Henry B Ball West

henry b ball was a young man who began his career as jeweler's apprentice in akron, ohio. he opened his first retail storefront in the first national tower, downtown akron. he quickly outgrew the space and relocated to the sheraton-mayflower hotel in 1954. "ball jewelers"​ was a destination... "the place to go"​ for your wedding jewelry, diamonds, watches, china, silver and so much more! in 1976, henry's son walter "skip"​ ball and his wife mary opened a second location in pilgrim square, known today as henry b ball west. skip and mary were the first husband and wife certified gemologists in the united states and had the first certified gem lab in the state of ohio. their expertise in fine jewelry and gemstones led them around the world in the 50's, 60's and 70's. some of their travels included the kimberly diamond mines in africa, where mary personally witnessed 2,000 + carats per day being mined. they also traveled to burma for rubies, japan for pearls, and tanzania for tanzanite, al