The team at Unique Diamonds, are one of Canberra’s most recommended jewellers. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
With origins woven into the fabric of society for thousands of years, jewellery is loved as much today than ever. As sentimental adornments, jewellery is often bought to commemorate a special occasion or mark a personal milestone.
Jewellery is also a creative form of self-expression – worn for beauty, status, and prestige. A beautifully crafted piece can transcend generations, as lasting mementos dearly cherished from times gone by.
Artfully designed and meticulously constructed, jewellery also offers that final flourish. Featuring countless combinations of precious metal and stone, a stunning piece can be worn as often or as little as desired. From rings and earrings to bracelets, necklaces, and more, jewellery can be equally representative of classical and modern design.
When it comes to purchasing that something special, everyone is deserving of jewelled perfection. Whether you are sourcing an engagement ring or a gift for someone special, you will no doubt want the best. To help you uncover the right jeweller and the finest quality piece, we’ve curated our five favourite Canberra jewellers.
What makes a great jeweller?
A great jeweller applies their skill and finesse to artfully construct your dreams into reality. Here are a few attributes that we think separates the best from the rest:
- Prestigious & principled. The best jewellers often have a reputation for being the most prestigious and principled in their field. With a well-defined brand history, these established design studios are known for the quality and calibre of their work. Aside from a glowing reputation, their credentials extend into the broader jewellery industry. Look for affiliations with the likes of GIA, the Jewellers Association of Australia, and the National Council of Jewellery Valuers.
- True artisanship. The best jewellers offer so much more than retail shopfronts. As full-service studios they are home to dedicated artisans with specialist skills and expertise directing the end-to-end process. From sketching and 3D visualisation to melting, forming, setting, and polishing these handcrafted masterpieces honour precision and technique.
- Quality & originality. The best jewellers appreciate that every purchase made is an investment in quality. They strive to deliver the highest standards of craftsmanship sourcing certified materials of superior quality. Equally, many leading jewellers present their own signature style, with hero design concepts unique to their brand. This true passion for quality and originality is what often sets them apart.
- Sustainable & ethical. Leading jewellers recognise the importance of social and environmental stewardship. In doing so, they demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices from procurement right through to design and manufacture. Whether this be a focus on ethical diamonds, recycled gold, or lab grown gems, they are doing their part to ensure future generations continue to enjoy the joy of jewellery.
- Exceptional experiences. Dealing with a leading jeweller means nothing less than exceptional customer experiences. From the sales floor and thereafter, the best jewellers offer an array specialised services for their customers. From resizing, retipping, and resetting, through to a clean and polish, they adhere to strict quality guidelines. Moreover, they are at your disposal to remake or remodel sentimental items to be adored and worn again.
The best jewellers in Canberra
Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and maintain a minimum average of 4/5 stars on both Google and Facebook reviews.
McGlades Jewellers
From humble beginnings in 1939, McGlades Jewellers have grown to become one of the regions most established jewellers. As an institution for lovers of unique design and fine jewellery, this family owned and operated studio specialise in hand made pieces.
With a team of designers, jewellers, goldsmiths, gemmologists, valuers, and re-stringers, they offer the full range of jewellery services. From custom and remodelled pieces through to repairs and maintenance they are an excellent choice.
Nathalia Garcia Mendes shared this sentiment on Google, “I absolutely love McGlades Jewellers! Love their range of jewellery. They have beautiful, unique, and high-quality pieces. The store itself is beautiful and their customer service is also a 10 out of 10. Highly recommended!!!”
Harlequin Jewellers
Engagement and wedding ring specialists, Harlequin Jewellers have a reputation of excellence when it comes to gemstones and diamonds. Proprietor and jeweller, Matthew Hengge, works directly with clientele to design and hand make unique jewelled creations.
With a passion for producing master cut stones and perfecting his clients visions, Matthew offers complimentary design consultations and promises to help find the perfect piece. Appointments at their Braddon studio or by video can be conveniently booked online.
Client Jodi Ripoll shared this feedback on Google, “We first came across Harlequin Jewellers 7 years ago, when Matt worked with my husband to design a beautiful engagement ring. Matt has since been nothing short of amazing, designing and creating both of our wedding bands. We both feel very privileged to have him create such beautiful keepsakes for us and feel proud wearing his quality workmanship around.”
Creations Jewellers
Award winning Creations Jewellers are a second-generation family-owned business nestled in the heart of Manuka. Known for their modern approach jewellery, their designs are timeless, wearable and distinctly on brand.
Their talent team of experienced jewellers, designers, gemmologists, and diamond graders take pride in creating one-of-a-kind pieces that span generations. Services include custom designed and handmade pieces, remodelling, repairs, restringing, along with cleaning and checking. Additionally, their jewellery insurance, valuation, and engraving round out the offering.
Nicole Wicks had this to say on Google, “My husband and I have been customers of Creations for 10 years and have always had a positive experience. Ben designed my engagement/wedding ring and, most recently, my 10-year anniversary ring, both of which are absolutely stunning. I have at least 10 items of jewellery from Creations, and I adore every single one. I highly recommend Creations to anyone looking for unique beautiful jewellery and great customer service.”
Aharoni Jewellery
Jeweller, Eytan Aharoni, is widely known for creating truly beautiful and distinctive designs. Working alongside his wife, their ethos centres on the belief that quality jewellery must be created – not mass produced.
Located in Bunda Street, they work with all manner of precious stones, metals, and rare gemstones. As a Mokume Gane specialist, they have also commissioned special projects. Services include design and creation of custom-made pieces, remodelling, and repair.
As Stefan Mrt stated on Google, “If you are looking for passion, artistry, expertise in rare stones and a very customer-centric, tailored experience, look no further! The Aharoni family has got you covered. Thank you both for helping me making a very important life milestone incredibly special!”
Looking for the perfect gift for someone? Check out our articles on the best gift experiences and the best gift shops in Canberra for some inspiration!
Your experience with jewellers in Canberra
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback, if you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you worked with a fantastic jeweller in Canberra? Did they help you design a gorgeous piece of jewellery that is perfect for your occasion? We want to hear about it. Share your favourite jewellers and your experience in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a GIA certified diamond?
A GIA certified diamonds have been graded by the Gemmological Institute of America and come with a universal certification of authenticity. Grading covers a stones carat, colour, clarity and cut, along with proportions and any notable inclusions.
How can I make the four C’s work for me?
Developing an understanding of the four C (carat, colour, clarity and cut) diamond grading system can help with finding the right diamond. While your budget may be fixed, exploring moving up or down the scale on each of the four C’s can help. For example, some buyers may wish to prioritise carat while others may opt to move down in size by 20 to 30 points and focus on colour and clarity.
How do I know if my jewellery is ethically sourced?
It really comes down to doing some of your own research. Let your jeweller know that responsible sourcing is important to you and avoid purchasing gems from countries with known violations. Moreover, lab grown gemstone alternatives or recycled metals may be worth exploring. Finally, memberships with industry organisation such as The Diamond Guild Australia may provide added peace of mind.
Do I need a jewellery valuation?
A jewellery valuation, or valuation certificate, provides a detailed description and indicative value of a jewellery item. Perhaps the most common reason for needing a valuation is for insurance purposes. Additional drivers include item sale be it private or auction, as part of a property settlement, or deceased estate. Valuation certificates can be obtained for items already owned; or upon request with a new purchase from your jeweller.
Can I clean my jewellery at home?
In many cases jewellery can indeed be cleaned at home. A gentle solution of mild liquid soap and warm water in a small bowl is a simple and easy way to do so. A soft tipped brush may be used around stones and settings, and once dry, wiped down with a soft cloth. A word of warning, do proceed with caution and always check with your jeweller before attempting to clean at home. Nothing beats a professional clean and polish by your local jeweller. Do note that some stones, settings, and metals, require specialist care and are best cleaned by a jeweller.
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