Since first opening our brick and mortar store in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1974, Abracadabra Jewelry has become the area’s trusted source for fine, eco-conscious rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and more. We have expanded our offerings to include custom jewelry design and production, repairs, and appraisals. Our shop and gallery features exclusive national designers, fair trade international artisans, and local independent artists, including several world-class metalsmiths who are current or former members of our own crew.
Abracadabra was founded by Steven Lesse. In his last year at Wayne State University in Detroit, Steven — who had started making jewelry in 10th grade — was commissioned to make a dozen replicas of the ‘Om’ pendant he had made for his own everyday wear (and which he still wears to this day). When fulfilling that order inspired even more orders, Steven saw a career path materialize in front of him. After having a fun and lucrative time squatting (selling while not paying for an official booth) at the 1973 Ann Arbor Art Fair, he moved to Ann Arbor and started Abracadabra the following year, moving the shop to its current location at 205 East Liberty St. a couple years later.
In 1998, Steven became acquainted with Katherine at Ann Arbor’s Top of the Park Summer Festival and persuaded her to become Abracadabra’s General Manager. On New Year’s Eve 1999, then-mayor Ingrid Sheldon presided over their wedding in a candlelit ceremony in the front of the store. Nowadays, Steven has largely settled into retirement, but Abracadabra carries on under the guidance of the Lesses with a team of managers, bench jewelers, and sales staff. Five decades in, we’re proud to be an Ann Arbor institution, and honored to be entrusted with making the jewelry that tells your stories!