The company Sigurd Åhman Watches Optics was founded in Älvsbyn in 1943. The founder was Sigurd Willehard Åhman, born in 1917 in Fällfors, Västerbotten. The company moved to Jokkmokk in 1944 and operated as a watch and jewelry store.
Staff was hired in 1949 and silversmithing was introduced. Finnish Tornedalen smiths were employed and the production of the so-called Lapp spoon, Jokkmokk spoon, and Karat spoon began. However, profitability proved poor, so the smiths returned home.
In the early 1960s, pewter sheets were purchased and staff began training as smiths and engravers, and production began. This was something new – pewter sheets were cheaper than silver sheets, the company had momentum and was profitable. They manufactured jewelry, utility items, and decorative objects. They used classic Sami forms and ornamentations.
In the mid-1970s, the jewelry store was sold and the focus shifted entirely to pewter production. There were about 30 employees and sales were conducted through catalogs to retailers across the country.
Sigurd Åhman retired in 1981 and the company was taken over by a daughter and son-in-law. The name was changed to JOKKMOKKS TENN Sigurd Åhman AB.
In 1997, three company employees, who are now the current owners, purchased the business, and since 1999, the focus has largely shifted towards designing and manufacturing silver jewelry.