Our Story
Three Generations of Old-World Artisan Craftsmanship
Hannon Jewelers has served Baton Rouge since 1980 but our story starts much earlier in Managua Nicaragua. The Jiron-Hannon family has a long tradition in the fine art of designing and handcrafting fine jewelry that begun with the family business, Joyeria Lopez in 1940.
Bayardo Jiron-Hannon, our owner, is a third-generation gemologist who learned the craft from his mother and great grandmother. Bayardo’s great grandmother, Catalina Aceveda Rueda owned Joyeria Lopez, one of the best-known jewelry stores in Managua, Nicaragua. Joyeria Lopez was known for its attention to craftmanship and trained many local craftsmen. Bayardo remembers spending time in the store as a child and being fascinated with the craftsmen in the back of the store creating beautiful jewelry pieces.
The business then survived two earthquakes and long years of economic turmoil. However, in the late 1970s, when the communist Nicaraguan government confiscated the family property and business and threatened their lives, the Jiron-Hannon family started over-- this time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In August of 1981, we officially opened for business on Essen Lane, merging our decades of expertise in handcrafting fine jewelry with modern 21st century technology. In November of 2001, we celebrated our 20th anniversary by moving into our present location at 8430 Bluebonnet Boulevard.
