Usually on holiday I avoid looking into jewellers’ shop windows; either I am invariably disappointed or it tends to make me feel I have not truly escaped from the normal routine. During my recent visit to New Zealand I was fortunate to be asked to visit the Eyris Pearl farm - too good an opportunity to turn down.

Imagine my surprise when late in the afternoon, near dusk, I arrived at the small pier at Akaroa and peered at the bright blue buildings stuck out in the bay with the lovely mountain backdrop, to find a small shop at the end selling a large and varied range of jewellery. Murray Brereton is the man behind this venture selling some very fine jewellery set with the local blue pearls; truly if ever there was a business promoting the local product this was it, but even more surprising is that Murray is not only the owner but designer, maker and inspiration behind the shop’s obvious success. His workshop is truly a Heath Robinson creation the likes of which it is hard to imagine.

 

 

When I walked in Murray was esconced at his work station looking down a binocular microscope - I thought he was gem testing or diamond grading, but, no, he was setting a pearl into his latest masterpiece. When he asked if I wanted to take a look, I peered down and was near-blinded. What magnification was he using, I asked? 22 times! Wow, in the UK few setters use any magnification at all let alone such eye-wrecking power. My respect for this guy was immediate, and yet it explains why his rub-over settings are so clean and sharp.

So, if this sounds like the kind of small but original jewellers where one can shop in pleasant surroundings with seriously knowledgeable people who are passionate about what they make and sell that appeals to you, then a trip to Akaroa is thoroughly recommended by this London jeweller.

 

Brian R. Dunn RJDip FGA PJValDip
Senior Valuer
Asprey, Royal Jewellers of Bond Street, London