of the year French Canada

He started repairing watches and jewelry in the basement of his parents' house.Forty years later, JeanLangevin owns three jewelry stores and a manufacture in addition to having been elected jeweler of the year twice rather than a.

Born in Henryville and the son of a farmer, JeanLangevin was moved to Iberville at the age of 10.And nothing predestined him to become a jeweler."I was a guy of hunting, fishing and farm," he said.

But the father of his girlfriend at the time had a jeweler as a friend, so that JeanLangevin often heard about jewelry.At the end of his secondary studies, he met an orienteer at the versatileMarcel-Landry and was intrigued to learn that there was a jewelry school inMontreal.

"I thought it was taught from father to son.The orienteer told me to find four or five friends to visit school on Friday afternoon.When I came back from there, I told my mother and my father that I wanted to take a course in watchmaking-bijouterie, "recalls JeanLangevin.

Studies

He then started his studies at theMontreal Watchmaking-Bijouterie Institute in 1977.For two years, he made the Saint-Jean-Montréal trip in bus.In 1979, he graduated and settled in his parents' basement to repair watches and jewelry.

"I could make repairs, but I didn't have a Cenne to buy jewelry.I did hand counters with shag mat and opened there with a little stock.My grandmother helped me buy my equipment and a little jewelry.I had 35.I started it quietly and today, I'm still there, "says JeanLangevin.

Subsequently, he took courses at theMontreal jewelry school, located on Bleury Street.Then, he took a six -month break in 1984, the time to go to Los Angeles to live various experiences while working in a jewelry.

When he returned from the United States, he opened his first branch on Boulevard d'Iberville, at the corner of rue Héroux.In 1989, he bought the Selinor jewelry store, which allowed him to settle at the Laplant crossroads.He will stay there until 2011, when he chose to move his business on boulevard Saint-Luc in order to take advantage of the development of this sector.

Expansion

In 1996, the jeweler Serge Lebeau, who had a shop at the Halles Saint-Jean, retired.The acquisition of the business allowed JeanLangevin to open a second branch.In 2000, he enlarged this premises.

"I used the counters to open a store in Saint-Constant and have expansion.I knew there was not a lot of jewelry in this sector, "recallsM.Langevin.In 2012, this jewelry store was moved on Route 132 in Delson.The owner took the opportunity to harmonize the decor to that of his two branches of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

En 2006, JeanLangevin a eu une nouvelle opportunité, celle d’acheter la manufacture Émotion, située sur la rue Chabanel àMontréal, qu’il renomme Tech-Émotions. Une partie de la création de JoaillerieLangevin y est faite ainsi que celle destinée aux autres bijouteries.

Creation

"We make repair, creation and tailor -made jewelry.When we do not do the internal repairs, we send them there.And we bought a clientele of jewelers who do business with us as wholesaler.We are a manufacturer-creator, ”explains the father of Lydie and Jade, aged 23 and 28 years of age respectively.

JeanLangevin a aussi acquis, puis fermé divers commerces, dont un magasin à Québec."We had bought kiosks in various shopping centers, such as in Saint-Bruno walks, which we closed about three years ago.We have kept the most mature jewelry stores and the manufacture, ”underlines this unconditional fan ofMontreal Canadians.His office is also lined with autographed executives from several former CH players, including Patrick Roy, José Théodore and Jean Béliveau.

Gemology

En 1996, JeanLangevin a obtenu sa certification de gemmologue."Gemmology is the science that studies gem quality precious stones," he said.Thus, this formation allowed him to acquire knowledge linked to colored stones, diamonds, crystallization, the origin of the stones, their chemistry, their quality, their size and their color.

"I had an attraction for that.The diamonds are all the same, but the stones of color have a very wide variety and that intrigued me, "he says.In 1998, the company embarked on the creation of jewelry.M.Langevin a ensuite l’opportunité de se rendre en Polynésie française en compagnie de quelques gemmologues.

«L’École de gemmologie deMontréal avait été sollicitée pour faire la promotion de la perle de Tahiti à Tahiti»», relate celui qui réside sur l’île Sainte-Thérèse depuis 32 ans.Its role was to assess and classify pearls.He also participated in auctions where the group of gemologists was able to acquire pearls.

«Au retour, on a fait le partage des perles et c’est là que j’ai commencé à faire la création de bijoux ornés de perles de Tahiti»», se souvient JeanLangevin.

Long road

Ses réalisations ont notamment été vendues aux Salons des métiers d’art deMontréal et de Québec.The jeweler returned to Tahiti in 2002 with his wife, Sylvie Boulanger, to buy other lots of pearls in order to make new creations.

"I made a long way in the pearl and I trié," says the Johannais creator. Lorsque la demande pour la perle de Tahiti a diminué, JeanLangevin s’est tourné vers le diamant canadien et le diamant québécois.

The jeweler returns freshly from Arizona where he attended the American Gem Trade Association Gemfair Tucson.He took the opportunity to come back with a lot of coral stones, the 2019 Pantone color.These stones will enter into the creation of its new jewelry.

Noted?

JeanLangevin n’a pas de projet d’expansion, mais il reste à l’affût des offres."I look at the opportunities.If I have the expansion to take, it won't be to go to another city and open a new store.It will probably be to acquire a company that is already recognized, which has a good reputation and a good turnover.»»

Même s’il n’a que 58 ans, JeanLangevin commence déjà à penser à préparer la relève de son entreprise. «La retraite n’est pas fixée, loin de là»», précise celui qui a joué au hockey jusqu’à l’âge de 46 ans.Mais il souhaite entamer ce long cheminement afin d’être bien préparé.

Since last year, a consultant has been hired to identify potential people at the next generation within the company and in the entourage. «C’est pour assurer la pérennité»», dit-il.Twenty people work in the three jewelry stores and 32 work at Tech-Émotions.

Même s’il indique que le domaine de la joaillerie n’est pas en pleine expansion, JeanLangevin mentionne que son entreprise réussit à faire de bonnes années.

"What helps us a lot is to have all the hats.It is to be able to create, to repair and reshape. Celui qui achète et qui vend est en voie d’extinction»», croit JeanLangevin.

En 2004 et en 2018, il a d’ailleurs été nommé «Bijoutier de l’année»» par l’Association canadienne des représentants en bijouterie."It is a recognition. C’est le fun d’être reconnu par ceux qui sont dans l’industrie»», réagit le principal intéressé.