With 70 years comes two accolades for Fla. jeweler

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oral Gables, Fla.--In-time for its 70th anniversary, family-owned and operated Jae’s Jewelers, as well as one of its employees, has been honored for achievements and work in the local community. 

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce has recognized the retailer with two awards in recent months-- the Retailer of the Year distinction in December, and the Retail Businesswoman of the Year honors for sales manager and Graduate Gemologist Jillian Hornik.

On. Dec. 11, the Chamber of Commerce held its annual Diamond Awards luncheon at the Coral Gables Country Club, where it honored Jae’s Jewelers with the Retailer of the Year award in an event that included many family and friends.

Businesses nominated for the award were judged on criteria including excellence in business achievement, corporate citizenship, customer service and workplace environment.

Additionally, when the chamber held its annual Businesswoman of the Year awards on March 6 at the same venue, Jae’s Jeweler’s Sales Manager and Graduate Gemologist Jillian Hornik was awarded the Retail Businesswoman of the Year award.

More than 200 guests were at the luncheon to recognize local women who demonstrate excellence in both their professions and when it comes to philanthropy. The nominees were narrowed down to 25 finalists in eight categories recognized that day.

Jae’s Jewelers originally was founded in Miami in 1945 by watchmaker George Hornik after he served in the Navy during World War II. In 1956, Hornik and his wife, Helena, moved the store to Coral Gables; it has been in this location on the city’s “Miracle Mile” for the past 58 years.

Their son Bruce joined the business in 1972 and is the current owner of the store. A certified graduate gemologist, he also is the one who transitioned Jae’s from a watch repair store into a retailer selling costume jewelry and later, into a full-service fine jewelry retailer.

Jae’s also has since entered its third generation of involvement from the Hornik family. Both of Bruce’s daughters--Jennifer and Jillian--are graduate gemologists from the Gemological Institute of America and now are involved in the business.